A ‘Life-Changing Experience’: 2023 Fellows Explore LMC’s Unsung Heroes

Ali Jun (NV ’21)
K-5 music specialist | Tyrone Thompson Elementary | Las Vegas, NV

Being an LMC Fellow was nothing short of amazing. To be honest, I wasn’t 100% sure what I was getting myself into, but I felt passionate about the idea when I first heard Norm Conard (KS ’92) and Silvia Miranda (NM ’18) speak about Unsung Hero projects at the Milken Educator Awards Forum several years ago.

As a music educator, I wasn’t sure how I would fit in. I teach kids how to read, play, and appreciate music. I don’t teach AP History. I don’t help students cite references for research papers. I had visited LMC about a year ago with my family and was in awe of the beauty of the projects and the sentimental meaning behind them all. Every project was powerful and spoke to me. I knew I had to put my imposter syndrome to rest.

Norm and the LMC staff set us all up for success. The speakers were very helpful and insightful. They gave me tons of tools to take back and share with my colleagues. We went through the entire process of producing an Unsung Hero project in my classroom from beginning to end. I started researching the heroes my students and I could connect with, and the floodgate of ideas opened. I teach a unit on songs about activism and realized the Unsung Hero concept would tie in perfectly.

I had no idea how much history there is in Fort Scott and I was delighted to visit the Gordon Parks Museum, Fort Scott Cemetery, and Fort Scott National Historic Site. Walking on each and every hand-placed brick was something I won’t soon forget. Everywhere we went in the town, the people were so friendly. I even made friends with the local music teacher and her husband at dinner one night! I felt like a rock star walking down those historic streets as friendly strangers shouted “Hi, Fellows!” And being awarded the key to the city was a total shock and left me speechless (a rare occurrence).

I’ve already shared LMC’s K-5 lessons at my school, and a handful of teachers have asked how they can help and be a part of an Unsung Hero Project. My principal also invited me to be a guest on his podcast. Of course I talked about what a life-changing experience being an LMC Fellow has been, both personally and professionally.