Getting to Know Kaila DeLany
Originally from Florida, Kaila DeLany moved to the area in January and is one of the newest members of our team.
In 2014, Kaila moved to Rochester to study Music at the Eastman School of Music. Kaila went on to receive a master’s degree from the Teachers College at Columbia University.
Kaila has been teaching grades 7-12 in public urban schools for the past five years. Prior to that, she spent several years concentrating on early childhood development through music with students (ages 6 months to 6 years.)
Kaila’s work centers on creating culturally relevant and appropriate music education pedagogy in general music and choir classrooms.
“Through this view, we spend time learning, understanding, and performing the full perspective of a piece of music or musical concept so that we can better understand its roots, path through history, and influence in society on a larger scale,” Kaila said.
In addition to being a public school educator and advocate, DeLany also spends time researching and writing about the ways in which music education can grow to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all students regardless of their personal intersectional identities or backgrounds.
Question: What do you look forward to in your work at Middleburgh?
I am enjoying and looking forward to getting to know this community more, as well as playing a role in many of the traditions I have been hearing about but have not yet been able to experience myself. I also very much enjoy visiting Ms. Fagnani’s classroom because I get to hang out with all the animals, play with the dogs, and get to know a lot of our FFA students!
Question: What are your favorite hobbies?
My favorite hobbies include playing video games and making weird art! I am a big fan of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Pokemon, and Stardew Valley. I am always accepting new indie video game suggestions. I also make and collect bold and unusual earrings of all kinds and enjoy wearing them to work each day.
Question: Do you have a motto?
Our best looks different each day from each moment to the next. Only we know when we are giving our best in that moment and only we can know when our best can be better than we are currently giving. It is valid and expected for our best to fluctuate and it does not reflect on our worth as humans!
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