Sometimes it’s hard to believe teachers have lives outside of classrooms, let alone hobbies or events that they care about.
“You don’t really think about what they do outside of class, or that they may have things they are passionate about too,” said junior Claire Fuller.
English teacher Martha Beall  is passionate about her hobby; playing the piano in an Irish band.   This is something she enjoys doing and is obviously committed to, shown by how long she has been participating in the band; starting several decades ago.
“[I was inspired to play in an Irish band by] my neighbor Sean across the street, who started taking fiddle lessons, focusing on Irish music.  From his front porch, he could hear me playing Broadway tunes and wondered if I could play in the Irish style as well,” said Beall.
The band Beall joined is called “The Irish Breakfast Band” because they eat breakfast together than play their music.
“We meet at each other’s homes, preferably ones that have a piano,” said Beall. “We [also]  played at Alexandria’s First Night, a New Year’s Eve celebration with venues all  over the city, and at Fairfax Town Hall concert in the spring. We play at area festivals as well.”
Beall also has a natural talent for composing; she has composed several airs and waltzes herself.  The band performs her music, and has even recorded two CDs, “Sean’s Treasure” and “On High Cross Farm.”  With her music as such a significant part of her life, Beall tries to involve her hobby into her teaching, too.
“While I don’t play Irish music for my classes, I do incorporate music and the arts in my AP Literature curriculum,” said Beall.
Beall isn’t the only teacher with a life outside the classroom.  Director of Student Services Jennifer Knox spends her time making stained glass panels, fused glass jewelry and dishes.
“I started five years ago when the principal at the school I used to work at shared their hobby with me and got me interested in it,” said Knox, “It’s relaxing and allows me to express myself artistically.”
Knox eagerly shares her hobby with others, giving her pieces as gifts. Those who receive them have a piece of art that means so much more than a store bought art piece because it was made by someone they know with true talent.
“I tend to give everything I make away.  I like to make things for people and have made dozens of soap and dessert dishes for Christmas gifts already.  I just ask people their favorite colors and go home and make them a gift,” said Knox.
Knox believes stained glass is a hobby that truly fits her personality and allows her to enjoy her free time in way that will help her unwind from a long day at work.
“I like it because it’s artistic, kinesthetic and takes a degree of precision which is all a part of me.  I like the exactness it requires and that I am in control up to the point I put it in the kiln. Twelve hours later, it could come out totally different than I planned, so there’s an element of surprise too,” said Knox.
Sometimes, students forget that teachers aren’t only teachers and that  they don’t live at school.
“We are with teachers the majority of the day so they are very influential on our lives. [Teachers who are devoted to hobbies] inspire me to be passionate about my hobbies, too.” said Fuller. “People can be passionate about whatever they want to be, including teachers.”