Teachers have a special way of touching the lives of their students. But very few have the opportunity to truly connect with their students and form lasting relationships. Among these few teachers is the coveted position of high school choir director.

Joe Little, Perry choir director and guitar teacher, has had many opportunities since the school opened in 2007 to connect with students and to teach them. But as this school year comes to a close, so does Little’s time here at Perry, as he will not be returning for the 2015-2016 school year.

Always filling the choir room with positivity, choir director Joe Little has mastered the art of engaging his students and helping them learn and grow.

Music is not the only focus in a typical choir class at Perry. Little commented that “I feel like I am encouraging people to do their very best, in not only a choir situation, but in life. I am always sharing short, inspirational quotes [in class] and I hope that I make a difference in people’s lives.”

This goal shines through for all that have experienced Little’s determination to make an positive impact on his students.

At last choir concert of the year, senior Sarah Chapple, president of Concert Choir, commented, “I have been in choir for four years and Mr. Little has touched my life so much and made me a different person. I don’t want to get emotional, but that is how I feel about Mr. Little because I am really grateful to him.”

Little believes that the best part of his job as choir director has been meeting all of the people that have participated in the Arts Department over the years.

One such person is Perry orchestra conductor Dr. Alex Zheng, who commented that “[Mr. Little] always puts the students first. He cares for the music, and for the students.”

Zheng continued that Little is incredibly humble, kind, and an incredible team-player.

Little has built the Perry choir program from the ground up, and has made leaps and bounds for the school, the community, and in the lives of both families and individuals. He will be severely missed by all those that knew him.

Arrangements for a replacement teacher for the 2015-2016 school year have been made, and both Little and the choir students anticipate great things to come in the next several years.

Little will leave behind him a legacy of positivity and hard-work that lives on the the students in the Arts department and those here at Perry.