PAGE A12, KEIZERTIMES, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
LIFE
From Michigan to McNary:
New band teacher felt school was ‘perfect fi t’
Elizabeth Hering comes from across the country to become McNary's newest band teacher.
By BROOKLYN FLINT
Of the Keizertimes
When COVID-19 hit, many of us
changed our lives in diff erent ways,
whether it be picking up a new hobby or
starting a new job. McNary High School’s
new band teacher, Elizabeth Hering, made
a more drastic change, deciding to quit her
job in Michigan after 21 years and moving
to Oregon after feeling like she needed to
do something new.
“I was at a transitional phase of my life.
The pandemic had kind of upended every-
thing and I felt like that it had to be the
year that I made a change,” Hering said.
Hering started looking at available
jobs in Michigan and Oregon, where she
discovered that McNary High School
was looking for a new band teacher. After
looking more into the position, she felt it
would be the perfect fi t.
“I see the way the kids, when they
spend four years in band, develop and
grow into adults. A lot of that is aff ected by
the life skills, leadership skills, teamwork
skills and the bonding and unity that are
achieved in a music classroom. It seems
like at McNary, that's a school-wide cul-
ture, so I'm really excited to be at a school
that values this kind of community, unity
and engagement for the kids,” Hering said.
McNary High School encourages stu-
dents to be involved in activities outside
of academics, with many diff erent sports
and clubs being off ered. Hering enjoyed
seeing students engaged in the commu-
nity and felt that students who aren't as
involved often end up missing on a lot of
opportunities.
The switch from Michigan to Oregon,
however, presented some issues for the
marching band. The marching band
begins practicing in May or June, but
doesn't actually start until August. Hering
didn’t have a chance to even look at the
music until she made the full switch to
Oregon.
The fi rst football game was on Sept.
3rd, which meant that students had to
work quickly to learn all the music in time.
In just a few weeks, they managed to learn
everything and perform.
Photo by BROOKLYN FLINT of Keizertimes
The Keizer Community
Library is re-opening!
Saturday, Sept. 18
You’re invited to celebrate
with us from 11 am to 3 pm
Ribbon Cutting at 11:30 am
with Mayor Cathy Clark
• Tour the remodeled Library
• Refreshments
• Free Library Cards
Located in the Keizer Cultural Center
980 Chemawa Rd NE - www.keizerlibrary.org