Some of you are the coolest people on the planet, and some of y’all forced me to grow some seriously thick skin and toughen up in ways I didn’t realize I could! But whether you were driving me crazy or making me laugh, so many of you made a profound impact on me that you’ll probably never fully know. Thank you for trusting me and going along with my unhinged style—it’s always been a mix of playful, honest, and firm, which I guess is all I ever wanted to be for you. We had fun, but we also worked hard. I set the bar incredibly high, and I was constantly motivated by your willingness to rise to the challenge and give me your best. To all the students who didn’t believe me at first when I promised I would get you farther than you ever thought possible—seeing the look on your faces at the end of the year when you actually accomplished the “impossible”? That is, hands down, my proudest achievement as a band director.

I will never forget the inside jokes in rehearsal that somehow turned into elaborate class projects, becoming an integral part of our group’s personality. It’s funny how a random, offhand comment on a Tuesday could turn into a full-blown tradition by Friday. Those moments became the heartbeat of our band hall. They were the things that broke the tension during tough rehearsals, reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously, and ensured that everyone who walked through that door felt like they belonged to something special. Those little moments defined our culture and who we were, and that energy continues to inspire my work!

Being a teenager is hard, and I vividly remember what it felt like to navigate those years, wanting an adult in my corner who just got it. To the kids who trusted me enough to confide in me, vent to me, or just share the daily gossip: thank you. You have no idea how much it meant to me to provide that space for you. All those little moments in between—the quick talks, the inside jokes, and the actual magic we made during rehearsals and performances—are coming with me.

Closing this chapter of my life, I realize how much of it was spent growing myself for others. I stretched significantly to become the educator, musician, and person you needed me to be. As I look ahead to a new path, I’m excited to continue growing artistically and to learn more about how I can use music to connect people and communities…just like we did together.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey. I am permanently changed by the imprint you have made on mine.

Love,

Ms. C, Bestie, Alpha Rizzler, Ms. OConnelly, Mom, Ms. Music, Ms. Canoe, Ms. Co-nail, Ms. Millenial Burger Joint, Ms. Toenail….

Ms. Connell