“Wow! Dang! Wow!” was all a judge from the state large orchestra festival had to say when the Symphonic Orchestra played on Mar. 10. The orchestra, lead by Julie Hoffman, received a state rating of 1, the highest score possible.

Julie Hoffman has made a great career at CHS and is retiring at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. She formerly was the sole orchestra director in the district. After years of nurturing the program, more teachers were added at the middle school and high school levels.

When sixth period comes around, her students from symphonic orchestra are excited to hurry from lunch to the office of their always cheerful orchestra director. Whenever she is in her office, adoring students and staff members come see her throughout the day.

“The best times with her are when I can just sit down and talk to her about my day,” Adam Garrett, a senior violist from symphonic orchestra, said.

Garrett has a long history with Hoffman. He talked about the first time being introduced to Hoffman’s orchestra string program for elementary students in third grade.

“I was the first one to turn in the interest form the next day,” Garrett said.

Garrett met Hoffman personally for the first time his second week into 4th grade.

“It’s not hard not to get along with her. She is always so happy to be teaching, and she likes to know how you’re doing outside of orchestra” Garrett said.

Hoffman has received the Outstanding Music Educator Award from the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association and the Secondary Music Award from MO-ASTA. In her career, Hoffman’s orchestras have been invited to participate in the London Parade, traveled through Germany, Austria and Slovakia, performing in music festivals throughout the country and at the Missouri Music Educators Conference.

“Her impact [in the district] has been immeasurable, without her so many people would have completely different lives,” Garrett said. “Take me for example, if you know me, you’d probably notice that I’m pretty high-energy. Well, as an elementary and middle schooler, it was a lot worse. She has spent her time knowing me not only teaching me how to play an instrument, but teaching me how to be a good student and person.”

Hoffman’s education style is very special in Clayton’s school community. Hoffman, not only teaches the curriculum, but also connects with her students to give them invaluable life skills.

Hoffman is always looking out for her kids. She stayed behind until the end of solo and small ensemble festival, which ran late into the night, in order to pick up items left behind by some of her students.

“I plan to spend the rest of my time after retiring with my husband,” Hoffman announced to her classes a week later after a performance important to the symphonic orchestra at the Missouri Music Educator Association conference.

“I was happy for her! I was in her last elementary class and her last year at teaching at CHS, so am not effected by her retirement,” Garrett said. “If I was a junior or a freshman, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

After retiring she plans to spend time with her husband, who is also retiring. Hoffman met her husband through his sister, Ann Geiler, the middle school orchestra teacher.

“Her and Mrs. Geiler, they have been best friends for years.” Garrett said.

Garrett spends a significant amount of his time in the music wing and has seen first hand how well liked Hoffman is among her colleagues

“Every time they talk about or mention Mrs. Hoffman, its nothing but praise. She gets along so well with the other teachers, and they’re all good friends” Garrett said.

Julie Hoffman has instilled her love for music by embracing each student with her passion for education.Though many great words are to be said about Julie Hoffman, Garrett summed up her personality and teaching style in one word, “Caring.”