WAUWATOSA, Wis. — A Wauwatosa music teacher is trying to bring a new perspective to her middle school students after spending part of the summer teaching in Central America.
Lauren Roznowski Hayden, the orchestra director at Longfellow Middle School, was one of only 20 United States citizens who earned a prestigious Fulbright Educator Award to teach in another country.
“Playing music, you are a part of something bigger than yourself,” said Roznowski Hayden. “When I’m playing viola in an orchestra, or I’m conducting an orchestra, or working with a group of students, there is nothing I love more in the world.”
This past summer she spent six weeks teaching music classes and orchestra at a school in San Pedro Sula, a city in northwest Honduras.
“The school I was at, they did not have the kind of resources we have here. However, the students played at a very high level musically because they had extraordinary focus and determination,” said Roznowski Hayden.
She said she’s now inspired to further build that level of focus and intensity with the orchestra at Longfellow.
Student Sanne Chenhalls said Roznowski Hayden has already helped her build more focus and confidence in playing the violin.
“She pushes me a lot and I haven’t always been very confident, but I think I can very proudly say that I am now confident in my skills to play orchestra because of how much she has pushed me and given me opportunities,” said Chenhalls.
One of the newest opportunities Longfellow orchestra students have, is the chance to exchange letters with Roznowski Hayden’s students in Honduras.
Student Lillian Boehlke said it has been great to get mail from a student in a different part of the world who also loves music and orchestra.
“It’s more meaningful to have a letter from someone than just a text message, so I think the letters are important so we can communicate with other people,” said Boehlke.
Roznowski Hayden hopes the letters - and sharing different perspectives in music and life - will create positive change and new ideas for her students.
“I’m hoping that this sparks something more. I don’t know what that is yet, but I’m excited to find out,” she said.
