Cheatham County Exchange
ASHLAND CITY WEATHER

Music teachers adjust to silent classrooms




Holt Hall

Holt Hall

Cheatham County Schools closed on March 16 due to the threat of the coronavirus. The students are scheduled to return on April 27, but during their time away the students have kept in touch with teachers, receiving weekly assignments via email and other technology apps.

Five music teachers shared their perspective on the situation and separation. They are: Destiny Holt Hall, band/music teacher at Cheatham County Central High School; Jared Greece, band/music teacher at Ashland City Elementary School; Maggie Mason, choir/music teacher at Sycamore High School; James Vaughn, band/music teacher at Harpeth Middle School; and Lindsay Greece, choir/music teacher at Harpeth Middle School.

“I miss the schedule and daily routine,” Holt said. “It’s hard to remember what day it is.”

Jared Greece was in full agreement, noting that he missed the normalcy. Lindsay Greece said that she missed seeing students, parents and colleagues, and added that the situation made her more thankful for the bonds she has built.

“I really miss seeing and talking to my students,” Mason said. “That’s the absolute best part of teaching, and that’s why I still do it. I still email them each day, but it’s definitely not the same.”

Vaughn, in his first year at Harpeth Middle School, said that he has been impacted overwhelmingly in part because he is getting to know the students, their parents; his peers, administration, the classroom culture, and establishing a productive set schedule and routine.

“What has impacted me the most is the fact that I’ve not seen my students in so long, and I worry about how they’re handling this transition,” he said.

Vaughn was quick to point out the positives he has seen.

“Seeing a community and teachers come together as one to show how much we care for our students by providing meals, lessons, communication it’s great to see.”

For both Lindsay and Jared Greece, the perks have included spending more time together, playing with their dogs and making more music, with Lindsay also citing the opportunity to have more time for detailing her car.

Mason appreciates being able to sleep later and also having more time with her dog.

“I’m also blown away by the number of students who are doing their best to get all of their work done,” she said. 

As for insights and self-discovery, Holt was quick to point out two key observations.

“We are not quarantine people,” she said. “It’s impossible to sit still in one place for long.”

Jared Greece learned that he likes to be able to leave the house, while Lindsay’s response was somewhat more extensive.

“I love sitting at home, except when I’ve been told to do so,” she said. “I now see that Jared doesn’t like to cook as much as he thought he did, with him having to cook more meals at home.”

Mason admitted to being more of a homebody and did not mind the social-distancing. 

“I’ve learned that I need to step it up when it comes to technology,” she said. “Who knew we were going to teach on line for a month and a half.”

With renewed confidence, she will now venture out to use a “Houseparty app” for a regular Bible study she has on Fridays with a group of friends.

Jared has received more time to work on his guitars, while Lindsay has found more time for working on her car.

“There’s more time for cleaning, but I haven’t gotten that desperate yet,” she said.

Vaughn

Vaughn

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