Jonathan Andert is a new teacher in the Terraset hallways.  So new, in fact, that your first glimpse of him may have been as he zombified himself with some of the other teachers in Terraset's recent talent show.  But when he's not playing zombie, he's our newest music teacher, currently standing in for Mrs. Goldman while she is on leave.

 
Jonathan has music in his blood; his grandfather was a band director and trumpet player. The trumpet was passed down to his father, and then on to him. His older brother also teaches music. So it just made sense that Mr. Andert graduated from Western Michigan University and went on to teach band and music. Before coming to Terraset in November 2009, he taught band and music at a private school in MD. He says, "I feel I have found my calling through general music. Everyday is new and exciting. The students bring new ideas into the classroom and challenge me to be a better teacher. I work my hardest to show all my students that everyone has music inside of them. Music is truly a universal language, connecting all persons on the planet."

Jonathan is passionate about showing the children he teaches just how much joy and freedom music can bring to them while also instilling in them the educational benefits music has to offer. Children who are involved in music score better in testing and are reinforced in basic math and language development. World history and geography are touched upon when students learn where and why a song was written. Performing together teaches children how to work cooperatively, while practicing individually teaches perseverance.

 
There are many joys to teaching music but Mr. Andert definitely loves listening to his class perform something they found challenging at first. He loves seeing the pride on their faces and hopes they will carry these accomplishments with them throughout their lives. His biggest challenge does not involve music, but instead, time management. It's always a challenge to connect with each student while only seeing them twice a week. He's also had to get used to switching gears from teaching Kindergartners to sixth graders within a couple of minutes.

 
When he's not teaching music, Jonathan is living music. He has played trumpet since he was in fourth grade- performing in jazz bands, marching bands, etc while in school. He has also performed in a number of bands as a singer and trumpeter, including a rock band, folk band and an experimental jazz band. In his spare time he writes lyrics and music and, though he has not done anything with them, he enjoys writing them a lot.  Jonathan has no favorite genre of music; it all depends on his mood. Among some of his favorites are Shostakovich, The Bad Plus and Talking Heads.

 
Jonathan Andert is most definitely passionate about and experienced in his music. With his winning smile, his joy is sure to be infectious to the children of Terraset and his music class will leave a lasting impression on them. Welcome to Terraset, Mr. Andert!

Do you remember that earlier this year your children came home with a book given to them by the school? That gift was made possible by our local UPS Store and its owner, Hal Berens.

 

The South Lakes location of The UPS Store raised thousands of dollars last year and used the money to purchase books for selected elementary schools in the Reston area. Terraset was one of those schools and we received over 400 books that were given to our kids. " My goal is to give every child the opportunity to learn/improve their ability to read" says Mr. Berens.

 

The UPS store is planning to do it again and has already raised just over $3,900 during the November-December 2009 fundraising season. The UPS Store corporate matched their efforts.  This fall, that money will be used to purchase books for our schools again.  

 
But that is not all they do! During this month (April 2010), they'll be accepting Toys for Tots Literacy donations. To support this 'mini-drive' you can make donations that benefit children in the greater Reston area as well as the students of your school. You can make these tax deductible contributions at the South Lakes Village location of The UPS Store at 11160 C1 South Lakes Dr.

 

Drop into the store, say "thank you" and make your contribution. Credit card payments are accepted!