Megan Bordelon ‘10 is among several recent graduates of the music education program at Loyola University New Orleans who have made a passionate commitment to the schools in the New Orleans region. This past spring, she completed her first year as director of bands at St. Clement of Rome School in Metairie, La.
The St. Clement band program has a long history and strong tradition of excellence, and Bordelon’s passion and enthusiasm for teaching provoked her to accept the challenge of maintaining a prosperous music program in spite of many changes within the school.
“Taking on the St. Clement Band program is a tremendous and daunting responsibility; looking at where it began and what it has become is inspiring,” Bordelon said. “My vision is that this program will provoke more people to look at the value of music education and want to give students the opportunity to experience the life-changing art and science of music.”
After graduating in 2010, Bordelon accepted a position as full-time substitute teacher with the Lafayette Parish School System, in which she taught a variety of fine arts survey and instrumental music classes. Although Bordelon found it immensely challenging to work with such diverse populations and differentiated learning styles, she counts her time with the Lafayette Parish schools as a great learning experience.
“It was inspiring to see so many strong music programs, regardless of school population or demographics. It was a bit of a culture-shock to enter the world of public education on two different levels at three different schools,” Bordelon said. “It stretched my abilities to relate to students and create a positive rapport with them.”
Bordelon continued, “Many people are looking for the solution to producing higher achieving students who will become successful, contributing citizens. The problems in education are deeper than ineffective schools or teachers in that we fail to educate the whole student—mind and soul. I believe music is the tool that could break the barriers which have prevented so many students from achieving, contributing, and even more so…finding true fulfillment.”