Champlin Park High School music teacher named one of 50 “Directors Who Make a Difference”
(12/12/19) Champlin Park High School (CPHS) music teacher Sieglinde Grivna was a little suspicious while reading an email she received from the editors of the School Band and Orchestra magazine, but her colleague Steve Lyons urged her to read on. What she thought was possibly spam, turned out to be quite the surprise.
Grivna was named one of “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” in the 22nd annual edition of the special publication. A list of hundreds of nominees was dwindled down to just 50 directors, one representing each state.
“There are thousands of other worthy teachers,” Grivna said. “I am so humbled, it is a lovely honor and I hope that I can represent Minnesota well.”
According to School Band and Orchestra magazine, directors were nominated by students (both former and current), colleagues, musical instrument retailers, parents, administrators or others that know them and their passion for music. Each nomination includes a detailed story, helping create a special issue.
When asked what it meant to her to be selected, Grivna was quick to say she doesn’t teach for awards.
“We are here for the students,” Grivna said. “Hopefully through this, I can help motivate another teacher or give them a little push to keep going if they are having a tough time. I feel so complimented — like this shouldn’t be me.”
Grivna is in her 16th year of teaching at CPHS, 17th in the district having spent one year at Jackson Middle School (JMS). She teaches music in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at CPHS, instructing junior and senior students in college-level theory, history, and composition. She is also the director of the clarinet choir.
Her interest in music brings her all the way back to second grade when she began piano lessons. In sixth grade, she joined the school band, but it was the summer band program in high school where she knew what she wanted to do. She wanted to teach.
After raising her children and seeing them finish their time at CPHS, Grivna knew it was her time to get into the classroom and help students find their passion for and create a lifetime of music.
“What I love most about my job is the students,” Grivna said. “They are the best and the reason I get up and come to work each day. They are brilliant, kind, and caring and even when they are having a bad day, they come to class ready to learn.”
In her free time, Grivna lives her passion as she is also a member of the St. Louis Park Community Band. She enjoys playing and building camaraderie through music and will continue to inspire students at CPHS to follow their passion as well.
“I hope that I can help teach my students to know the value of music,” Grivna said. “Music and the arts help us create well-rounded human beings. The world needs creative minds that music will enhance.”
In the magazine, Grivna described her proudest moment as an educator, how she hopes to make a difference in her students’ lives and the most important lesson she tries to teach her students. Read her responses in the School Band and Orchestra special edition.