Hallie Martin
In the middle of 4th grade (I believe it was maybe 2009/2010) I moved to Archer Elementary, everything was scary, I was shy and upset. Mr.Willey brought so much comfort in that whole transition. I can remember him saying “Well Hallie, what school are you coming from?” Idylwild.. “ohhh so you’ve already met my sister! I bet you can’t guess what she teaches?” (I probably guessed anything and everything but music, because I just couldn’t fathom more than one musically inclined sibling. he laughed and finally told me it was Mrs. Hyatt) “you’re going to fit right in, I hear she has amazing students!”
Later on in the school year we were learning how to square dance and slow dance in his class, we were told to get in pairs. Being the new kid was still awkward so naturally, I didn’t have a partner. But Mr.Willey was not about to let a student sit out. We danced and showed the class how it was done. And although Square Dancing hasn’t been useful knowledge to me yet, I have Mr. Willey to thank for my prom dance not being an absolute train wreck years later. It’s coming up on 2024 soon enough and I’m still so grateful I got to meet such an amazing character, so genuine.
