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EDITOR’S NOTE: The LaGrange Daily News is doing a Q&A with all of the teachers of the year in the Troup County School System. Today, we are writing about Alyese Cross, a Music and Art Teacher at Hollis Hand Elementary School. We asked her 20 questions, and we shortened this interview to some of our favorite responses.

Alyese Cross has worked in education for 8 years. The first four years were at LaGrange Academy. The past four years have been at Hollis Hand Elementary School with the Troup County School System. 

Alyese is married to her best friend Jeremy Cross. They have been married for 5 years and met at the start of their public school teaching career in the TAPP program through West Georgia RESA. Jeremy was a TCSS employee as well until this year when he transferred to Manchester High School to coach football. They have two girls: Riley is four and will likely join Alyese at HHE next year, River is three and will continue her learning with Alyese’s parents.

At Hollis Hand, Cross leads the school chorus for grades 3-5. She loves being able to share her love of music, singing and performing with the students who bring energy, creativity and excitement. 

“The students always put on exceptional performances and are always looking forward to the next thing,” Cross said. 

Outside of school, Cross is a worship leader at her church, Church of the Highlands in Opelika. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Fine and Performing Arts Department at LaGrange College, her alma mater.

What inspired you to become an educator? (Or who?) 

“My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Rape, inspired me to become an educator at a very young age. She was kind, engaging and her care for all students was apparent and infectious. I wanted to be that for students when I got older and thanks to her, here I am! I also come from a long line of educators; my grandfather was a principal, my grandmother was a teacher, my mother was a teacher, my dad taught at the collegiate level in addition to practicing law and my older sister is a teacher, so I’m just keeping it going!”

What are your career aspirations? 

“It is my desire to become the old and beloved music teacher that everyone fondly remembers and speaks of inspiring them to music and fun one day. I want to be remembered for fostering a love for music and challenging students to be their best and give their best in everything they do.”

 If you weren’t a teacher, what career field would you be in? 

“If I weren’t a teacher, I would pursue singing and performing full time. I so enjoyed it in school and wouldn’t mind doing it again.”

What hidden talent do you have that might surprise your students and our readers?

“I am a trained classical opera singer. I don’t do it anymore but that’s what I went to school for in undergrad and grad. I performed with the Nashville Opera Company and the Atlanta Opera Company and contemplated making a career out of it and then graduated and promptly began teaching and left it all behind.”

What fictional character (from a book, movie, TV show, etc.) represents your teaching style?

“I think Whoopi Goldberg’s character in Sister Act represents my teaching style. I try to be fun, engaging and relatable (even if most students probably find it cringy LOL) but also can be firm when needed in order to produce the best results. And at the end of the day, I only want students to reach their full potential and develop a love for the arts.”

What’s the most creative/unique project one of your classes has worked on?

“Several students from various grade levels had the opportunity to perform as munchkins in LaGrange College’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” this past fall and man was that a fantastic experience not just for them but for me as well. Students had the chance to be a part of a professional production complete with phenomenal staging, set, costumes, music, the works and it was the experience of a lifetime that I nor they will ever forget.”

If you could invite any historical figure to speak to your class, who would you choose and why?

“I would choose Quincy Jones. He did everything. He recorded, produced, composed, arranged, played and I feel like we could learn so much from him and the work he accomplished in his lifetime. Him or Adele. I mean, she’s the best.”

What’s the most rewarding part about your job? 

“The most rewarding part of my job is the end of the year and getting to look back at all we were able to accomplish. All the shows we were able to put on, all of the performance opportunities we had throughout the community. Also, being able to teach Art and Music at the same school is an absolute BLESSING that I do not take for granted!”

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

“The most challenging part of my job is feeling like there is never enough time in the day or year to get everything done! But it all manages to come together in the end. Every single time.”

What’s the most unusual excuse a student has given you for not completing their homework? 

“I don’t typically give homework but I have heard all the excuses as to why lines aren’t learned. The most typical excuse is to of course blame their mother for the reason their lines were misplaced (rolls eyes lol)”

What did it mean to you to be named your school’s teacher of the year? 

“Wow. Where do I even start? I honestly didn’t even think I was in the running because I’m not a homeroom teacher. So, I didn’t even think of it as a possibility. But to be named Teacher of the Year as a teacher of the fine and performing arts is unreal and such an honor that I do not take lightly and am so thankful to represent.”

 On a weekend or a summer day when school is out, what are your favorite activities? 

“I love to find activities that my girls and I enjoy. I love reading, having date nights, weekend trips with my hubby when we can get them and just enjoying time with my family.”

As your students transition to the next grade or graduate in May, what is one key takeaway you hope they carry forward from their time in your class? 

“It is my hope that students will take with them the love and passion for music and performing arts that they cultivated with me in elementary school. Whenever I run into former students, I always ask them what they’re doing and inquire if they’re still performing in any capacity and I’m always thrilled to find out that they are. I hope they always will.”