BYMS Band Director, Rita Watson, to Retire at the End of June
Watson plans to run marathons and travel.
After 27 years at Bernardo Yorba Middle School, Rita Watson, Band Director, will retire after this school year.
“This is my 27th year at Bernardo Yorba and my 37th year of teaching music in public schools in California, Texas, and Nebraska,” stated Mrs. Watson.
Mrs. Watson recalled her earliest memories at Bernardo.
“There were only about 12 students in the orchestra and maybe about 670 total in all of the bands. Our marching band uniforms were very old…..the shakos (hats) were very tall and fuzzy white. (If our colors would have been blue, we would have looked like the marching Smurfs!!),” stated Mrs. Watson.
Bernardo’s marching band has had 11 straight years going undefeated in parade competitions, according to Mrs. Watson.
Some musicians from Bernardo are playing professionally and some are now the band and orchestra teachers, according to Mrs. Watson.
During Mrs. Watson 27 years of teaching at BYMS, she has accumulated a number of awards and recognitions. Mrs. Watson’s jazz bands have been selected to play at the State P.T.A. Convention the Distinguished School Award Ceremony, the California Music Educators Convention, and the California League of Middle Schools Conference.
Mrs. Watson’s jazz bands have been selected to play at the State P.T.A. Convention, the Distinguished School Award Ceremony, the California Music Educators’ Convention, and the California League of Middle Schools’ Conference.
Mrs. Watson was awarded the 2009 Outstanding Arts Educator- Secondary Level from the Orange County Arts and Administration Association. In 2010, Mrs. Watson was honored in Sacramento as California League of Middle Schools District 11 Educator of the Year. SCSBOA presented Mrs. Watson with Meritorious Service Awards, the Continuing Service Award, and the Veteran Teacher Award. In 2014, Mrs. Watson was the director of the SCSBOA Jr. High All-Stars.
Mrs. Watson has many plans for activities during her retirement.
“I have a goal of running a marathon, so I hope to put some serious training into that. I have a very tall stack of books that I would like to read. My husband and I hope to travel to some of the places on my “bucket list”……..like Bora Bora!!” stated Mrs. Watson.
In an interview with the Matador Messenger, Mrs. Watson stated what she will miss the most about being the Band Director at Bernardo.
“I will miss the great students in the music program, so much talent and so many fun personalities. I’ll also miss the great parents in our booster organization. I’ve made some close friends that I hope to keep for the rest of my life,” stated Mrs. Watson.
“I will miss making beautiful and exciting music every single day. We are having such a great year in our music department. I’m going to remember these students forever,” stated Mrs. Watson.
Ray • Jun 7, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Man, after all these years, you dare quit? Mrs Watson is simply awesome, cool and jazzy
Jordan Moreno • Jun 5, 2017 at 5:32 pm
We will miss you Mrs. Watson. Thank you for teaching the best class in the school.
Matthew Yee • May 30, 2017 at 2:21 pm
It is heartbreaking to see Mrs. Watson retire from our music program and from this school. I speak for everyone in the music program when I say that we will all miss her a lot when she is gone.
Alexis Herrmann • May 30, 2017 at 2:13 pm
This article is very well written. It is very interesting to learn about all the accomplishments we have achieved due to Mrs. Watson’s extraordinary teaching. We will all miss you Mrs. Watson.
Eric Stratford • May 30, 2017 at 1:21 pm
I thought that this article was very well written and included important information. I’m going to miss Mrs. Watson. She is definitely an amazing teacher, instructor, and person altogether.
David Sanchez • May 30, 2017 at 1:11 pm
This was a great way to honor Mrs. Watson in her last days at BYMS. We will all miss her soooooo much!
Stephanie Le • May 26, 2017 at 3:07 pm
I’m going to miss Mrs. Watson so much!
Collin Chavez • May 26, 2017 at 2:42 pm
Mrs. Watson has done so much for the band and orchestra programs. She will be missed tremendously and she is the BEST BAND DIRECTOR IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE. I am going to miss you, Mrs. Watson. 😭🎺🎻🎼🏅
Carley • May 26, 2017 at 12:57 pm
Really sad to see her go! We all wish her the best!
Hannah Petinak • May 11, 2017 at 7:46 am
We will miss you, Mrs. Watson! Thanks SO MUCH for being such a fantastic band teacher!!!!! And orchestra too!!!!! 🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵
Anthony Trapolino • May 9, 2017 at 2:29 pm
So proud of Mrs. Watson. She really earned this and I speak for all of band when I say that we will all miss her.