8/30/2021
Education and Outreach
Elementary music specialist Anna Stein gets invited to a lot of theater productions.
That’s because they all feature her former students, who continue performing through middle school, high school and even college.
“Before the pandemic, I attended a winter program at our feeder school and was delighted to see that all the lead parts and many supporting roles were played by former students,” says Stein, music specialist at Marion Earl Elementary School. “I cried for joy after the performance and received many hugs.”
This only represents a fraction of her impact.
Teaching since 1977, Stein has helped raise funds for students and families in need, overseen a pivotal youth development program and created many supportive initiatives for students.
“My passion for teaching goes beyond measure,” Stein says. “Seeing our children grow and evolve into wonderful, smart and vivacious people has always been my number one goal and purpose.”
In recognition of her tremendous efforts, The Smith Center honored Stein as one of the top 20 teachers for its sixth-annual Heart of Education Awards honoring outstanding Clark County School District (CCSD) teachers.
With support from the Rogers Foundation, she received a $5,000 cash award and a $1,000 donation to her school.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Stein says of receiving the award. “I do what I do out of love for the children and the music.”
Providing Crucial Support
When Stein sees students and families in need, she doesn’t hesitate to help.
While working as a music specialist at Laughlin Elementary School, she raised money for underprivileged children by volunteering to put on musical productions with students and adults.
All funds raised benefited the Family Resource Center that helped low-income families.
“There was a need to help parents pay for soccer, karate, dance and general needs,” she says. “If someone couldn’t pay their electric bill, we would assist, no questions asked.”
She also served as the preliminary director of the Nevada Cinderella Girl Youth Development Program in Laughlin.
This provides girls and teenagers with help in developing life skills, self-esteem, public speaking and interviewing strategies. It also offers opportunities for college scholarships.
“The most important skill we at the scholarship program provided was self-confidence and interview skills,” Stein says. “Numerous participants indicate that these skills have helped them in their adult life.”
Reaching Out in Two Languages
Although she officially works as a music specialist at Marion Earl Elementary School, Stein says she often found herself serving as a translator for the school’s largely Spanish-speaking population.
She began noticing a pattern, she adds.
“I realized that students who struggled with the English language and were predominantly from low-income backgrounds had the most trouble with basic subjects, and were not receiving adequate help due to the language barrier,” she says.
Stein addressed this by creating a nonprofit tutoring program "Free Tutoring for Kids."
This provides free bilingual tutoring for underprivileged students, with CCSD teachers and students from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada serving as tutors.
“Many parents can’t thank us enough. Some offer gifts and lots of goodies,” Stein says. “We know what it is like to be in need, and we are happy to be needed.”
The high need for English-to-Spanish translation also inspired Stein to write and publish bilingual children's books and songs for use in the classroom.
Proceeds went to purchasing school supplies for children in need, and to benefit Nevada’s Desert-Valley Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association that combines music and learning.
“I wrote the books to retell stories my mother told me as a child,” she says of the books that educate readers about Spanish, English and music. “I wanted to share them with my own children and others.”
Creating Arts Opportunities
Stein also created several programs that bring the arts to students at Marion Earl Elementary School.
She conducts rehearsals each morning with the choir and theatrical programs. After school, she works through the Orff Schulwerk musical education initiative to help children with playing on piano and string instruments.
Stein takes great pride in seeing some of these students featured on PBS and at various community events.
“I love educating and making a difference in our students lives,” Stein says.