*Every once in a while I'm reminded of the amazing job I have working with so many gifted students and the influence I have on them.  When Mrs. Gramuglia asked her 5th grade class to think of someone who was an "Essential Piece" at Paloma Elementary they chose me.  As if that wasn't honors enough, they decided to write a rap song to express it!	The Teacher With the Side-Combed Hair written by: Andres Stewart Rachel Cintron Conor Winning Junevie Madrinal
Hey, you can sing but you don’t wear bling. We see you there every Monday with the side-combed hair. You’re teaching us rhymes and taking your time, To teach us music so we can really shine.
	We see you after science and we have math after lunch, But we want more ‘cause you sing with so much love. We see you when we’re walking home. You drive by, we wave, "Hi!" And we think to ourselves, "We wish it was Monday!"
You like music - we like rap. Let’s get together and make a band. We’ll be the teachers and you’ll be the apprentice. You will be sitting in the chair with your side-combed hair. You’ll be learning symbols while you sit over there.
	Some students say, "I don't care.  Why should I learn while you're standing up there?" But we do care because you put music in the air And you teach us to care about ourselves, if we dare. We'll bring your music out there with love and care 'Cause we've got the teacher with the side-combed hair. So there!
	When I became a teacher at Paloma Elementary, I thought I was going to change their lives with music. It didn't occur to me they would change mine in the process. Julie McConnell