Educator Ann Medellin has been teaching in the Vancouver Public School District since 1992. Despite teaching at two middle schools, performing with the Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Orchestra, and other local orchestras, and playing on three soccer teams, she still finds time to meet me for coffee. It doesn’t take long to see that she’s not only incredibly dedicated to her students and the district but also a motivated mover and shaker.
Ann has worn many hats in the district—besides teaching orchestra, she helped launch the Vancouver School for the Arts, served as the Performing Arts Coordinator for the entire district, and even held the position of Dean of Students for a time.
Ann’s current role is Strings Teacher for both Gaiser and Jason Lee Middle Schools, and she lights up when talking about her students.
The COVID shutdown was challenging for everyone—especially for orchestra and band students who had to contend with lagging videos and Zoom sessions that allowed only one mic at a time, making it nearly impossible to play music together. Many students set their instruments aside and never picked them up again – a heartbreaking thing for a music teacher to witness.
Determined to keep the musical spark alive for her students, Ann committed herself to expanding the program and bringing families together through a collaborative all-orchestra concert. To attract attendees and inspire her students, she had the idea to bring in a professional musician who would work with the kids on their pieces and perform at the event.
That’s when the first Strings Extravaganza was born.
Through a grant from the Foundation, Ann was able to secure the North Pole Cello Quartet. “That first concert was so emotional,” she recalls. “It was the first time the community had gathered—everyone was masked, and we were setting up chairs wherever we could. Parents were there to support their kids. It exceeded our expectations.”
Since then, Ann’s classes grew from one at Gaiser and two at Jason Lee to three and four, respectively. The String Extravaganza is now an annual event and has grown to the point that each school has their own performance.
In our conversation, one theme kept emerging: teachers are brilliant problem solvers. This is a major reason why the Foundation exists—to help educators support their students. Teachers have the most direct connection to students and their families, and when challenges arise, they often devise creative solutions. If financial support is needed beyond what the district can provide, that’s where the Foundation can help.
When I asked Ann what parents say about the string program, she told me that many say it’s the best thing that has happened to their children—highlighting the friendships formed and the positive classroom culture. “They see the value,” she says, adding that since the concerts began, she’s noticed increased parent involvement and volunteering in the classroom.
The Foundation is delighted to help teachers like Ann achieve their goals for their students and find innovative ways to bring our community together.
-Leah Middleton, Communications Coordinator for FVPS
