Beloved Edison Elementary Music Teacher Retires
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By Margaret Hunt
Cynthia O’Lane, longtime music teacher at Edison Elementary, retired this month. Photo by Christine Loehr
After a 39-year teaching career, including 10 years as Edison Elementary’s music teacher, Cynthia O’Lane retired at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
In her time at Edison, O’Lane became one of the most beloved teachers by students, parents and fellow teachers alike. She developed a robust music education program, including instrumental music and song writing; annual grade-level music performances; a Shakespeare club; and a student talent show.
Perhaps most meaningfully, O’Lane embodied what it means for learning to be joyful.
O’Lane started her classroom journey in California after earning a bachelor’s degree in music education and master’s in special education. She went on to work as a special education teacher, classroom teacher and music teacher.
O’Lane’s passion for students was her favorite thing about being a teacher.
“I love seeing kids shine. Kids are my instrument,” O’Lane said.
And it is true. In the words of fourth-grade student Hannah Hunt, “Inspirational, fun and heartfelt. Every school needs a Mrs. O’Lane!”
In retirement, O’Lane will join the Denver Adult Strings Camp Symphony, a community of adult learners who also perform around Denver. As a lifelong learner, she said she is eager to continue developing her skills on the violin.
Friends and colleagues of O’Lane set up a GoFundMe site at gofund.me/f810f9d3 to assist with O’Lane’s health care costs during treatment for stage four metastatic cancer. Dozens of comments about O’Lane’s impact on her students accompany donations made toward a $60,000 goal.
“I hope this outpouring of support and love shows you that you are brilliant, loved and treasured,” said one parent. “You have given each of my children the gift of music. Your impact as a teacher, a friend and human in this world is something each of us can aspire to.”
O’Lane will be missed in the halls and classrooms of Edison, but she leaves a legacy of musical joy, grace and creativity that will not soon be forgotten.
More: Denver Adult Strings Camp Symphony will perform on Saturday, July 27, at the Mapleton Arts Center. Details can be found at dascsymphony.com/calendar.
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