New Year! New School!

I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with the staff and students at Sauvie Island Academy!! We have met a couple of times for music class and I look forward to Mondays and the opportunity to sing and learn with the students.

This year, we will be focusing on learning musical skills disguised as fun songs and games. The last two weeks have focused on getting to know each other, learning what's expected in class and using our singing voices!

I thought it would be helpful to share a little about myself ---

Ms. D on the first day of school at SIA

My name is Danita Pappas (students call me Ms. D) and I am from Seaside, Oregon. This means I have an aversion to turning left in the summertime and appreciate a really good chowder (but my dad makes the best I've ever had!) I've traveled all over the world - I've kissed the Blarney Stone and zip-lined the cloud forest of Costa Rica. One of the craziest things I've done is travel to Thailand for 3 weeks by myself. I've had some great experiences and seen some beautiful places, but the most beautiful place I've seen so far is the Oregon Coast and the craziest (awesomest) thing I've done is become a music teacher.

I graduated from Portland State University with both my Bachelor in Music Education and my Masters in Education. I still have strong ties to the school and what is happening in our area for  music education. I consider myself a Kodaly inspired teacher and have received my Level 1 certification. I use folk songs, dances and games to teach musical concepts to students. All students have the ability to learn and demonstrate musical knowledge. All students can learn to use their singing voice and we will sing every time we meet for music!

I have worked the last three years as the sole music educator in a small town in Eastern Oregon. While there, I taught preK-12 music, art, yearbook, photography and pretty much anything else that came my way. I also taught private lessons and worked with other educators in the area to increase musical opportunities for our students.

I am dedicated to student learning and excited for the opportunities that surround us at SIA. I have some fun things planned for the year and look forward to what we will accomplish together this year!