Emily O. Nora M. Jimmy Z.
Chloe W. Colin S. Diya A. Avyukth N. Alena C. Emma G. Blaine D.
It’s very simple to run a business without a set of core values — entrepreneurs do it every day. But it’s not easy. At MnSOM, our core values guide us to be better music educators. I expect every teacher to embody them daily, or they aren’t a good fit for our school. The values are straightforward but intensive, represented by the acronym HELPS . HUMILITY can be difficult to come by in music performers. Their world is competitive, and “lead singer disease” runs rampant. But 7-year- olds don’t care about clout and credentials. Our teachers must be able to set aside their egos and put the children we teach first. EFFORT is essential to being a teacher. If a student wants to learn how to play a piece, their teacher must be willing to take the time to learn the accompaniment. But just as crucially, they must be ready to stop and pick up a can someone carelessly threw away in the parking lot. Every kid deserves our all, whether their class is the first or last of the day. LEARNING requires us to be students first and teachers second. After 20 years, knowledge does not impress me. But a willingness to continue growing and improving does. Some of the best lessons I’ve ever learned were from my students. Educators must be willing to engage in this give and take and accept that they don’t know it all. PASSION is a word that etymologically originates with the concept of suffering. Teaching is grueling, especially in front of a child’s parents. We deal with dynamic personalities and uncomfortable feedback daily. Our teachers must be passionate enough to dust themselves off after a difficult day and return to do it all again. SERVICE is the backbone of any business. For example, I used to take my son to Applebee’s frequently. It wasn’t for the food, which I find very mediocre — it was because Brittany, the server, made my kid laugh. People care about how you make them feel, and while they ostensibly hire us to teach music, they really want to be treated well. These values are nonnegotiable and keep us on a consistent path to excellence. They’re the basis for our identity as educators and how we make MnSOM the best music school it can be. How MnSOM’s Values Shape Us OUR GUIDING LIGHT
Hendrick S. Adelaide S. Mackenzie M. Yasmin M.
IS YOUR TEACHER SOLD OUT?
Mr. Barrett: 2 SPOTS LEFT Mrs. Bunish: 1 SPOT LEFT Ms. Ferbuyt: SOLD OUT
Mr. Nehring: SOLD OUT Mr. Nelson: SOLD OUT
Ms. Rotvold: SOLD OUT Mr. Spears: 1 SPOT LEFT Ms. Tomlinson: SOLD OUT
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Ms. Hsu: SOLD OUT
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–Eric Nehring
763-432-9713 • 3
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