Mr. Gjerstad’s Website

A tradition that has taken place in our final week of school has been the traditional softball game between the Staff and the Students.

In previous years there has been much hype leading up to the game; where students or Staff would write poems or limericks; describing in fun of course, how one group was going to beat the other.  We did not have much opportunity for that this year.  The Multi-purpose room was being used for graduation ceremonies on May 27.  Because of that, the ceremonies were held in the classrooms.

When we returned to school after having Memorial-day off, we did not do your typical positive attitude song.  After all, this was the week of the softball game.  To get everyone in to the mood, I composed some original words to the song, “Take, Me Out to the Ball-game”.  We were able to sing it twice that week.  I had the able assistance of the sixth grade teacher who played guitar.  The words follow; then I have one more comment.

It’s an awesome day for a Ball-game,

The Staff and Students will play.

The Staff has a history of winning the game,

The students will play for their claim to fame.

Mr. Gjerstad is the one to blame,

If the students don’t win, the game;

For he calls, them as he sees, those strikes,

At the old, ball-game.

The tradition has been that I umpire this particular game.  The reason that I’m to blame is that I am totally blind.  Therefore, I’m as blind as it gets!  Like the poem says, “For he calls them, as he sees those strikes”.  Nothing like poking fun at myself, is there?  I like it; for it shows I’m not sitting here, feeling sorry for myself.  Ah, you can not beat fun at the old ball-game.

Gary Gjerstad

The last week at Eagles Aerie has been quite a week.  As far as events go, this was particularly true on May 27.  Two graduations and a talent show was the spotlight of that day.

The two kindergarten classes combined to have their Graduation Ceremonies the morning of May 27.  The musical things they did along with the things recited were outstanding.  For my part, it was nice just being able to appreciate the ceremony, and not have to play.  The accompaniments I recorded ahead of time; thanks to the help of Mrs. Nightingale.  Each year, these ceremonies get better and better.  This year’s ceremony was to my way of thinking, the best by far. The Director of the school and his wife made comments appropriate for the occasion.

Next was a talent show for the fourth grade class.  It was held in Mr. Eyre’s classroom.  As I would hear him comment, it had to be a record as far as number of people in his classroom.  When something like this takes place, the support of parents is exceptional and for good reason! This is one of the most talented classes I know of.  Students played things on the keyboard.  There was one violin solo. There was plenty of singing; which Knew would be the case.  I have worked with this group before.  It is such a pleasure working with them; as they truly take pride in what they do.

Finally, the Graduation Ceremonies that took place for those in the American Leadership School.  The mood for the evening was set with piano music such as what is heard at our Ceremonies.  Mr. Hale was our Master of Ceremonies for the night.  Two musical numbers were performed by our Advanced Choir; “We’re the Eagle”, and “For Good”.

As was the case for Kindergarten, we would hear from the Director and his Wife.  We also heard from the Mentors/Teachers, who worked so hard to bring these students to where they are now.  Once these special young people were handed their diplomas, they had opportunity to express their appreciation for the school; and the things that had meant so much to them.  As Staff, we wish these graduates well; and know that as one chapter has ended, a new one is beginning.  They will go on to make there mark in life.  No matter what they end up doing, this group, just like the ones before them, will be successful.

Believe it or not, there is more to write!  But that will come in another posting.

Gary Gjerstad   

It might surprise you to know, (Perhaps that is not the case for anyone who knows me well), but my activities have not been confined to my classroom; or more specifically, the Music Department.  Reading Day has been an important part of our activities at Eagles Aerie.  For several years Reading Day was every Monday.  Then a change was made where on Mondays we would alternate between reading day and writing day.  Sometimes, (And I felt it happened a good share of the Mondays), we would have Mondays off on the days that Reading Day was suppose to happen. 

My experience with reading day was extremely positive.  What started out as a project for the First Grade turned in to a project for three other grades as well; second, third, and fourth grades.  Where I obviously can not read with eyes, I use Braille.  This is a series of six dots; which used in any combination or order, can be made in to words, letters, numbers, or abbreviations.  There are approximately 300 and some signs, abbreviations, and contractions that I have to remember.

For reading purposes I read from left to right.  I use my two index fingers; the right one being the leader, the left one being the guider.  The right finger goes from left to right across the page; while the left one drops down a line, so that I do not lose my place.  The fun part is that the power can go off, or the house can be completely dark.  That doesn’t mess up my reading!

