Music Teacher Reflects on Career of Note
By Katherine Cromer Brock, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas
Apr. 2–GRAPEVINE — Kathy Alexander surveyed her class of third-graders sitting in a circle on the floor, holding their recorders, getting ready to play.
“Left hand on top?” she asked. They shouted back, “Check!”
“Right thumb on thumb spot?” Check!
“Eyes on music?” Check!
“Let’s play.”
Alexander has been the music teacher at Grapevine Elementary School since it opened 12 years ago.
Inspired by her own dynamic music teacher, she decided to follow the same path, providing a strong basic knowledge and, more importantly, a love of music to her students.
After 27 years of teaching music in Grapevine, she plans to retire this year.
“It’s been a wonderful profession,” Alexander said, perched on a stool in her spacious, colorful room, which is decorated with posters of classical composers and musical notes and scales. “I highly recommend it.”
Alexander, 57, fondly remembers being a student under Madeline Hemley, the only music teacher in Grapevine when Alexander was a child.
“I loved her,” she said. “Music was my class, the highlight of my day.”
When Hemley retired, she asked that the Grapevine-Colleyville district’s music program be expanded.
Because of that, Alexander was hired to teach elementary music, something she believes is crucial for children.
Through music, children can learn about history, culture and even math, she said. And performing builds confidence.
“To be a total human being, music has to be a part of your life,” Alexander said. “This is the foundation. When they walk out of here, man, they love music. That’s what’s important.”
Over the past few years, Alexander has had several student teachers and has enjoyed passing her love of music education on to a younger generation of educators.
Alexander taught Travis Sampson when he was a student at Timberline Elementary.
Sampson, who has taught music at Bear Creek Elementary for about 10 years, gives some of the credit to his former instructor.
“She was always a positive influence,” Sampson said. “I remember working as groups together on music, and she would always have a specific part for every kid. Everyone was included.”
Sampson said he remains in awe of Alexander’s knowledge of music.
“There’s not a game that she doesn’t know,” he said. “There’s not a song that she hasn’t sung.”
Grapevine Elementary Principal Jim Calvin said Alexander will be sorely missed.
“I learned very early on when I started here that music was the focus of this campus,” Calvin said. “She’s been the only music teacher that the school has known.”
A recent third-grade class combined music, dance and history.
Students practiced an Irish folk song and jig while answering questions about the Blarney Stone and shamrocks. Then they played recorders and were excited about learning new songs.
In addition to regular music classes, Alexander directs 102 students in Grapevine Elementary’s fourth- and fifth-grade choirs, a job that she’ll miss. She is contemplating creating a summer choir or community choir for children but has no firm plan.
“To give this up completely, I’m not sure I can do it,” she said. Taking off her glasses and wiping away tears, she added, “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to share my songs with thousands of children. How many people get to do that?”
Alexander lives in Colleyville with her husband, Mike Dirmeier. She has two adult sons, both teachers, and an adult daughter.
In retirement, she and her husband plan to continue taking ballroom-dancing lessons, a new passion for them, and travel to Yellowstone National Park and New England. Alexander’s dream is to go to Italy and Vienna.
www.gcisd-k12.org
IN THE KNOW
Kathy Alexander
Age: 57
Home: Colleyville
Family: Husband Mike Dirmeier, three adult children
Occupation: Grapevine Elementary School music teacher
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Katherine Cromer Brock, (817) 685-3813 kcromer@star-telegram.com
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Copyright (c) 2006, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas
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