Tips from a top teacher: Lisa Hatfield, Batavia Unit District 101

Lisa Hatfield's energy and passion for music is contagious throughout Batavia Unit District 101, parents and colleagues say. In her eighth year teaching fifth-grade band, and her 14th year with the district overall, she continues finding new ways to instill a love of music in her students while also teaching them valuable life lessons along the way.

Here are some words of advice Hatfield offers to other teachers:

• If you're bored with the content, the students are, too. It's just as important to keep yourself engaged.

• Approach every situation with compassion - even the frustrating ones.

• There will never be enough time to do everything you want, so do your best and try to keep your priorities straight.

• Celebrate throughout the process, and not just when the goal is achieved.

• Develop a caring and attentive rapport with parents. They are your biggest cheerleaders and your best assistants.

• There are so many unsung heroes that make teachers successful. Always thank your secretaries, custodians and technology department.

• The person who said "love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life" must have never seen a band teacher try to wrangle 175 10-year-olds with expensive noisemakers after a concert.