Kathy Miron, now full of memories from teaching in Escanaba and Rock, will find more time for kayaking, camping, reading, traveling, and casually playing music in her porch or around a campfire.

She won’t be gone from the scene, though — “I know I will miss the students and look forward to attending many of their future school performances,” Miron wrote to the Press via email. She also remains involved with the Michigan Education Association and intends to “continue advocating through the MEA and National Education Association on behalf of students and public school employees.”

Currently, Miron is the music teacher for all students at Escanaba Upper Elementary (EUE, sometimes called just “the U”) — third, fourth and fifth grades. But she’s done a lot more for students in various parts of Delta County — including teaching other subjects.

Before starting her career, Miron graduated from Gladstone High School with honors and then attended Northern Michigan University, where she was a secondary music education and piano major. At university, she was involved with many musical groups: she performed with the NMU percussion ensemble; played flute for the symphonic band; sang in multiple choral groups; and played timpani for the orchestra, snare drum and xylophone for the marching band, keyboard for the pep band, and trumpet and trombone for brass ensembles.

This announcement published in the Daily Press on Nov. 26, 1986 introduced Kathy Miron as the new band teacher at Mid Peninsula. (Daily Press file)

“Like most instrumental music teachers, I play a little bit of everything,” Miron said. “In addition to piano during music class, I continue to regularly play guitar, ukulele, and various percussion instruments.”

Her teaching profession kicked off in 1986, when she was hired by Mid Peninsula School. There, she served as the high school, junior high, beginning band, and elementary music teacher.

“During my time there, I also taught English 7, junior high math and science enrichment, early computer classes — using floppy disks — and additional secondary-level courses as needed,” Miron said. “I have many fond memories of my years at Mid Pen and still remain in contact with some of my former colleagues and students.”

Miron’s work with Escanaba Area Public Schools began in 2001. Initially, she worked as a traveling band and music teacher. That job entailed rotating through the district’s schools and teaching in multiple buildings every week for several years.

“It’s been a privilege to be part of the Escanaba Music Department now and at that time, along with Vicky Schuh, Bruce Cassell, John Beck, Janet MacKenzie, and Laura Robinson,” Miron said.

Miron taught many grades and oversaw nearly countless productions over the last 40 years. Shown is a Christmas concert she directed in 2017. (Daily PRess file)

During her time with EAPS over the last 25 years, Miron also taught technology at Soo Hill and Lemmer in addition to band and music at Franklin, Ford River, Jefferson, Lemmer, Soo Hill, and Webster Elementary Schools.

“My time at the EUE began as elementary grade levels transitioned from the lower elementary buildings into the Junior High/Upper Elementary building — beginning with sixth grades back in 2004, followed by fifth grades in 2010, fourth grades in 2012, and third grades in 2021,” she explained.

Miron found her time as an instructor to be rewarding and enjoyable.

“In my 40 years in education, there has never been a single time when I regretted my decision to become a public school teacher,” she wrote. “It has brought me great joy to work with so many students throughout the years and watch them move on to band, chorus, and orchestra at the junior high and high school levels. I also enjoy hearing about what they continue to do in their technology classes — it is always changing!”

She noted that she especially appreciated the opportunity to observe students’ progression as she worked with students in multiple grade levels.

In 1982, a young Kathy Miron plays piano and receives feedback from Harold Wright, who later taught her at NMU. (Daily Press file)

“As students grew older, we would reminisce about how difficult it once was to simply form a circle during our songs,” she said, adding that all grade levels at the EUE begin each year with a drum circle — a delight each fall.

“Beginning in January, third-graders work with rhythm instruments, fourth-graders learn recorder, and fifth-graders play ukulele, which is another favorite time of year,” Miron wrote. “Of course, many students also love to sing, and annually we perform both vocal and instrumental music during our Winter and Spring programs held in the beautiful William Oliver Auditorium at the EUE. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful performance space in our community.”

For many years, it was tradition for fifth-graders to perform songs from kindergarten during their end-of-year concert.

After the 40 years Miron spent educating local youth, most of her former students are grown, and many have found success of their own.

“It is always satisfying to reconnect with former students and hear that music continues to be an important part of their lives — whether through band, chorus, orchestra, musicals, church performances, local music groups, or simply by continuing to play or sing for enjoyment,” the teacher said. “Every year, I also have former students return and proudly tell me they still have their recorder and remember how to play it! It always makes me smile.”

Throughout the years, Miron has been active in the local teachers’ union. She has been president of the Escanaba Education Association for 12 years and serves on the EEA Professional Negotiation Team.

“I will greatly miss working alongside my colleagues, whose dedication and service to the students of Escanaba continue to make a lasting difference,” Miron said.

However, she’s looking forward to exploring the next phase of her life, and cited the appealing opportunity “to pursue personal interests and new experiences.” She said she plans to travel both abroad and within the United States, read books that have been waiting, and continue enjoying outdoor hobbies and making music.

“I feel very fortunate to have spent so much of my career with the Escanaba Area School District and truly believe our schools provide outstanding opportunities for kids to grow and succeed,” Miron said.