Meet Anne Fennell | K-12 Music Program Manager, SDUSD, CMEA President-Elect

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anne Fennell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anne, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
As a music educator for 32 years, and now in administration, I am still shocked that people don’t understand the amount of preparation that is required to be a great educator. The preparation happens outside of the word day and the work or school day is the presentation of all of the work. It’s an incredible time commitment to ensure that all students’ needs are being met.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I taught public school music, grades K-12 for 32 years and I’m most proud of the fact that I helped students discover their creative potential. I truly believe that there is a creative person in everyone and that we get to provide the conditions for this to emerge. My path, to this point in my life, was guided by the words, ‘and, yes!’ – I have always seen, and will continue to see, life as opportunities to become our best selves while connecting and helping others. My challenges were many, but I was always able to over come these by working hard and always giving my best, while never losing site of the people around me and their needs. I have absolute faith in the creative potential of all people and when this is activated, there is no stopping it. I’ve always lived by “I hear you, I see you, everything you say and do is important to all of us.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In San Diego there are so many places! Balboa Park is a must with the wonderful museums and zoo, followed by lunch or dinner at The Prado. FanTAStic food and ambience. I’m also a huge fan of Coronado Island and a stroll through the hotel and beach. And for two of the best sky views of the city – 1. Top of the Hyatt and 2. The Marriott Altitude Sky Lounge . For a water’s edge view – Coustera is a must for both fabulous food and a breathtaking night view of the city from the water’s edge. Aslo – a boat ride that goes under Coronado Bay Bridge is pretty spectacular, and I would recommend it for an evening. Two more places – a hike through Torrey Pines and down to the beach and also an afternoon in the Meditation Gardens at the Self-Realization Fellowship in Encinitas is beautiful. And if we can get to La Jolla – every restaurant there is wonderful – along with the beach and a view of the wildlife!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Huge shoutouts to the creatives in the world that continue to share their brilliance – Questlove, Victor Wooten, and Michael Teague. Their words and music are so inspirational. And to a few of my mentors – Judith Thomas Solomon and Barbara Grenoble who saw something in me that I didn’t even know existed.

Website: www.annefennell.com

Instagram: annemfennell

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-fennell/

Twitter: AMFennell

Facebook: anne.g.fennell

Image Credits
myself – or on my phone –