The first and second grades were the champions, based on the fact that we made it through two books.  “The Invisible Island” and “The Kidnapped King”.  The stories were mysteries based on the letters A to Z.  Three kids would be the ones who would solve the particular crime.  In the second story, a dog played an important role.

I’m not sure who enjoyed these opportunities more.  For the students, I think they appreciated the fact that someone cared enough to come and read for them.  I always looked forward to these opportunities.  From the enjoyment perspective, I would say it was equal; no question about that.  The combination of watching me read Braille and hearing the story made it an enjoyable experience all the way around.  Next year, we are looking at significant changes for the school.  Some things I hope will stay the same.  Reading Day is one of those things

It has been quite sometime since I have posted something on my website.  It has been a busy time; and it has not until this moment left any time for comment and reflection.

The first opportunity occurred on Saturday morning April 18.  A group of sixth graders performed at an outdoor political rally in Gilbert, Art he students did an outstanding job as they performed four patriotic songs in two segments.  More than the musical experience, it was good for the students to see what can happen through a collective effort of working to get someone in a political office.  It was a great experience all the way around, as I was proud of these students for giving up part of their weekend to do this.  The fact that we were able to talk about this on Monday shows that this experience meant allot to them; and that they were honored to have been asked.

The second highlight occurred on Friday morning, April 24.  A group of American Leadership School students and I traveled to Red Mountain Active Adult Center; where they did a performance for Senior Citizens.  It was our second appearance there; as we last performed there back on December 12, 2008.  The performance was special for two reasons.  The students knew what was expected of them.  They, like the group the week before not only represented the school well but they performed well.  For our listening audience, I heard later that many had tears in their eyes; they were touched that deeply.  This group, I will simply refer to as my 1-20 groups; as that was the time, we often rehearsed this year.  I have the opportunity to work with allot of students and enjoy each group for a variety of reasons.  The 1-20 group, hold a special place for me in my life.  They like to have fun; but when it came down to doing what they needed to do, I could count on them.

Finally, the all-school talent show yesterday afternoon was another success.  The testimony to that is the fact that our Multi-purpose room was full; as if it were our Christmas or Spring Concerts the Music Department puts on each year.  As good as those concerts are, without question the talent show past those two things.  This show, the Music Department had nothing to do with; other than organization and handling of auditions.  The show was student created, so long as it met school guidelines.

Auditions for the talent show began back on April 21.  An American Leadership school student sat through the audition process with me.  There were four days of auditions.  April 21 and April 22, as well as April 28 and April 29.  To say that this was difficult in way of selecting the acts that would be performing would state it accurately.  The students were that good!  I do not have the breakdown of how many tried out.  I will just say that allot of students tried.  In all, there were sixteen performances.  Unlike other years, there was a little something for everyone.  Whether it was a dance routine, “Stand-up Comedy”, Gymnastics, you name it! It was good to see students try other things besides music.

I hope that now you understand when I say that there has not been the time to post anything as of late.  If only, there were more than the twenty-four hours that are allotted.  It has been a great finish to our school year as far as the Music Department is concerned.  All that is left is to prepare musically for Graduation on May 27.

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It does not seem possible that a week from today, (May 29), will be a half day of school.  For students, they’ll be done for another year.  For Staff, we’ll have some things to do yet before we can say we are in same standing with students; as far as being done for the year.

As each day goes by I’ve had opportunity to reflect on the school year.  Certainly the 2008—2009 school year has been different from what I thought it would be; when we first started in late July.

We never thought for example, that on September 19, we would be saying farewell to Mr. Zawilak; and how on September 22, I would take over Honor’s Orchestra.  It has been an interesting year, regarding that particular faze of the job.  I approached this endeavor in one frame of mind; it was going to be a positive experience, all the way around.  In every sense of the word, leading Honor’s Orchestra has been a rewarding experience.  Two things come to mind as to why I would feel this way.

Thinking about my year with the orchestra, it has been a rewarding year.  I would acknowledge here, that in some instances, it was perhaps more difficult then what I would have imagined.  The difficulty would come, as a result of students hving issues that required discipline.  Two positives come from this.  For every situation or problem that arose, there was always a solution.  The solution may not have always been seen or obtained, for which very thankfully there was email communication with Teachers.  We could discuss things in as open or as frank a manor as we would hope for.  I know that from time to time, I made mistakes.  The nice part there is that rather than dwell on the negative of that particular situation, I could accept the negative for what it was, and move on! Because I knew what I did, and go from there.

