Dear parents,

This week, the Westhill Board of Education accepted my request for a leave of absence from teaching music at Walberta and Cherry Road School for the remainder of this school year and the 2017-18 academic year.  I have been invited to work in Albany at New York State United Teachers, the union that represents teaching and healthcare professionals in public schools and hospitals across the state.  There, I will be serving as the assistant to NYSUT’s Vice President for Research and Education Services, the wing of NYSUT that handles education policy and acts as a liaison between teachers and the State Education Department.  I look forward to the opportunity to bring the voice of the average teacher and the challenges facing neighborhood schools to Albany.

Although it is an honor to be asked to join the NYSUT team (I did not apply), I am reluctantly leaving the classroom.  Teaching music in Westhill is a true joy.  The staff and students at Walberta and Cherry Road Schools are top notch.  They will be missed.  As I said to the kids this week, sometimes teachers take a break from teaching (as many do to have children or raise a family) but they always hold teaching close to their heart and they always remember their students.

I shared my news with a number of classes this week and introduced them to the music substitute for the remainder of the year, Mrs. Kari Lutters.  Mrs. Lutters grew up in Solvay and comes to Westhill with a number of years experience teaching music K-12.  She brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom.  Mrs. Lutters will be preparing the children for the many events at the end of the school year including Flag Day and the grade 3 and 4 spring concerts on June 7th.  Thank you Mrs. Lutters.

Although I will be working in Albany, my home remains in Central New York so don’t be surprised if you run into me at Wegman’s or Target.  Thank you for your continued support of the music programs at Westhill.  It’s an honor to be part of a school community that understands that music education is basic education – an important part of every child’s development.

Sincerely,
Mr. McCrea