Wang Haolan

Holly_cn@163.com

THE year 2024 marks Rachel Schlesinger’s ninth year as a music teacher.

A violinist for 22 years, she studied violin performance and music education at the University of Arizona in the U.S.

Motivated by childhood memories of teaching her younger siblings what she had learned in school, and inspired by her violin teacher, whom she describes as “the kindest, most caring, and hardest-working person” she has ever known, Schlesinger decided to pursue a career in teaching. She now teaches music to Grade 1 and Grade 2 students at Shekou International School (SIS) in Shenzhen and conducts three of the school’s string orchestras.

“The most rewarding aspect of teaching is seeing the learning process in action, including all of the students’ successes —whether big or small,” Schlesinger said.

In her first year directing the school’s string orchestra, Schlesinger met a student who struggled to communicate and concentrate in class. However, through playing the cello in the orchestra, the student gradually developed social skills and eventually became one of the top cellists in the group.

“I think I have had a positive impact on my students, and have tried my best to show them kindness, empathy, caring, and passion for learning,” Schlesinger said. “I also think that many students have become more motivated and engaged in learning because of the music classes and the orchestra programs.”