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"I have seen him in action, I have seen the letters of thanks from former students, and I have seen the faces of the students he is currently teaching. As a principal, that's all I need."
Jay Silvernail is the principal of Elk Mound High school, a small, rural
school of 280 students, most of whom come from farm families. "Our
sports teams have typically done very well, and community/school spirit
has tended to revolve around them. But there was not much pride in the
music portion of the curriculum. Then, five years ago, Rob Mondlock picked
up the baton."
Mondlock immediately started a jazz band and show choir even though there was no place in the daily schedule for these two courses. Students were willing to come in at 7 a.m. for rehearsal.
"For many of our students, this means after their chores," said Silvernail.
This past year, both of these groups received a first place at the State Music Competition, and they performed Class A material. The band now numbers over 50, and the choir has 85 members.
"As the featured high school choir at the UW-Eau Claire Choral Festival, they received a standing ovation, and the university's director expressed his amazement that a small school could produce such excellence," Silvernail said.
While this may be unusual for a school the size of Elk Mound, it is even more noteworthy because of this band and choral director's past.
"I am a former high school dropout," Mondlock said. "I grew up in a very dysfunctional family situation. I never really knew my real father, but I have known four stepfathers. Few of those memories are happy ones, and many painful events come to mind as I recall my childhood."
Mondlock, who was held back in the 2nd and 5th grades, believes he had some sort of learning disability. "I probably still do," he laughs, "so in my music classes, I make a conscious effort to explain the music in ways that are totally different from the notes and symbols on the page. Sometimes I joke, and at other times analogies do the trick. I used one just the other day when I said "Play it like it was dark, rich, creamy milk chocolate dissolving in your mouth and running down your chin. Isn't that different from eating cotton candy?"
Steve McCullogh, the special education teacher, is a strong supporter of the music program. "It became clear to me that Rob recognizes those kids who, like himself as a child, are handicapped or disadvantaged. He affords them a host of opportunities that he knows will make a positive difference in their lives. For special education students who may have felt disenfranchised in the past, his expanded music program gives them the chance to feel particularly welcome."
"From
the stories he has told me about his past — the neglect, the numerous
stepfathers, the foster home abuse, and his many failures in school —
it is a wonder that a former high school dropout like Rob has achieved
all that he has. Some students, who are themselves struggling with home,
peer and school pressures, know of his story. Many times, Rob will take
them aside and offer his help or encouragement. It is clear he has overcome
enormous adversity, and his personal outlook on life is reflected in his
teaching," McCullogh said.
"I have observed firsthand so many students experiencing so many positive things that enhance their self-esteem and personal mystery as a result of Rob's efforts," McCullogh added.
Middle School music teacher Vicki Lovestraud agrees. "I have had the pleasure of observing firsthand the wonderful gift Rob has in bringing out the best in aspiring young musicians," she said. We all marvel at his ability to take a choir of 85 or a marching band of 90 high schoolers and hold them in the palm of his hand, molding and shaping them so that every aspect of their future is enhanced."
Mondlock believes that "people hear music with their eyes as well as their ears, but that they feel music with their soul." He quickly adds that "music has the ability to stir every human emotion imaginable. All of us have music in our lives in some way."
In addition to his hectic high school schedule, Mondlock is director of the Ludington Guard Band, a city band in Menomonie. He also was hired to direct the UW-Stout band. Last year, Mondlock was chosen Elk Mound's Teacher of the Year by the Greater Menomonie Chamber of Commerce.
In his life away from Elk Mound, Mondlock is the leader of a dance band known for its excellence. This group, aptly named "TSR (Teacher-Student Relationship)" has existed for 25 years. He also founded and performs in a brass quintet.
Mondlock sums up his career this way:
"I was fairly successful in the music business I started. But I wanted something more. The 'more' walks through my classroom door every day."