Seated in the front row, with a friendly smile on her face, ready to guide her students through the program is Lincoln music teacher Cathy South.

“I love seeing my students perform on stage,” South said. “They learn so many things when preparing to perform — how to sing as an ensemble, stage presence, and memorizing lyrics and choreography. But, they work together, they encourage each other, they celebrate each other’s achievements, and they learn to overcome nerves along the way. The list goes on and on.”

The list could also go “on and on” for the ways South has helped students at Lincoln School develop a love for music over the last 13 years.

“Cathy South exudes passion for music and the benefits of music education,” said Katie Russo, Lincoln principal. “She takes on any challenge presented and always looks for the positives in any situation.”

Cathy South has taught music at Lincoln for 13 years, helping to ignite a love for music and the performing arts for students in kindergarten through fourth grade.

South began teaching music 27 years ago.

“Growing up I always wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “I fell in love with music when I joined band in high school. When it came time to go to college and pick a career, I realized I could do both — I truly feel that I have the best job in the world.”

At Lincoln, she’s developed a love for seeing how students can grab onto music at a young age.

“I love seeing how excited the students get during class,” she said. “We get to sing, dance, and play instruments. They make so many connections between what we do in class with what they are learning in their homeroom subjects as well as outside of school. I also love how music can reach so many students. All students can find a way to be engaged and successful in music class.”

Outside of her classroom, South is a valued member of leadership teams that have made Lincoln a great place to learn and work.

“She brings that love and passion for our students not only to our music program but to our PBIS team and our safety team,” Russo added. “Cathy has the ability to see the ‘big picture’ and sees how things affect students beyond just her classroom.”

“I love my role on the PBIS committee,” South said. “I enjoy helping create activities that celebrate each and every student. I also enjoy being a part of a committee that works to create a positive school climate not only for students but for our staff as well.”

And she is always trying to become a better musician and teacher. Recently, she began learning a new instrument — a process that has renewed her understanding of how her students also learn.

“Being back in the role of student has been a great reminder of what it feels like for my own students,” she said. “It has really helped me understand the struggles my own students might have. It has helped me connect with them better and also helped me with how I approach my lesson planning. I am happy to show them that music is a skill they can enjoy throughout their life. I hope they are all lifelong learners.”

“(South) starts with students in kindergarten and continues to grow their love of music through a variety of opportunities to perform in front of an audience through their elementary years,” Russo said. “She wants students to continue the JPS music program as they move onto middle school.”

She also credits her colleagues and the ability to collaborate with her colleagues, notably Jennie Vaughn, library media specialist, and Jessica Harvey, art teacher.

“We often work together to do integrated projects,” she said. “A favorite one was when Mrs. Vaughn and I worked on ‘Slopera,’ an opera based on the children’s book ‘I Really Like Slop’ by Mo Willems.”

To conclude the board meeting, South led her students in a rendition of the Lincoln School song — “We’re All Scholars At Lincoln,” based on “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.” The number is consistently performed during the building’s PBIS assemblies and includes special choreography. At the board meeting, however, students had the chance to perform the song using handbells.

“I get chills every time we perform that song,” South said. “The sense of community that it creates is amazing. To see and hear the entire school singing and performing the movements will forever be my favorite thing!”

Following their performance, JPS Board of Education president Paul Abbott exuded praise on behalf of the school board.

“It’s great to start a board meeting with a smile,” he told the students and families. “It’s wonderful to hear you, and I can already imagine some of you in our A Cappella Choir someday at the high school.”