05/24/2021
We saved one of the best for last...last, but not least...Mrs. Diana Neely. Here's what she had to say...
"Hi, I'm Diana Neely.
I taught Music at Sunflower from 2000 to 2018. I have so many positive and happy memories of being at Sunflower. During my time I had the privilege of working with lots of terrific Teachers and Staff Members, 4 supportive Principals, fantastic Head Moms -who worked tirelessly on our programs along with a multitude of of caring Parent Helpers and of course hundreds of Wonderful Students.
I remember the many neat things we did in and out of the Music room. Events like the 4th grade choirs singing at the yearly Gardner "Christmas in the Park", going to Gardner Leisure Homes and performing for the elderly Residents and our choir end of the year performances where we got to dress up, dance and shine. Then there were times when the Pre-K and K got to take their "Show on the Road. " We would perform in some classrooms, in the office or on the Sunflower stage.
I always enjoyed the end of the year Field Days when Mrs. VanRheen let Mrs. Hunt and I do the Dance Party on the stage. We Loved doing the Limbo, Electric Slide and of course... the Macarena. For Carnival we loved doing the Pick a Duck in the Music Room. We always got to see so many students on that night both present and past Sunflowers. What fun!!.
I loved teaching the students the values of notes and rests, about the staff, composers, playing with many different rhythm instruments and of course the recorders. Just to name a few classroom activities.
I'm sure this will come as no surprise to anyone who knew me well, but my very favorite memories of teaching at Sunflower are of the Sunflower Grade Level Programs. Oh, how I loved doing those musicals with "my kids". We got to do so many fun and exciting shows. The Children transformed into many, many different types of characters such as Farm, Forrest and Jungle Animals, cute chicks, howling dogs, bears, singing cats, dancing Gingerbread children, tumbling Rag Dolls, Elves and so so many more. We portrayed real Musical Legends like The Beatles, Little Richard, James Brown, The Andrew Sisters with 50's Poodle Skirt Girls, Rock and Roll Dancers, Hippies, Footloose Dancers and of course the King of Kings (and sometimes we had several) ELVIS!!! What a joy those performances were for me!
Even though I retired from teaching in 2018. I still look back on those days with a Smile in my Heart. It is my sincere hope that I gave each student a time to shine, a special moment and a positive memory to carry with them on their travels thru life. I wish all of you the very best in the future.
Congratulations Sunflower on 25 Years!"
