In April of 2006 I received the first annual
IHOBF Action in the Arts "Making a Difference" Award.
This was because I retrieved 10 guitars after Hurricane Katrina from Drew Elementary School in Orleans Parish and brought the IHOBF guitar program to Drew Elementary School
I began my teaching career at St. Pius X where I developed my skills as an educator, taught multiple styles of choirs and produced numerous school musicals.
My choirs achieved Superior ratings
in performance numerous times.
It was during these years in the early 1980's that I began to write chorale music for my elementary choir.
After 10 years I left there and soon found myself teaching General Science for 4 years before returning to music.
In the '90's I returned to my love of teaching elementary music in the Orleans Parish Public Schools.
Here I was an Itinerant Teacher, bouncing through 4 schools before finding a permanent home at
'George Washington Elementary School'
which soon changed its name to
'Dr. Charles Drew Elementary'.
I was a member of the Music Cadre' for the school system.
In the year 2000, I was also chosen
'Teacher of the Year' at Drew Elementary School.
In 2005 we were in the process of starting a guitar program sponsored by the International House of Blues Foundation when
Hurricane Katrina hit in late August the weekend before school started.
Drew flooded but I was fortunate enough to find a position at
'St. Rose Elementary School' in St. Charles Parish.
We were able to transfer the guitar program to St. Rose.
I soon retrieved most my teaching materials from Drew
with the help of the Washington State National Guard.
At St. Rose I created programs for every grade level K through 5th including musicals and choir concerts.
While in Orleans and St. Charles, I connected with Lynn Robertson of the Delgado Community College TV production department. This collaboration of College age students and elementary students produced a few educational videos: "Hurricane's a Brewin'", "School Emergencies', "It's About Respect", "Choose Your Attitude" and "Louisiana, Where I Call my Home".