Linda (Gilbert) Carpenter, current K-12 Music, Band, and Choir teacher for MCUSD shares why she loves being "Forever a Bluestreak"...
“As a 1996 graduate of Martinsville High School, I have made my way back home to being a “Forever Bluestreak.” My graduation class had 32 students (I think). I have always loved being in a small class because you actually are known by name and not just a number and you get to know your classmates. They are like family.
Some of my best memories come from band and choir with Mr. William Marsh and Mr. Chris Warnick. Mr. Warnick taught us this saying, “ to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late and to be late is to be dead.” If you were in band or choir this was our motto that we used for games, parades and extra rehearsals. I still use that saying in my everyday life after all of these years. I have even shared it with some of my students. One of my favorite classes was Mr. McCoy’s biology classes. My all time favorite memory was being an office aide and working in the office helping Mrs. Mary Deahl. We had a lot of fun!
While attending Martinsville, I played volleyball, played in the band, sang in the choir/Villagers, and was a part of Prevention Theatre. In 1996, I was awarded the John Phillip Sousa award for band. Not only am I teaching Band, Music, and Choir, I help take money at athletic events and volunteer to help with various events and activities. I truly believe that being so involved with all things music at Martinsville has helped shape and pave the pathway to teaching 11 of 17 years in the area of music, along with all of my college studies.
Social Media has made it so that I can stay in contact with several of my classmates. I hope my time here at Martinsville teaching Music, Band, and Choir leaves a deep and lasting impact on students and leaves a solid core memory upon each and every student that I teach. I hope that my enthusiasm, passion, and love for music will create a passion and love for music as well. One of my favorite sayings is “All roads lead home”. I’m forever grateful, thankful, and blessed that the road has led me back to where it all started for me at MCUSD and I’m forever glad that I am a Bluestreak.”
Thanks for sharing your story of why you love being a Bluestreak Mrs. Carpenter! We need to hear from you...send information (and photos if you wish) to vnorton@martinsville.k12.il.us
