Robert Person
 |
2017
Robert Person
Friend of Education
Robert Person taught all levels of instrumental music during his 37 years at Beatrice Public Schools. His recollections speak to his professionalism. “My two fondest memories of teaching in Beatrice Public Schools are the great students whose lives (musical and otherwise) that I was privileged to be a part of and the great staff of dedicated educators of which I was honored to be a member.”
His high school marching bands consistently created high caliber routines and pep bands under his direction always kept school spirits high. The city auditorium was always packed for his concert band performances. During his first 23 years, he was responsible for Senior High Concert, Marching, Pep, and Stage Bands, and Junior High Concert and Pep Bands. His last 14 years in Beatrice he was responsible for Fifth Grade Band and Lessons, and Sixth Grade Band in the Middle School. He also assisted with Seventh Grade Band and Eighth Grade Band in the Middle School and Senior High Band during this time.
His nominator said, “Mr. P, as he was known to his students, instilled a love and respect for music in his students. He chose music that would both inspire and challenge us in order for us to do the best job possible. He was hard on us at times, but always showing his hope and desire for us to be better musicians as we went through the band, starting in elementary school right through high school.”
Person was an active member of professional organizations. He was a member of Beatrice Education Association serving as a Building Representative and on the negotiations committee. He was chair of the negotiations committee twice. He also served on the Nebraska State Education Association Board of Directors.
In addition, he was Chairman of Band Affairs for the Nebraska Music Education Association and the Class A representative for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association.
His nominator spoke for many of his student musicians. “I was honored to have him as a teacher, and he remains one of the most influential teachers that I have had. And there are hundreds, if not thousands of his former students that feel the same way.”