Teacher of the Week: Anna Stanfill

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Myrtle Grove Middle School’s Anna Stanfill has known she wanted to be a band teacher since she was in the 9th grade, and now she is inspiring a whole new class of musical kiddos.

“I just want the opportunity to give kids the same experiences that I had,” Stanfill said. “Music is amazing. It’s a life skill that not everybody can say that they have, so I’m more than happy to share that with all my kids.”

Stanfill is in her second year at Myrtle Grove, the same school where she student taught, and said she is incredibly blessed for this opportunity.

She said her favorite part about teaching band is working with sixth graders.

“When they come to me they don’t know anything, let alone what they’re going to play, and that’s where I see the most growth, and it’s just so amazing that they start from nothing and then they get to where they are now, playing songs,” Stanfill said.

Stanfill said the key to teaching middle schoolers is patience and a lot of energy.

“Just to keep them involved in what you’re doing because it’s not all just fun, it’s hard work,” Stanfill said.

She said music is an incredibly important part of a child’s education.

“Listening to music sends off fireworks in your brain, but playing a musical instrument is the only activity where everything is active at once,” Stanfill said.