WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — A+ Teacher Rebecca Senko teaches at Rainbow Elementary School in Winter Springs. She says over the past three decades, everywhere she has taught, her students have risen to the occasion and excelled at every musical challenge she gives them.
What You Need To Know
- Rebecca Senko has taught general music, music theater, orchestra and chorus
- Senko's husband is a former music teacher, and their daughters are orchestra teachers
- Here’s how you can nominate an A+ Teacher
Senko shares a lot of words of encouragement as she teaches third graders violin. She said, “I’ve noticed that the kids love to be challenged.”
The passion she has for music resonates with her students. You can see it on their faces. The dedication and concentration.
“Kids are doing amazing things academically. Like I’m old so compared to when I was in school — school is much more challenging than it used to be, and they can do that in music too,” she said.
Her students are thriving at it too.
Senko said, “Every time I’ve ever challenged my students, they’ve risen to the occasion. Sometimes I think I’ve pushed them too far this time and they’re not going to be able to do it and they always do.”
Senko remembers clearly when her love of music started.
“I think I got it from my parents at home because my dad was a pilot in the Air Force, so we moved a lot, and it changed every single place you go to. But my parents instilled that love of music. I heard big band music every day of my life at home,” she said.
It is a love of music that she is now passing along to her students.
“I remember last year when I gave a violin to a first grader. The first time. He looked up at me and he goes, ‘This is the best day of my life.’ Right. Because they never thought that they could pick up one of these things and play it — it is one of those things that other people do. It’s so special. But it’s really not. Everybody can do it,” she said.
Her family plays a big part in her success and she is not the only one who enjoys music.
Senco said, “Honestly, my success as a music teacher is largely because of family support. First my parents, then later, my husband, a former music teacher for 14 years; now an assistant superintendent for elementary in Seminole County Public Schools. The last few years, my daughters, now orchestra teachers, and I talk about teaching strings several times a week. We share ideas and attend each other’s concerts to help out.”