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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor CHICOPEE Richard Rege, Chicopee's Superintendent of Schools, literally sang the praises of retiring music teacher Christina Guerra last week. Guerra was retiring from her position at the Litwin Elementary School after 36 years with the Chicopee public schools. She was honored on Thursday with a retirement ceremony that included music and dance performances from her students as well as fellow teachers and members of the PTO. Rege spoke about Guerra's career and sang "Climb Every Mountain." A native of Pittsburgh, Penn., Guerra came to Chicopee in 1970 after teaching for a year in Pennsylvania. She spent much of her career at Bellamy Middle School and recalled the many musical shows that were a tradition at the school. She said that while she is going to miss her students and colleagues as well as living in Chicopee, she was sad to note that when she first came to the city there were 36 music teachers in the school system and now there are six. "Every school had music," she said. She said she understands that academic studies are very important, especially in light of the MCAS tests, but that "music and fine arts have taken a back seat." She is not sure if she will be replaced, but noted that Litwin School Principal Dr. Sylvia Abar is very interested in finding another music teacher to take her place. Guerra is starting a new life in Pittsfield where she getting married and will be the organist at the First Baptist Church. |