It’s really a great day every day, even when it’s tough. I like sharing my passion with students and then seeing their own unique passions shine through their singing, whether it’s something totally different than music or something they’re really passionate about in that one song.”

Louella Derrico, MS/HS Choir Teacher

As the Stanley-Boyd middle school and high school choir teacher, Ms. Louella Derrico is well into her second year of teaching. Graduating from Colby High School, Derrico continued her education at UW-Stevens Point where she earned her degree in Music Education. After college, she moved to Withee, Wisconsin where she lives with her boyfriend, Adam, who she met in high school. Early in her high school career, Derrico was a three-sport athlete playing volleyball, basketball, and softball but she went on to only play softball her senior year so she could have time to focus on music. “I was a choir and band geek; I did all things music that I could.” In addition to singing, Derrico learned to play saxophone, piano, flute, clarinet, and violin.

Derrico always knew that she wanted to have a career where she could help people, but she originally planned to find a job in the medical field or in social work. She didn’t decide to become a music teacher until her senior year in high school when she was inspired by her own high school band teacher, but she can’t imagine being anywhere else. Working one on one with students while she was student teaching in college opened Louella’s eyes to what she could accomplish and pushed her to keep going with her studies. “I noticed that I am making a difference in these students’ lives, and they recognized that. And so, I’m like, ok, I can make a difference in more students lives if I just keep going, and now, I’m here and I think I’m making a difference.”

She enjoys teaching and helping her students push through their challenges. “I really love it. It’s really a great day every day, even when it’s tough. I like sharing my passion with students and then seeing their own unique passions shine through their singing, whether it’s something totally different than music or something they’re really passionate about in that one song,” she said. “I really do like seeing students overcome different challenges and then realizing that they overcame that and then recognizing their success and being proud of their success,” she commented.  Derrico explained that even if students are not the best singers or learn everything that she hopes they learn, she knows that they will have music for the rest of their lives.

Derrico’s favorite sports are volleyball and softball, and she is always ready to cheer on her favorite team, the Wisconsin Badgers! When she has free time, she enjoys relaxing on Sundays or cooking, baking, and canning with her family, who she is very close to. Derrico’s favorite tv show is Friends, a sitcom that she has bonded with her mom and sister over. Her two parents and three siblings all live in the area and she was happy to find a job close to her family. “That was kind of a goal after graduating,” she explained that she was excited when the job at Stanley-Boyd opened up. “I knew I wanted a teaching job somewhere around home.”

Working at Stanley-Boyd was Derrico’s first job after graduating and she will forever be grateful to Stanley-Boyd for giving her the opportunity and hiring her when a lot of schools wouldn’t, due to her lack of experience. “Stanley took a chance on me and offered me a job and I’m forever thankful. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. I’ve been welcomed with big wide-open arms and been supported ever since,” she commented adding that everything happens for a reason.

Derrico enjoys traveling and has already traveled to nine countries with seven of those being visited when she was still in high school. In high school, her band director nominated her for Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music where students all over the state travel to countries in Europe to perform at various concerts. “That high school trip was another really big part of why I went into music.”  Switzerland was her favorite country to travel to and she added that going from the busyness of Paris to the peacefulness of Switzerland was “really nice.” Derrico commented that she has Irish ancestry on her mom’s side, and she is planning to visit Ireland soon with members of her family to learn more about their history. “Fingers crossed that we can go,” she commented.

Derrico mentioned that her students are very excited about the upcoming 2024 High School Choir trip to Atlanta in April, and she is too! “We talk about it once a week,” she commented. She shared that she is excited to see her students continue to grow as musicians and work hard in preparation for their trip. Derrico went to Georgia with her high school band so she is familiar with some of the tourist spots but adds, “Now I’m on the teacher side of it so that will be different.”

Now that Derrico has found her place at Stanley-Boyd, she is able to join in other activities at the school. Last Spring, she helped coach the 12U softball team and mentioned that it was nice to get to know some middle school parents and students who aren’t in her music classes. As long as her schedule allows, she hopes to continue coaching.  Derrico was also excited to be a part of the Jungle Book play performed by the students of the Stanley-Boyd Drama Club this past week. She remarked that when High School English Teacher Kayleigh Steinmetz asked if she wanted to help, she quickly agreed,“I’m all for a musical!”

Navigating the world of being a new teacher and learning classroom management has been the hardest challenge Derrico has had to face so far. “Being the newbies and trying to navigate this whole new world blindly has been really challenging.” She adds that now that she’s in her second year of teaching and knows the students a little better, a lot of those challenges have left and she is faced with new challenges, like finding music that the students enjoy that isn’t on the radio. Derrico is a fan of Taylor Swift music and enjoys singing it during karaoke with her students but her own music taste is eclectic and includes pop, classic rock, country, and “whatever she is in the mood for.”

As a teacher, Derrico has become invested in her students and their lives. “I wish people knew how much teachers really do care about students. I hate disciplining because I feel like I’m breaking kids’ hearts. Honestly, I’m trying to think of every way possible that I can show these kids that I care about them whether it’s a reward day or writing them a nice message or sending a nice email home.” She mentions that her students are always on her mind. “I wish people knew how much teachers cared about students  outside of academics.