Music Teacher Christen Hernandez: How a Good Teacher Influences Their Students

BY DELARA BAKHTYARI

“Being involved in class and creating a positive environment for each class is necessary and required when teaching,” remarks musician Christen Hernandez, a teacher at the National Cathedral School (NCS) in Washington, D.C. Hernandez has worked at NCS for eight celebrated years and been involved in music since she was a student. Hernandez sang in choirs, performed in wind ensembles, and played flute in a band in middle school. She decided to pursue the vocal path in college, where she earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music. 

Hernandez realized she was meant to teach music in her sophomore year of college – now, after many years of teaching, Hernandez believes that the most important lesson she has taught her students is that you must try and that failure is part of learning. Her main goal as a teacher is “to make each and every student believe that you can do anything, and you will, if you try.” Trying to the best of your ability is one of the most effective ways to learn, grow, and achieve success, as without trying, you may never know what you can accomplish. Failure helps us think outside the box and encourages lateral thinking. The popular saying goes, “If you have never failed, you have never lived.” 

While Hernandez is leaving NCS next year, she will carry on an important lesson: “While I hope to inspire my students, they have inspired me to stay playful while I teach and allow myself to sit back from time to time and let my students try things on their own.” She even incorporates dance in her lessons, saying, “While doing a group dance, you have to understand that you must match others around you and work together to create a beautiful production.” Hernandez is sure that her choir is ready to take on any new challenges awaiting them. A teacher who challenges their students creates room for their personal growth and paths to accomplish their goals. She would like the work she has done to continue and for her choir to always have joyful, confident faces when performing. Her students at NCS feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to take classes and learn from Hernandez; now that she is leaving, they wish her luck at her new job and know that she will continue to inspire her students physically, mentally, and emotionally.