But it was the students, who made the job fun.  Once they were ready to play, they took things seriously.  I had wonderful student leaders, who made it a point to make sure that everyone was in focus; when I was ready to play. I would not trade places with anyone for the wonderful experiences I embarked on this year.  For these, I am a much better person because of it.  It can only serve to make what I do better.  As time goes on, there will be other thoughts and reflections to share.

Gary Gjerstad  

It has been awhile since there has been a posting.  The last time was on Friday, March 13; the day after our spring concerting.  The Aims Testing is going on at school.  So, where that would affect music classes, here’s an opportunity to get things like this done.

My spring break was filled with relaxation and fun things.  The relaxing times consisted of listening to a cassette book.  Through our talking book library in Arizona, I have a special cassette player that plays books or magazines on slow speed.  You wouldn’t be able to listen to them on a normal cassette recorder; or the voice would sound really fast.  The book was called, “Amazing Grace”, and it was written by Danielle Steel.  There were four sides per cassette, eight sides in all.  The book had over 800 pages of print.  The book in brief, was about a California earthquake, and how four lives were transformed n ways one would have never expected.  It was one of the most profound books I have listened to, in quite awhile.  Four stories in one would be the best way I could describe it.  The earthquake brought humility to people who thought they were sitting tall, as far as their fame and riches.  A good lesson, in how that is not always what it is meant to be.  The story had me captivated; and reinforced the idea that as someone who is totally blind, I have learned to play with the hand I have been dealt with.  Be thankful for the small things, and count the blessings one who is greater than I bestows each day.

On the lighter side, I took in a jam session on March 18.  A friend of mine took me to Mesa Spirits, where I played piano with a group that likes to play there through the winter months.  These jam sessions, as they are known, last for two hours.  The last one at this particular place was on March 25.  The second trip that day was to Organ Stop Pizza.  If you have never been there, it is well worth the opportunity.  On this particular night, the place was packed!  A little different perhaps, for a Wednesday night.  The pizza is always great.  Hearing the mighty pipe organ is pretty special; especially when the person is up in the air.  All the instruments that are played, (Piano, Drums, etc), are done from the organ.  The performances were shorter than usual, so that those who were waiting could be accommodated.  It was still a fun experience, and has always been a special treat for me as long as I have been in Arizona.

With the spring concert having taken place on March 12, the Music Department is fairly quiet this time of year.  Like everyone else we are winding down, if you will.  On May 8, an all-school talent show will take place in our Multi-purpose room.  It will be from 1-30 until 2-30 P.M.  Students will be encouraged to start working on what they want to do.  Things officially begin happening on Wednesday, April 1.  In some cases, if students have something ready, the audition process will be started.  The original thought was that the deadline would be Wednesday, April 22.  I will give consideration to the idea than where we have Good Friday and the following Monday off, then the deadline will be extended to Friday, April 24.

Students need to know, that it does not necessarily mean that thy have to sing or play an instrument.  They can dance, read poetry, or do a short skit.  Get the idea?  It should hopefully be allot of fun for all.  The auditions will be a difficult process to go through.  As I write this, there will be auditions for fifteen performances.  They will be timed; as they need to be in the hour time slot allotted.  There could be numbers added, depending on how long these numbers take.  If a student does not make it, most likely it is because of two factors.  1.  Intense competition.  2.  We’re working with a time-frame.  Good luck!  There are no losers in this deal.  Everyone is a winner.

Gary GJerstad t

For the Music Department at Eagles Aerie School, March 12 will be a very memorable date as our spring concert took place.  A nice crowd was on hand to enjoy the performances both individually and collectively. 

Honor’s Orchestra, (With Mr. Gjerstad directing from the piano), opened the evening with four selections.  A new group that has been rehearsing with Mr. Gray since January, followed with a couple of selections.

There were many other highlights regarding the concert that are worthy of note.  All of our choirs opened the main part of the show with a medley of songs.  The arrangement was called “Our America”.  This Medley consisted of such songs as “Yankee Doodle”, “I’m, a Yankee Doodle Dandy”, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, “This Land is Your Land”, and “God Bless the USA”. 

This would not be the only number where all of our choirs were featured.  Other numbers included “Colors of the Wind”, and “American Tribute”. 

Not to be overlooked was a solo by Kai Workman to the song, “Tomorrow”.  Mrs. Abney’s second grade class did a great job on “Do, Rae, Mi”.  Three drummers from Miss Mitchell’s first grade class did an awesome job on “Wipeout”, and “Hard Rock Blues”.  Mr. Gjerstad assisted them by playing the bass drum.  Three classes belonging to Mr. Thatcher, Mr. Eyre, and Mrs. Ward, did a great job on the song, “It’s a Hard Knock Life”.

