The best teacher of my life… Laurie Taetle
I have been involved with a theater group for over a year now, and it really has been one of the most enjoyable times of my life. It has made me think often of the teacher that I feel has had the most influence and lasting effect on my life… even to this day. I have fond memories of how she shaped my young life and I have extraordinary thanks in my heart for her. I am in hopes that in this age of Google and the internet that this message somehow makes it to her.
A little about my experience as being her student. It started at Greenfield Junior High School in El Cajon. She was the choir teacher and I had the opportunity to be in her advanced choir as a 7th grader (which was a big deal since most 7th graders had to be in beginning choir … but she moved me up). I was also in the Show Choir after school and we traveled to Disneyland and various other area competitions to compete against other schools. She really was remarkable in her ability to capture the students and have them sing solos from, what I have come to affectionately refer to as “the book”. This book had hundreds of contemporary songs in it that we could pick from to sing solos. It was a wonderful way for us to build confidence in singing in front of people. I vividly remember Mrs. Taetle pushing me to sing “Stand by Me” with Scott (and someone else?) for one of the school programs. I still remember using sand paper and a triangle for sound affects… it was a hit.
So 7th grade came and went, and Mrs. Taetle moved onto the local high school. My 8th grade at Greenfield was, needless to say, not as good as 7th. After 8th grade, I specifically moved to El Cajon Valley to follow Mrs. Taetle.
Again, the years at El Cajon Valley with Mrs. Taetle were a whirlwind. From Advanced Choir, to Boys Ensemble. Boys Ensemble, was a tremendous thrill. Girls seemed to really like it, and so did I… 
I will likely embellish this story in time with a little more vivid tale of how a shy, overweight, self conscious boy from Georgia came to California and how Mrs. Taetle changed my perception of the world and opened my eyes to how much I could enjoy music, singing, and the arts. I have since got back in touch with that feeling with the MET group and needed to share.
Mrs. Taetle, thank you. Your life has shaped mine and I am forever thankful.
CHAD
I had her, she was a very memorable person.
I wonder if that was the same Miss Taetle who taught music in Skokie, Ill. way back around 1972? The one I had for a teacher was a wonderful young woman back then. Very kind and full of life. She had long dark hair and a lot of the third grade boys had a crush on her. Could there really be two Miss Taetles like that? Bill Johnson
Hi Dean, I am very touched that you remember me from so many years ago! I posted a response on this website and I hope you get to read it. I do not do Facebook or Twitter, etc. Sorry about that but I do check this website from time to time. Thanks again!
I agree. She was the best teacher ever. I had her too for 7-8th grades. Honor choir, ensemble & show choir. DO you know how to contact her?
Did she have curly hair? I’m looking for a Laurie Taetle, too! A friend at the National Music Camp in the sixties.
Yes, I was at the National Music Camp in Interlochen during the 60s, but my name was Laurie Daniels. My name now is Laurie Daniels Taetle. Were you looking for a Taetle or a Daniels!
Yes, Laurie Daniels! I sent you a picture of yourself (and me) on your Facebook site because it was the only way I could find to reach you. Please write and I’ll send it to your email! – Gail Portnuff Venable gvenable@sbcglobal.net!!
She’s my mom! I sent her an email with the link to this blog post–it’s going to make her day! And yes, it was the same Mrs. Taetle in both El Cajon and Skokie.
Dean, I am very touched that you remember me from so many years ago! I posted a response on this website and I hope you get to read it. I do not do Facebook or Twitter, etc. Sorry about that but I do check this website from time to time. Thanks again!
Thank you Sara for sending this her way. I was always in hopes that it would reach her.
Dear Chad,
Thank you so much for your wonderful words. I have had numerous friends tell me that you posted a letter about me but it wasn’t until my daughter sent me a link to this website that I was able to read first hand your tribute. I knew immediately who “Chad” was and remember you vividly as a most cooperative student and a role model for others. Your ability to take risks, indeed, inspired me.
In response to the young man from Skokie, yes, it was my 3rd or 4th year of teaching in 1972. I am so pleased that you remember me for being kind and energetic.
Because of those experiences I had with my students, I went on to pursue a PhD in music education. I especially enjoyed teaching perspective teachers how to teach music and also loved learning how to do research. My dissertation was funded by a research fellowship from the American Association of University Women and I am published.
My students have always inspired me; I do believe my energy came from seeing the joy many of them derived from finding their singing voice, to learning how to sing in front of the class, to ultimately learning how to perform in front of hundreds of people. The arts have an amazing way of instilling confidence in young people. I am fortunate to have taught for some wonderful principals who respected me and appreciated what I tried to bring into the classroom.
Last but not least, thank you for making the effort to say these kind words. My father passed away last August at the age of 89. I am very glad he knew how much I loved him and what a wonderful father he was to me. We don’t say these things enough in this life. Instilling young people to believe in themselves is one of the most important things parents can do for their children. Likewise, for teachers.
I am glad I was able to be one of those educators. Thank you again for the reiteration!
Sincerely,
Laurie Taetle
Mrs. Taetle…
. It was truly to a pleasure to hear from you. I was on vacation and received this thread via email and was overjoyed that you finally received my message. It took a few years, but I was always hopeful you would receive it.
I am so glad to hear how you continued with music and were able to share your talents with others. From the sounds of it, they too had similar experiences. You truly have a gift and talent which I am still in awe of today. I have worked with many talented individuals in many cities and in many performances and can easily say you are one of two people who I was amazed by. Yours was exceedingly special because you chose to share it with kids which only now as an adult I can fully appreciate.
My time as your music student helped form my self confidence which I carry to this day. I often look back to those unique musical arrangements and performances we did fondly. I still remember the harmonies and sounds of songs like “Cantate Domino”, “Go tell it on the mountain”, “Stand by me”, and “Barbara Ann”. All were unique and fun. When I hear those songs now, (some more than others “Cantate Domino” doesn’t come up much…
) Those feelings and emotions rush back. I had wonderful times learning to sing and dance in your classes and am glad to be able to thank you as an adult for all your efforts. Teachers in my opinion are underpaid and underappreciated, especially the extraordinary ones like yourself. I remember you fighting hard for funding and going to bat for us in High School. I am sure it was a huge struggle at times but please know that you made a significant difference in one little boys life… that that I am truly grateful even today… and will be forever.
Sara, I hope this message gets to you! Thank you for alerting me to the messages above. I was very touched to know that my students remembered me for so many of the right reasons! I think you may have followed in my footsteps! Love, your mom
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Give thanks to a teacher « Random Ramblings by Chad said this on August 17, 2011 at 9:18 pm |