?? Victor Falls teacher named Whole Child Hero ??
Congratulations to Ryan Payne, music teacher at Victor Falls Elementary School for being the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District’s Whole Child Hero for the 2024-25 school year.
Mr. Payne was nominated by his school administrators, who said he has been a transformational music teacher and leader the last three years at Victor Falls and is a highly-valued and respected member of the VFE staff.
“He is deeply empathetic, reflective, and curious, while consistently seeking to ensure each of our students is deeply engaged in music,” according to his nominators. “Mr. Payne builds outstanding rapport with students, families, and colleagues.”
In his music programs, students make suggestions and give input on the songs and then lead the entire performance. At VFE’s recent Winter Concert, Ukrainian students researched and taught their peers and the audience about the history of Carol of the Bells or Shchedryk. Grade-level concerts at VFE are regularly attended by 400+ family and community members. At the end of each concert, Mr. Payne solicits audience feedback for future concerts.
One example of Mr. Payne’s work is his implementation of Modern Band, an extra-curricular club for fourth and fifth grade that meets during recess. Much like during class and performances, Mr. Payne collaborates with the students to build from their interests and strengths to modify and create music that engages the musicians in the band and the audience. This year, the enrollment in Modern Band has more than doubled, with 40 students participating each trimester.
About one-third of the VFE Modern Band are multilingual students – they are learning to speak, read, and write English proficiently. Modern Band is a place where these students find belonging and work on their English in a supportive environment, as well as share their home language through song with their classmates.
Mr. Payne has also earned grant recognition through the National Education Association and the Washington State Music Teachers Association, along with the school’s PTO to purchase instruments so that every child who wants to be part of Modern Band can be.
Mr. Payne’s goal is not to create a few lifelong musicians, but to ensure that each and every student has a deep appreciation, enjoyment, and understanding of music. His enthusiasm, strong work ethic, effective communication skills, reflective nature, and effective instructional skills have transformed Victor Falls Elementary School’s music program and the lives of their students. He is truly a Whole Child Hero!
SBLSD strongly believes in and practices the whole child educational philosophy, going beyond the academic focus to include physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing.?
