Music for Bonaire Middle choral director is a gift and love

Julie McCoy, choral director at Bonaire Middle School, loves music and teaching. Therefore, she uses her two loves to encourage her students to also find their gift and do what they love.

This is McCoy’s sixth year teaching at Bonaire Middle, but her 22nd year teaching altogether. Prior to Bonaire Middle, she taught at the former Tabor Middle School for eight years. She then went to Feagin Mill Middle School for seven years to start the new choral program.

“I love teaching at Bonaire Middle,” McCoy said. “The administration is very supportive of our choral program and the arts. They always come to our concerts and are very helpful.” She also commended her fellow teachers for being very supportive and great at what they do.

McCoy teaches grades 6-8. She also works with the drama students on Saturdays. They’re currently preparing for their next musical, “Seussical Jr.”

McCoy takes her students to various competitions such as All-State Chorus and auditions, Sixth Grade Honor Choir and District Honor Choir. On Dec. 10, 50 of her seventh and eighth grade students will perform at the Governor’s Mansion and attend a concert of the Atlanta Symphony Chorus with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Morehouse College choir.

Originally from Marietta, McCoy graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She also graduated from Valdosta State University with a master’s degree in music education and from Auburn University with a specialist degree in music education.

Why teaching?

“I think God has led me to teaching because it’s a way that I can give back to the community. I love students, I love children and I love music.”

What brought you into the field?

“I love music, and my mother was a singer on the radio. When I was going to school, I studied instrumental and choral music. There was an opening here in Houston County for a choral director at Tabor, so I came and observed and then I got the job. I think, again, that God led me here. He has guided me through all of this.”

Any inspiration from past teachers?

“When I was growing up, especially in middle school, there were teachers who gave to me, and that planted seeds in my life. I think God has led me to this job as a way of giving back what was already given to me.”

Best part of teaching?

“Every day is new and different. You come prepared but you are always challenged to meet the needs of the students in different ways. That can be fun. I love the students. They enrich my life. Introducing the arts to them is something that I’m very excited about. It’s an opportunity to teach them about great composers and musicians. I’m excited about that, so I can share that.”

What is it about teaching that you like the most?

“When a student comes to middle school, they’re in the sixth grade and are quite young. They grow, change and develop. Watching that growth is my favorite part of teaching. They become more of an adult. They’re more ready for high school, more responsible and more mature.”

Most challenging part of teaching?

“Every day is new. With teaching, there are many new trends that we have to keep up with. This is my 22nd year and I try to keep growing and learning about teaching, technology and the best way I can reach my students. For me, that can be the most challenging part so that I don’t become stale in the classroom. I keep observing other directors and keep growing. To fit that in is challenging. I’m very busy with the schedule that I already have. That can be challenging to fit in growth for yourself, but I try to do that.”

Anything that makes your job difficult?

“One of my challenges is that as a choral director, I’m the only person in the building who teaches my subject matter. One of the things that I like to do is network with others. Everything that I do, I do individually. I don’t have an assistant. I get parents and students to help me, but there are some things that I have to do. The massive workload that you have is sometimes challenging.”

If not teaching, what?

“If not teaching, something interacting with people, possibly children. So many fields have education as a part of that. In some way, I would be doing something to educate people.”

Advice to students:

“In middle school, we emphasize helping students find their gift. I would encourage students to find the thing that they love and pursue that for their career so that when they’re thinking of retiring, they’re not saying, ‘One day when I retire, I’m going to do what I love.’ Do what you love every day, then life will be wonderful.”

Advice to parents:

“Listen to your child. Be supportive and allow them to grow and to be responsible for their assignments at school. Give them chores and responsibilities in small ways so that they can do those things and get success, and then later on in life, they’ll have larger responsibilities that they can be successful for. Take time to talk with them and listen. Many of my students may not need money, but they need love. They’re emotionally needy. So, hugging them and taking time for them is important.”

Home life:

“I have five brothers. I have two children, Daniel Rehner and Amy Rehner-Elmore, and two grandchildren, Ethan, 4, and Kayleigh, 2. I’m a firm believer in Jesus Christ. Church is a big part of my life. I’m a member of Southside Baptist Church. Without my faith, I could not do this job. I rely on my faith every day to give me strength. Just like we are forgiven, I can forgive the students and move on if something happens. I see the school as a mission field, not that I would convert, but that I can be the light and salt in the world. My slogan is: ‘Kind words are the music of the world.’ Music can heal. I try to use music that is uplifting and has a positive message so that the students can be inspired and make it a little easier to go back to math and science. I also have a strong work ethnic so that when they’re doing their best in here 100 percent, then they can give 100 percent to math, science, social studies, language arts and in everything that they do.”

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