Austin M. Green is making a difference by impacting the lives of his students in the Dillon District Four School District.
Mr. Green is a native of Dillon SC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Claflin University and is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Higher Education from Arkansas State University.
In his current roles, he serves as a music teacher at Dillon Elementary School and Assistant Band Director for Dillon High and Middle School’s band programs.
Mr. Green is a member of several professional and service organizations. He is a member of SC Band Director’s Association in which he serves on state level committees, Tri-M Music Honor Society, a member of (NAfME) National Association for Music Educators and a proud member of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity.
What inspires Mr. Green to make a difference? “What inspires me is my faith and all of those who have poured so much of themselves into me, making me the man I am today. I am deeply indebted to pay it forward, ” Mr. Green said.
“I truly believe in doing the work, not for accolades, but rather doing the work to the best of my ability and God-given call. The work is ongoing, but differences are made; be it in one child, one class, one community, or one sound at a time,” Mr. Green said.
How does Mr. Green make a difference in the lives of others? “I consider my classroom a place of ministry and service to the young minds in which I serve. I’m literally teaching the future, and I don’t take that lightly, ” said Mr. Green. “The classes that I musically cultivate will be the generation solving some of our world’s major problems. The sky is not the limit for my students….there’s more beyond the skies, ” said Mr. Green. “Establishing meaningful relationships at the elementary age is my secret. I give a safe space to confide, encourage teamwork, support, and allow my ‘talk and walk’ to align. In my classroom, everyone is someone, and we treat each other how we would like to be treated. I find myself going the extra mile just to have a conversation with students or checking up on them to see how they are doing, popping up at their various sporting events or other activities. I often joke that I don’t teach music… I teach life through music, and I ENJOY DOING IT!. Mr. Green said. “Bringing smiles and lots of organized noise we call music. I had the opportunity to help send students to college and aid them in receiving scholarships, both music and academic. Lastly, I am truly amazed at the power of influence and believe that someone is always watching or learning even when class is not in session. Therefore I’m always teaching, and if I’m not teaching….I am learning,” he said.
To others on how they can impact the community, Mr. Green says, ” No matter what part you play (and we all have a part), whether you think it’s big or small, we have to be the change we wish to see, and it starts with you. Little by little, we can all shift the narrative. We may never know the impact a simple gesture and a little grace can have on someone’s life, but imagine if we all operated in our calling for the good of ALL man kind.”
BLACK HISTORY MONTH DIFFERENCE MAKER: Austin M. Green–Teaching Life Through Music
