by Maggie McDermott, Senior Editor and Writer
Singing has always been a large part of my life, but during my freshman year of high school, I began to find myself in a rut. Singing was no longer a fun activity, but rather a tedious and monotonous chore. I was upset at how my love for it was diminishing, yet this all changed with the arrival of a new teacher at the end of the school year: Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott has transformed my view on music and inspired me to continue pursuing this passion for a long time to come.
After graduating from high school, Ms. Scott was unsure of what to pursue as a career, as she feared her perfectionist nature would lead her to overwhelm and exhaust herself from the pressure to be the “perfect teacher.” Because of this fear, she applied to a multitude of jobs following her college graduation, and soon a job appeared that seemed perfect for her (as it had a full-time salary and health benefits – two things a recent grad would love). From her first day teaching, she immediately loved it, and rather than succumbing to the impossible perfectionist standards throughout these past twelve years, she has aimed to “always do what’s best for the kids, make decisions with love and keep [her] heart open to change.”
Not only does Ms. Scott teach choir, but she teaches people. As Jackie Perez described, she has “learned more about the real world with Ms. Scott than any other classes.” Ms. Scott notes this is her favorite part of teaching, as she loves to inspire her students inside and outside the classroom.
She always acts as a support system, truly listening to her students, as she aims to understand their needs and desires. Treble Chorale student, Anna Grace, explained how Ms. Scott’s passion is evident as she “enjoys teaching us as much as we love learning. Our class becomes a safe space to share the highs and lows of life, all while improving our skill.” The term “safe space” could not be more fitting to describe her room, as those in each class not only become classmates, but rather friends. Or, as Haven McGuinn named it – “a family.”
As she runs three different choir groups, one could expect it to be difficult to coordinate and run such a large group of students. Yet, Ms. Scott takes the time to individually get to know each student’s personality and ability. She pushes each of her students to grow, forcing them outside of their comfort zones. With different courses and assignments designated to those of different skill levels, those of all areas will feel challenged and engaged. Mixed chorale student, Willie Quiceno, shared how she truly “makes you push yourself and holds you accountable” which is a reflection of her deep devotion to her students’ learning. She shares how assigning number grades is her least favorite part of teaching, as she wants her students to focus on the process of learning, rather than the final product.
Choir is the perfect mix of fun and business, as the repertoire selected is complex and intense, but never performed without a smile on the student’s faces. Those who have been lucky enough to have her as a teacher know how unique Ms. Scott’s passion for teaching truly is. No one else cares for their students in the way she does as she is truly “one of a kind” – Elizabeth Gillen
From all of your students, we are so grateful you came to work at Morristown and can not wait to see the amazing work you do in the future!