Wake County Teacher of the Year Ignites a Love of Music


As 22 fifth graders file into Kip Caton's class for the first time this year, they enter a familiar room they know will be filled with music. Caton is the "music teacher," but her students leave her classroom with more than that.

Holding a globe in her hands, she quizzes the students about their continent, country, state and town. Then her finger travels across the Atlantic Ocean to Africa and she asks, "How do you get from here to there?"

"Boat! Plane! Submarine! Hot air balloon!" students answer.

Using a picture book, Caton quickly tells the story of Tarzan. She stops when she gets to the part where Tarzan's animal friends invade the camp of the humans visiting the island.

Wake County Teacher of the Year Kip Caton shares the love of music with Fuquay Varina Elementary students.

"This was my favorite part. The animals found all sorts of things they had not seen, pots and pans, typewriters and books." said Caton as she starts a CD player. "Instead of tearing them up, they did something so right, they created music."

There's the pecking of typewriter keys, the crash of a dish, clanging pots and a trumpeting horn, bouncing into a rhythm that explode into joyous scat singing. Caton's foot taps as children sit quietly and beat time on their legs, their shoes and the floor.

"The greatest thing that starts happening in this classroom is that students take ownership of their music," Caton said. "I will send an e-mail asking them how many countries are in Africa and where is Manyanga? My kids will look up research to bring back to the music room."

Last year, the class studied Hawaii. As a result, students helped to fill her room with volcanoes. They had emails arriving from people they had contacted in Hawaii. For Caton, it was an example of the students taking ownership of a research project. They worked hard because the wanted to know more.

"You're always assessing. My expectations for my students are very high and I don't compromise," Caton said. "Children understand. They are eager to please. Just like everyone else, they want success."

At her direction, the children jump to their feet and spread across the room. She explains a rhythm drill, calls it out and then claps her hands to the time. The children try it and repeat it. She changes tempo and lengthens the sequence. Together their hands clap time.

Earlier this year, Caton was named Wake County Teacher of the Year for 1999. She is proud of the honor it brought her school. Caton has been teaching for 20 years in Wake County and at Fuquay-Varina Elementary for 18. She developed her love of music in high school and decided to be a music teacher in college.

"I didn't want to be an educator until I went into the schools as a volunteer," Caton said. "I found it was the place I wanted to be." Her love of music is infectious. Her concern for the children is quickly apparent. She devotes time in class to praise and compliment them.

"I want this to be good. I want your hearts to be right. I want you to know that you are in my heart forever," said Caton. "Please let this be a safe place for you. You are very special to me."

Much of this school year, Caton's fifth graders will study Africa, researching the continent and learning some of the complicated rhythms of African music. Students will be expected to find pertinent information on the internet and spend time listening to selected music. The school year ends with a musical where every child performs on stage.

"The children will learn that music is not a once-a-week class, but a life long blessing," Caton said.