Arlington Heights music teacher wins national award
St. Peter Lutheran School's Fine Arts director Rachel Hartmann was selected to receive Lutheran Education Association's 2014 Outstanding New Lutheran Elementary Teacher Award.
She is in her third year of teaching, serving as music teacher and fine arts director at St. Peter Lutheran School in Arlington Heights. She was selected by LEA'S Elementary Teachers Network leadership team.
Hartmann is a magnum cum laude graduate of Concordia University Chicago with a bachelor of Music Education.
One parent, in support of Hartmann's nomination, said, "She makes learning music fun for the kids and encourages them in all areas of the music program. Her can-do attitude is contagious. My fourth-grader has just entered the musical arena, and she even made the recorders pleasant on the ears by teaching the kids about all kinds of rhythms and instruments during their introduction to music."
"I would highlight her determination, work ethic, creativity, collaborative spirit, and positive attitude," said St. Peter principal Bruce Rudi. "Rachel was selected to share her gift and knowledge of music with our mission school in South Africa … and did excellent work."
Hartmann led her band and choir to a "Superior" rating at the Trills and Thrills competition, and her choir was the only one invited to join the Palatine Children's Chorus at an upcoming special event. Among her duties are band director for grades four-eight, extracurricular jazz band and summer band camp. She works with solo and ensemble contests, service events in the community, and grading and assessment in all bands.
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