An unexpected Christmas gift...

I just returned from the New York State School Music Association Conference and didn't expect Christmas to come early.  The MTI booth had a constant flow of teachers that are going the extra mile and changing kids lives with musical theater. Their stories included success and struggle, but always worth the journey.  New teachers (that were my students barely yesterday), were brimming with fresh ideas and fresh questions about the best practices for kids and schools.  The students from West Seneca East Elementary that performed a sneak peak of "Flat Stanley Jr." were fun and inspiring at our session.  No one could have stated it better than the 6th grader who played Stanley who told the audience at the end "It isn't easy being flat!"  Well put Stanley, and it isn't easy being a teacher these days for sure.  Why then do people clammer for the new Jr. show title, spend countless hours of time above and beyond their schedule, drive hours to come to  workshops?   Because they are making the world a better place....and as my dear friend Tim McDonald says, "making the world safe for children and theater, one child at a time."  I don't need any package to unwrap.....thank you all for the continued show support questions, requests, advice, pictures, etc. that prove you are shaping children and communities for the better.  It certainly is the gift that "keeps on giving", and a noble one at that! CR