"Over the years, I realized I'm making a huge impact on these kids. Every time I come in here I can teach them something new. I owe it to my students to continue during what I'm doing. "

Mrs. Gregg is an accomplished bassoon player and had originally planned to freelance with local orchestras. While leading Lyon High's band is more than a full time job–she still finds time to play professionally. She says it's not just something she enjoys, but something that benefits her students too. "When I play in orchestras and get that high level musical fulfillment, I bring that back to my students. I can teach them new things."

Under Gregg's guidance, the school's music program has improved tremendously. When she started there were only 63 students, now that number has more than doubled. "Our percussion section so good that I just wanted to join it because it sounded so cool," one student said.

"I think the potential for excellence inspires students," Karen explains. "When I first came here I don't think they believed in themselves at all. They thought they were valued because of how well they could play the school's song at a football game."

She continued, "Once they could see they had something excellent and that they could be successful they were willing to work that much harder."

Thanks to the students' dedication and practice the band has become the pride of Lyons High School. While Mrs. Gregg is proud of her students, she doesn't expect all of her kids to become professional musicians. Her goal is to build an appreciation for music. "It's to create an audience for those of us who do play. They're going to fill the concert halls and buy the records or live artists and keep the music alive."

Please join 9NEWS, CollegeInvest and Metropolitan State College in congratulating Karen Gregg, the February 2007 9Teacher Who Cares.