Music Meets Mentorship
“Over the years, the program has experienced tremendous growth. This growth wouldn’t have been possible without the Education Foundation. This program would not exist without the support they can provide because of local donors.
We teach more than “just music.” In addition to the music component, kids learn skills like collaboration, accountability, teamwork, engineering, branding, marketing, and more.
Watching a student walk in and pick up an instrument for the first time, maybe an instrument they’ve always dreamed of trying but couldn’t, it’s something special.
That’s when the magic begins.”
E.C. Glass High School English teacher Casey Wood is known for his contagious smile, huge heart, and diverse musical talents. But more than anything else, Casey is admired for his ability to encourage students to be their best selves every day and take chances that make dreams come true.
A band kid at heart, Casey began teaching at E.C. Glass High School nineteen years ago. Because of his own background, he understands how music can transform lives, motivate students, and enhance creativity and confidence, ultimately leading to greater overall student success.
Over the years Casey has taught thousands of students, both inside and outside of the classroom, many of whom have gone on to fnd success in professions where they are able to exercise and utilize the skills they learned in Mr. Woods’ music program. First a club, the Rock Band program morphed and grew over the years to become what is now the Hip Hop Class at E.C. Glass. Current enrollment in the Hip Hop Class, which is in its seventh year, is around 100 students, made up of five classes, and these students develop valuable skills that carry over into a variety of jobs. Many of these jobs are quite technical in nature, and require hands on experience with tools that bring creativity and innovation to life. And that’s where the Education Foundation comes in.
The cost of the equipment and instruments required to teach this class can be exorbitant. But, the Education Foundation strives to support innovative programs through financial support outside of the LCS budget.
“Simply put, this program wouldn’t exist without the contributions of the Education Foundation. They’ve provided instruments like guitars, drums, and keyboards, and technology in the form of computers and sound mixing software,” and then, with a chuckle, he added, “I think they even got me the chair I’m sitting in.”
The program has achieved notable milestones in the last few years, including launching its music label, Breaking the Glass, and releasing a full album plus two singles on all streaming platforms. They recently added a new component to the program: podcasting, which has taken the digital medium industry by storm, culminating into a nearly $24 billion industry.
The skills, dedication, and passion of Mr. Wood, coupled with the support of the Ed Foundation has created an opportunity that is a unique and innovative program that challenges and motivates students to do and be more than they thought possible.
“I graduated from E.C. Glass in 2015 and continued my education at Full Sail University, earning a degree in audio engineering. Today, I’m a thriving producer, manager, and social media influencer with nearly 300,000 followers. I’ve been fortunate to travel and live my dreams.
A few years ago, I was honored to return to E.C. Glass to share my experiences and skills with students in Mr. Woods’ class. This opportunity benefited the students while helping me grow as an individual.
Mr. Woods is more than just a music teacher; he’s a mentor who empowers students with valuable life skills. His innovative program is unique and makes a lasting impact on young lives, and I encourage anyone considering supporting this program to do so. They will be equipping students with a better future.”