02/23/2026
Sunday, an old friend, who just happened to be my high school band director (Les Miller), and I got to attend a WGI Regional. As we sat there on the bleachers, trying not to complain about how uncomfortable we were, I realized that we had been doing this; going to marching band, guard, and drum corps shows for about 38 YEARS now. Not every year, not even every season, but for over a span of 38 years. Wow. The teaching profession becomes more challenging every year, but I hope everyone has had a teacher that has made a positive impact in their life. Mr Miller took me to my first marching band contest (along with about 70-80 other students) in 1985, which then led to drum corps shows, then winter guard contests. These things have really enriched my life and brought me joy (even through the pain of sitting on bleachers, lol). He was the first to see a little bit of leadership in me at the age of only 14- and took a chance in helping me see that in myself, and I’m confident that without that little nudge from him my life may have turned out differently. He, and many other teachers helped me realize that I had potential. I was not the best musician, and definitely not the smartest kid in his band classes…in fact I didn’t continue in music after high school (although many if his other students did) but it impacted me in so many other areas of my life.
So if you had a teacher that made a difference in your life, feel free to comment their name below, or just smile and say their name outloud. Teachers will never be millionaires, but we all hope to be remembered by our former students as a positive influence in their lives. Thanks, Mr Miller. Have a good day everyone…and don’t let anyone steal your joy.
