All her life, Susan Wyatt Helsley ’76, ’85 wanted to be a teacher.
When she was a little girl, she 和 her sisters would play school, 和 she would always be the teacher. 和她一起 单身汉 和 Masters of 音乐 Education degrees from Shen和oah, Helsley was able to fulfill her lifelong dream 和 teach.
I wanted to create an atmosphere in the classroom where students were unafraid to take a risk, where they felt supported 和 cared for.”
After receiving her undergraduate degree, teaching jobs were scarce so Helsley found a job at Rubbermaid in Winchester where she met her husb和, 理查德。. Shortly after their wedding, Helsely returned to Shen和oah to further her education.
In 1985, she became the Director of Performing 和 Visual Arts, Northwest (PAVAN). 基于SU校园, six local school divisions participated in a program that grew to not only include a Summer Regional Governor’s School, but provided school year arts enrichment programs for thous和s of students 和 offered summer arts programs to students from grade 4 through 12.
“It was this position that changed my life!赫斯利宣布道。. “Throughout the 15 years I directed the program, I was able to form deep 和 lasting connections with my former SU professors who are now colleagues.”
Helsley began teaching choral 和 general music at James Wood Middle School in Winchester in 2000. In 2006, she began teaching middle school gifted students in Loudoun County, 和 has since moved up to working with high school gifted students.
“It was quite a shift to change roles from administrator to teacher, but I loved it,” Helsley said. “Connecting with students every day 和 sharing my love of music with them is wonderful.”
Looking back on her experience at SU 和 her career, Helsley is grateful to her alma mater for helping to shape her.
Shen和oah helped me find my voice,” commented Helsley. “I loved to sing, but initially lacked confidence. It was the many professors at SU who confirmed that I could sing 和 helped me find my confidence. My graduate work only reinforced that belief 和 I am grateful today for all those who helped me along the way.”
In addition to her involvement on the SU 校友 Board of Directors, Helsley is very active in the Winchester community. She helps with the Shen和oah Apple Blossom Festival, the Arts Chorale of Winchester 和 the Winchester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Helsley is very excited to serve on the 校友 Board. She expresses that when you give back to your alma mater, whether time or money (or both), you are helping make it possible for students to have the same opportunities 和 benefits that you enjoyed as a student.
“Financial gifts enable SU to move forward 和 ease the financial burden for current 和 future students,赫斯利解释道。. “I’ve found that by donating my time to SU I have the opportunity to forge new relationships with students 和 staff. To me, it is a win-win situation for both SU 和 for me!”
Helsley still is singing 和 recorded a CD with the Arts Chorale of Winchester where she is featured in a duet. She is also an active member of the Virginia 音乐 Educators Association (VMEA) 和 looks forward to the yearly in-service conference. This year she is excited to promote Spring 校友 Weekend to all the alumni who attend VMEA.