Miss Kendall
My name is Marie Kendall and this is my fourth year of teaching music at St. Theresa Catholic School (STCS). I consider myself very fortunate to be teaching all the grades. I also have the additional blessing of teaching Religion to the first grade class.
I first became interested in teaching during my undergraduate studies at the University of Saint Thomas. My degree emphasized the two disciplines I enjoy most, music and theology. In college, my love for music was greatly amplified and at the time I thought it would be truly a dream come true if I would be able to work in a field that would combine my love of these two areas of study with what I believe to be my greatest talent, working with children.
Teaching at STCS has made this dream a reality as I am not only able to share my love of music with children, but also to share that which is at the very core of my life, my Catholic faith! This combination of being able to share both music and the Faith with children has been a great blessing from God; one for which I thank Him every day.
I am very fortunate to be at a school that values an education in music and one that incorporates the Catholic faith into the music curriculum. As the basis for our music curriculum we employ the Ward Method; one that was specifically designed for music instruction in Catholic schools. I have a great regard for this approach to the development of musical talent and have high expectations that it will provide all of the children with valuable and memorable experiences thereby giving them a lifelong appreciation and love for beauty.
All my students enjoy the daily participation in the singing of our songs. As our classroom motto emphasizes, “It is my joy O God to praise you with song, to sing as I ponder your goodness.” I hope that this motto will stay with the children and that its meaning will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
I am very proud of all my students and the progress they are all making. I am also grateful for our dedicated parents and the support they are to both me and my fellow teachers. Above all, I am grateful to God for the many blessings He has graciously bestowed on me.