I wish to express my appreciation for the Guitars in the Classroom program. I have been a third grade teacher at Miwok Valley Elementary School for the past ten years. I have seen many music programs disappear due to budget constraints. Third grade recorders along with large part of band and chorus in the upper grades have been sacrificed. I am so thrilled, therefore, to bring music back into my classroom. I appreciate the sponsors of this invaluable program.

Sue Iacocca, Miwok Valley Elementary School, Miwok Valley, CA

At age 40, I decided to fulfill a life-dream of learning to play the guitar. I enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior college at the Petaluma Campus. The first day was intimidating with experienced players and an instructor used to demonstrating and not hands-on teaching. Then, I heard about Guitars in the Classroom and decided to take an additional class. From the first day I noticed a difference between the classes. Ingrid is a hand-on teacher who focuses on being able to sing and play the first day of class! Music is challenging for me yet I was playing for my students the first week. Now I play with them at least 3 times a week and am even accompanying them during our Winter Sing performance! I feel a great sense of accomplishment and it has been rewarding for the students to see me as a learner as well. We use music for a variety of purposes including relaxation, creative writing, social studies, and other areas. I would recommend this class for all teachers. It enhances so many classroom experiences and provides opportunities for students to discover new talents or strengthen the ones they already have. I am grateful to have participated in this program.

Lisa Hanley, Laurel Dell Elementary, San Rafael, CA

I have enjoyed the guitar class very much! I really enjoy hearing my students sing. Since my voice does not have a great range, I am now able to play the songs on the guitar and not worry about my voice. I am having so much fun learning to strum the guitar and singing with my students! I look forward to the New Year and continuing to learn more about the guitar. I am most grateful for the class!

Nancy van West, 1st grade teacher, Sonoma Mountain School, Sonoma, CA

My friend is making a short documentary about race and higher education, and she's been filming images of my class to complement her narrative (the film also follows her family's educational history and her grandmother was a kindergarten teacher). I taught my kids "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and we performed for the camera last Friday. She's going to use them singing as the music for the end of her film. My kids are so excited and proud - couldn't have done it without GITC!

Erica Dobney, Berkeley, CA

Guitars in the Classroom has helped me create a new tool to use in my classroom. It gives me another way to get info to my kids in a more exciting way.

Rob Wolf, Spec Ed. Hendricks Elem., Flowing Wells Schools

Playing the guitar, and the simple songs they love, get and keeps my students’ attention like nothing else!

Judy Dodge, First Grade Teacher. Donaldson Elementary. Amphitheater School District.

With GITC, I've learned more than in any other music class!

John Hervey, Spanish and General Subjects Instructor, Grades K-12, Tomales Unified School District

My class has really enjoyed hearing new songs every week and they have been very encouraging as I learn this challenging hobby.  I keep telling them that you're never too old to learn something new.  And it shows them that this was a goal that I had for a long time which I'm finally getting to. It's never too late!

Mary Grech, second grade teacher, Apple Blossom School, Sebastopol, California

I have truly enjoyed my experience with Guitars in the Classroom. I have found learning to play a guitar simple and fun! It is wonderful to take what I have learned and share with my students. It has not only enriched my classroom but my own life as well.

Debbie Sullivan, Kinder, Desert Wind Elem, Marana School District

I work as a social worker in an elementary school, so I work with a wide variety of ages and students. One of the challenges is keeping things fresh and fun, so the kids will want to learn that aren’t always fun to talk about. GITC gave me what is turning out to be an invaluable tool to reaching kids who are often difficult to reach.

Colleen McHugh, Elementary School Social Worker, Coronado K-8 School

I’m enjoying the GITC classes. I am learning at a faster pace than I expected. The songs are fun to play and I think that the kids will enjoy singing along. The program is enjoyable and the sponsors are very generous with equipment and music.

Connie Carrillo, Spec Ed., Reaching for the Sky Charter School

My thoughts on Guitars in the Classroom: I can finally play the guitar that I have had for years. My first graders love to sing along. I may not be very good-yet but we have a lot of fun. Remember it’s not about me!

Margaret Smith, Homer Davis Elementary, 1st Grade

No stress, just fun – that’s my experience so far. Let’s play (and sing!) another tune! This is relaxing after a busy day in the classroom!

Judith LeFevre, 7th and 8 th grade Math, Utterback Middle School

I learned that you can really impress a group of preschoolers with just three chords!! Go for it!

Sue Bernas, Speech-Language Therapist, Wings on Words Preschool

Guitars for Tucson has been a great experience! I have had the opportunity to learn many chords and concepts in a positive environment. I love playing my guitar now, and my students love when I play for them!

Callie Poole, Southside Community School, 2nd&3rd grade teacher

From Ms. Clarke’s class: “It’s cool and fun. We like that our teacher does it because she’s fun to be around. She teaches us how to play too.” I thought that getting what the kids say would be different after all, it’s not about me!

Emily Clarke, 4th Grade Teacher, Amphitheater School District, Keeling Elementary