LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Sydney Cumbest was nominated by an anonymous family member.

Ms. Cumbest does so much to help her students! She teaches her students and colleagues that we have to stand up for what we believe in, even if it's uncomfortable. She is constantly trying to educate students, families, teachers, and administration, and she does so much more than sing.

Ms. Cumbest wants students to have a passion for life. She treats her classes as if she is performing with them.  She could pursue many other different jobs and careers, but she chose teaching because she believes so strongly that she can make a difference and that they are important. 

Ms. Cumbest shares what she can with her students, such as time, money, education, and resources. She easily spends over 50 hours per week at school, not counting the weekends.

"I can't keep up on all the little projects she does to enhance her students' music education and tie it into their regular education," said her nominator. "She was working on her Christmas play, Night Before Christmas, and she was highlighting key words to make sure she emphasizes those in class, since they were students' classroom words. On my printer, I can see the remnants of extra coloring sheets with positive messages she creates for students."

Ms. Cumbest spends a lot of her own money buying treats for students - most recently, she purchased lots of pop-up books of Christmas and patriotic songs, fabric and lights to make her room look festive.  In addition to these children's books, she also purchased books to help her research for her last part of the National Boards. She is almost finished with her Boards, and the process has made her a better teacher."

Ms. Cumbest teaches so much more than music, regardless of the season or activity. She ties in many other things to help students see how what they're learning applies to real-life situations.

"Sydney goes out of her way when we are out to visit with parents, and she always has something nice to say" said her nominator. "She had a parent who was concerned about her daughter in Kindergarten and wrote a glowing email thanking Sydney for her efforts, time, and love for her daughter. We had a discussion last year where Sydney expressed concern about calling parents after hours to praise their students because she knows they are very busy. I would've loved to have heard something nice about her or any of my children."

This year, Ms. Cumbest is trying something different. Her goal is to find church festivals for students to sing at. She has often remarked that students love music with a positive message, and that they want to make the world a better place. 

"Since she has started working at Jackson, she has brought plants from my yard to fill pots at her school," said her nominator. "She found a need and filled it, and she wants the school to be a beautiful place.  She has talked about working with one of her teacher friends to design a gutter with the students to help with hard-to-reach places."

Ms. Cumbest has a happy personality, and she feels better when she sees the students. Her natural, bubbly personality comes out. Her favorite duty is morning and afternoon car duty because she's able to greet everyone, see how they are doing, and give them words of encouragement.

This year, Ms. Cumbest is serving on her school's leadership committee. She makes posters of the songs she creates for students, and even wrote a song they used for their pep rally.

"Last night, she was putting pictures on the school's website using her phone while we watched Netflix. That job is one of many jobs she volunteers," said her nominator. "She also serves on a couple music committees in her district.  I do not quite understand it all, but she is always contacting other music teachers for one reason or another."

"I attend some of her programs.  A few years ago, she wrote one about Jazz which was my favorite," her nominator continued. "She chooses songs for students based on their voices.  She definitely thinks outside the box. Currently, she's doing a program based on the Nutcracker with a twist, but lets the students create their own dances."

Ms. Cumbest is very active within her music teacher group. She helps to run a music festival in her district that was started by her sister, a music teacher who retired 15 years ago.

"Sydney, by nature, is a kind and nurturing person who helps me every day," said her nominator. "I know she is the same at school, probably even more so. Some of her students lack basic communication skills, but her therapy and psychology degree has helped students develop these skills. If Sydney is as nurturing to these students as she is with me, then they have a gem."

Ms. Cumbest cares a lot about her students, and she looks forward to seeing all their faces at the start of the school year. She uses her performance skills in the classroom, bringing in her instruments. Her goal is for each of her students to be in band or choir in high school.

Ms. Cumbest loves teaching children and promotes music education within her school and district.  She has written many grants for xylophones, congas, and other drums to supplement her music room. She chose these particular instruments in order to create deeper connections with her school's diverse population.

"Sydney aspires to bring kindness into the world," said her nominator. "She often remarked about how much she liked that her principals walk the talk. She was impressed by the stories they shared, especially last year."

Ms. Cumbest goes out of her way to make sure students of different faiths are comfortable and respected.  She takes the harder path, the road less traveled. She tries to do the right thing, even if it is the harder thing.  

Ms. Cumbest believes in creating a well rounded citizen.  The area in which she teaches is low-income, and she really wants her students to see that there is more out there than their neighborhood. They have choices and are capable of incredible things. She even shared a parent email thanking her:

"You have always taught [my son] well & also shown them both much love & respect when [my daughter] & I have visited JES over the last 4 years..... It makes me feel safe knowing that [my daughter] will ...grow & mature as a 5 yr old, without being forced to change her personality or suppress her temperament & unique giftedness just to be considered "a good student.""