Earlier this year, Lisa Coffey was named C.C. Wells Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, but she is no stranger to the award, as this is her third time being honored. She has won twice at Wells and once at Matoaca Elementary.
Coffey grew up in Chesterfield County and has been teaching locally for 24 years. She also taught at Salem Middle and Bird High schools. In addition, she has traveled throughout the county as an itinerant teacher.
She got choked up talking about the award.
“I’ve been so many places, and to be honored every different place that I’ve been … is special,” Coffey said.
Coffey always wanted to teach music. In the sixth grade, she decided she was going to pursue music thanks to the influence of her band director at Salem Middle School. She felt the love he gave to his students and wanted to give it back to her music students.
Her favorite part of being a music teacher is exposing students to music at the elementary age and later seeing them return to tell her they’re playing instruments because of her. She has taught for so long that she can count her insurance agent and dental hygienist as former students.
“It’s special when you find the connections of the families. It makes you feel part of the community, [and]it just makes me feel happy to be in Chesterfield,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for a better job. It’s just fun; music is fun for me too.”
The trumpet is Coffey’s primary instrument – both her father and grandfather played it – but she also plays guitar and piano. Her mother played guitar.
Coffey received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Virginia Tech, where she played in the university’s jazz, concert and marching bands. She earned her master’s degree in administration and supervision from Virginia State University, and said she would like to be an administrator for the county so she can help other music teachers.
“The way that I view teaching and being a teacher is service, so I feel like there’s still some other people that I could probably help and do more for the county,” she said.
Coffey organizes several musical performances for the school each year, and every grade level has a performance each year. She is the leader of the Student Council Association, is the school’s positive behavior coach and has mentored student teachers and music teachers.
Technology has affected Coffey’s teaching style. Instead of just her with a keyboard and guitar, she and her students can write rhythms on “smart boards.” She said it is amazing to see her students master instruments and watch their talents develop over time.
“I have kids, when they come here, they might have seen it on TV, but to have that live experience of playing an instrument … they get so excited,” Coffey said. “The skill level that they’ve learned … gives [me]a sense that I’ve given them something they can take somewhere else in their [lives].”
