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While back-to-school is an exciting time for students and families, it’s also a season associated with nerves and new experiences. This is also the case for teachers heading into the classroom environment for the very first time.
For Cole Hennigar, the feelings skew more towards the excited side of the spectrum as he begins his music education career at Hedges Middle School in the St. James Assiniboia School Division where he will be tasked with the school’s choral program and the junior high band.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” he shared in an interview on Morning Light, “finally being able to be in a position to actually teach as this has been a lifelong dream of mine.”
Listen to Cole's full interview here!
Hennigar's dream became more realized when he was a high school student in the area. He cites wonderful opportunities to grow as a musician and encouragement from the teachers in his life. That encouragement from educators has continued as he has prepared for the first day in his own classroom.
“They’ve told me that the first year is always going to be the hardest, so don’t think that everything is going to go your way right from the get-go,” says Hennigar. “Don’t fear that you aren’t doing the right thing from the start. That was sort of the big one that centered around me as someone who really wants to go in and give their all and expect really good things.”
While he hopes that he will be able to foster a love for music theory in particular in his class, Hennigar’s biggest hope for the students that he teaches is that they leave the music room wanting to return to it as soon as possible. “I really want kids to be inspired by myself and who I am and the teachings that I will provide for them in a way that of course is friendly and super-engaging and exciting that heightens that drive over time, especially from that first class. I want them to get hooked into what we are building together, whether that’s one-on-one or within the entire ensemble.”