Another class that was featured allot was Mr. Davis.  They led the choirs in the song, “Good Vibrations”.  Some of Mr. Davis’s students participated in a vocal ensemble.  They sang a song called “This Is Me”.  A vocal trio performed “America, the Beautiful”.

It’s obvious from what has been put forth here that this concert had a little bit of something for everyone.  We can not forget about the song, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”.  There were two special performances that were set apart from the rest.  “If I Were a Rich Man”, (From Fiddler”, was performed in an awesome way by Gabe Rodriguez.  The vocal was outstanding!  Which had to be the case to do a song like that?  The motions and gestures, enhanced Gibe’s performance, from the perspective that as someone who did not see it, I did not have to!  As I knew that received the most applause.  The show ended, by Mr. Gjerstad singing his signature song; “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.  Zanna from Mr. Thatcher’s class, and Breanna from Mr. Davis’s class, assisted in this number. 

The concert lasted a little over an hour.  Those who attended left very happy; as they heard a nice variety of music.  To those who took part, there are no words that will express adequately enough our appreciation as a Music Department, for the hard work that was put in to making this concert the success that it was.  To each one who was in this performance, I can only say, I’m proud of each of you.  You are the ones who made this concert what it was.  It makes all of the hard work, worth it.  Enjoy your last day of school; and most of all, enjoy our spring break.  Thank you so much, for a job well done Gary Gjerstad.

As we entered in to the New Year of 2009, Bucket Brigades resumed on Wednesday, January 7.  Normally it would have resumed on Monday; our first day back from Christmas Break.  I needed to have the time to communicate with the Teachers involved; and set some guidelines for the students.  They would know, that the nonsense that had gone on before, would not be acceptable.  One bad move and the Bucket Brigades would be history.

One thing that I try to instill in students is the opportunity for shadow leadership; where students actually get to lead the group.  Good behavior naturally would figure in the process…

The first month went pretty smoothly.  Minor things happened, but they were easily correctable.  This seemed so good!  Was it too good?  I was obviously enjoying and appreciating the fact that kids were taking this seriously.  They weren’t about to lose out on a special opportunity.

What happened next is a very special part of this post.  As January ended and we entered in to February, it was a matter of time, before some behavioral issues would have to be dealt with.  It involved some of the same students; I had difficulty with prior to the Christmas program.  A boy, who was in Bucket Brigades at the time, had caused a problem.  The girls told me, that they would have to talk with their Teacher about the situation.  This incident showed me that if I had one drawback, it was my Blindness.  I had no way of really knowing what happened; since I couldn’t observe visually.  The girls were together on their story it ended up that the boy quit bucket brigades.

When something like this happens, several thoughts go through one’s mind.  What could I have done differently?  Was there anything I could have done to help him?  I think the thing that was most troubling, was that I had heard only one side of the story.  I had not heard the young man’s side of the story. This resulted in an exchange of five emails between his Classroom Teacher and me. 

In brief, I got together with the young man, the day after he quit Buckets.  I think that the rest of his classmates thought that he was in trouble.  Such was not the case.  We came in to my classroom, where we were to have a nice talk.  I got him to admit that he messed-up as far as behavior for bucket brigades.  That he was willing to admit that enhanced my respect for him.  Two things came out of this conversation which was significant.  First, I had to be sure that there was nothing wrong between he and myself, to make it where he wanted to quit buckets.  Everything was okay between us; for which I was grateful.  I learned from him, that what he didn’t appreciate was the girls hollering at him.  I mentioned to him that the girls get very intense, when they don’t want someone in buckets.  I told the young man, that if he was okay with his decision, then I was supportive of him.  We shook hands, and gave each other a hug.

This story has a happy ending.  A week after this particular incident, I communicated with his Classroom Teacher.  Even though his student wasn’t in bucket brigades with me, I wanted him to know, that I was interested in his well-being.  There was no reason, we couldn’t have lunch together.  The Teacher communicated this to the student; and he was more than willing to do this.  We had lunch for the first time, the day after I had communicated this thought or desire.  We talked about anything and everything that was of mutual interest.  Then came the surprise.  When he walked me back to the classroom, he asked me if he could be reinstated in Bucket Brigades.  I was thrilled!  I wanted to be sure, that he wanted to do this; because knowing the group as I did; I wanted to be sure that he was okay with the situation.  He was.  Since our first lunch together, we’ve enjoyed lunch three other times.  It has been an ongoing project; and it is something we both enjoy, and look forward to.

