ORLANDO, Fla. — This week’s A+ Teacher Sierra Yoder said she tries to create a safe atmosphere in the classroom so students feel a sense of community while finding their own voice.


What You Need To Know

  • Sierra Yoder teaches choir and piano at Corner Lake Middle School

  • Yoder grew up singing hymns with her family

  • She said she wants students to experience the joy and connection music can bring

  • Here’s how you can nominate an A+ Teacher 🍎

The Corner Lake Middle School teacher said it is important to build a solid foundation for students.

“The goal is to create one voice, and in doing that, you have to create a safe environment,” Yoder said.

Growing up, she was surrounded by music and family. Singing hymns together with her family sparked her love for harmonies, and from an early age, she knew that music would be an integral part of her life.

When she was in high school, Yoder said she found a sense of belonging in the choir that gave her a place to unwind and escape the pressures of school. But as passionate as she was about music, she wasn’t always sure about a career in the classroom.

“I went to college and was studying pre-med then to be a PA (physician assistant) because you make more money,” Yoder said.

But it was during that time that she noticed something was missing.

“I didn’t have any music classes, and I was like, ‘Oh my goodness I need music back',” she said.

She was inspired to pursue a career in which she could offer other students the same opportunity. She had to make music and feel a sense of community. Yoder switched her major to music education, and while she is currently hitting all the right notes, her students are learning all the notes.

“Just creating these different opportunities and experiences with students and getting to see them get excited about it and enjoy it and be passionate about it — about something that they never would have been introduced to at all had they never been in choir,” she said.