Join me in celebrating arts teachers

Thank you to my arts teachers…and my life teachers! [Kennedy Center]( [Kennedy Center]( [Thank an Arts Teacher]( Dear {NAME}, One of my favorite things about working in the arts is how it allows us to share. From spending moments together in the audience to telling our own stories, the arts give us unique ways to connect. Last week, we launched a special campaign all about sharing stories of gratitude. Together with AMC Theatres and the ever talented Ariana DeBose, we put out a call for stories about arts teachers—in schools and communities—who have made a difference, and you delivered! In just a few days we’ve been able to start filling up our [Gratitude Wall](. If you’ve already shared your story, thank you! But if you’ve not yet had a chance, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to thank a teacher of your own. [Share your story]( Each day I’ve taken a few moments to sit down and read the messages we’ve received, and it’s brought such joy and reminded me of my own arts teachers. Today, I want to share [my message of thanks](. I am grateful to have had four incredible arts teachers and mentors—Harry Jarvis, Margie Glassman, Tibor Zelig, and Mehli Mehta. On paper, they were my music teachers. But in practice they were my life teachers. With their training I learned piano and violin, but more importantly I learned things like the importance of developing a strong identity and sense of self, the power found in community and teamwork, and the value of hard work and determination. [“On paper, they were my music teachers. But in practice, they were my life teachers.”] [Thank you to my teachers]( and thank you to everyone who has shared their own story. Yes, arts teachers teach us how paint or dance or read music…but more importantly they teach us how to laugh and discover and make the world a better place. [Join me in sharing a ‘thank you’ message today](. Deborah P.S. After sharing your own message, help us spread the love by sharing this campaign with your family and friends! [Download our social media toolkit]( and help us share more messages of thanks! --------------------------------------------------------------- [Share your story!]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [facebook logo]( logo]( logo]( logo]( [The Kennedy Center welcomes guests with disabilities.]( [View email in browser.]( | [Forward this email.]( You are receiving this email based on your preferences. [Edit preferences.]( | [Unsubscribe.]( Please do not reply to this email. Add membership@kennedy-center.org to your address book or safe list to ensure delivery. We respect our patrons’ privacy. [Read our privacy policy.]( [Contact center & FAQs.]( The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566 Instant Charge (202) 467-4600