There’s a saying that holds true.  I’ve maintained this idea or philosophy that you can never do enough, for young people.  The young man I’ve been writing about was at the age where he needed that significant person or role model in his life.  Because I took the time for him, his whole attitude about school has changed.  The report I get from his Teacher, is that he’s working harder in the classroom.  So, significant progress is being made on his part.  I have never underestimated kids, as far as knowing whether we as Adults are sincere with them or not.  Believe me, when I say that they know.  This story I’ve shared is a wonderful story of success.  I don’t take the attitude, “Wow, look at me”!  I thank one greater than I, for giving me the knowledge to handle situations such as this.  Most of all, I thank him for the caring and loving heart.  Most of all, for the sensitivity.  What I’ll remember most about this year, are examples such as this one.  I’ll remember the lives I’ve touched, and God willing, will continue to touch. 

Gary Gjerstad. 

The subject of discipline is always an important one; and can be approached from many different angles.

Here at Eagles Aerie School we’ve been talking about discipline in a positive sort of way.  We call this, “Positive Discipline”.  So, a person who reads this might be thinking, “What can be positive when there’s discipline involved”?  It has been my thought, that a person can find positives; even through negative situations.  The primary consideration I believe, is that if a person learns from his or her mistakes, then most certainly that individual will be all the better for it.  As for me, positive discipline begins with me personally.  If I don’t live my life in a way that would be expected of me, then it would be hard to ask students to do the same.  We’re not judged so much by what we say, but more through our actions.  They speak volumes.

When my responsibilities increased to where I was in charge of Honor’s Orchestra, two bucket brigades, etc., my learnng skills kicked in to high gear.  I am a Teacher, yes!  But like the students I’m learning as far as how to deal with discipline issues.  With every new situation, the challenge became how to resolve a particular situation.  Whatever came my way, I seemed to be able to handle whatever obstacles were in my way.  I know that times my Blindness was a drawback in the sense I couldn’t see what actually took place.  In those cases, I could only hope that those who were acting as “My Eyes”, were being honest;  and not reacting out of a dislike for the one who was causing the trouble.

Because of my Blindness, the skill of communication becomes very important.  The students I’m involved with learn very quickly, what they can, or can’t get away with.  My purpose for writing posts on this subject is that it might be of interest, how someone who does not see what takes place in the classroom deals with these sorts of things.  Just because I am blind doesn’t mean that I’m not capable as far as handling these things.  The teaching of life’s lessons enters in to it; mixed in with a little common sense.

For me to best describe and show what I mean, this will be covered in a few of my upcoming posts.  I will use examples of situations I had to work with, to show how I was able to handle a given situation.  As a courtesy to the group and teacher, they will not be named.

The week of our All-school Christmas Show, I was working with a group of girls from a particular class.  They were highly motivated.  They were people, that if you set them off in any way, they would become very intense.  On this particular week in question, I was meeting with them on Monday and Wednesday.  If they had their way, they would have met with me everyday.  In these rehearsals, allot of time was spent calming people down who were arguing.  The Leader was constantly adding people to the group; so that when we actually were able to get some things done, it was as if we had to go back to square 1, and start over.

By Wednesday, it wasn’t much better.  The arguments were still persisting.  Nobody was getting along, and tempers were involved.  I would like to think of myself as one who does not lose his cool often.  I had reached the point, that I had heard enough.  I had suggested to the group, that we had a situation where we had too many people who wanted to be in charge.  Nobody it seemed was willing to work together.  I told them that what I needed to do was to pull their number from the program.  Whatever attitude existed came to an abrupt halt.  Some students were crying; and begging that the number not be pulled.  I then posed this question to them.  “Do you think that this is fun for me to have to discipline like this?  Do you think I enjoy, having to have to do this?  We’re supposed to be working on your part of the show; but we have to solve these problems.  Now, we’ll do the number one more time, and this time, it will be done right”.

To be sure, I had a quiet room of students.  They knew, that I was upset; and that behavior like this, was not going to be acceptable in my classroom. Once they did their number I made them apologize for the way they had treated each other.  The apologies were quite genuine; some of which were pretty emotional. The result of all of this?  Their number stayed in the program; and there were no more difficulties.  It was best that they learn this, in the way and manner that they did.  I suspect that one might call this, tough love.  If lessons were learned, and students learned something from this, then all of this is worthwhile.

In my next posting, I will talk about bucket brigades; and how positive discipline can be rewarded.

Gary Gjerstad