Clara McGarvey, 8th Grade, Features Editor
The band strikes up the most recent tune that gets everyone moving to the beat. The conductor waves her baton as she directs the students of Noe Middle School. This is not your everyday conductor, this is none other than the award-winning Band Director Linda Pulley.
This year Pulley was named by the Kentucky Music Educators Association, “Middle School Teacher of the Year.” But to Pulley, greatness is how she tackles life.
“Ms. Pulley challenges students to take personal responsibility for their craft and perform at high levels,” said Chorus teacher Russell Cooper. “She elevates our entire team with her commitment to excellence.”
Pulley grew up in Morganfield, Kentucky, where she found her love for music in the school band.
“Ms. Pulley makes us practice for 30 minutes everyday and has really high expectations, but is also super fun. Pulley don’t play.”
8th-grader Wilson McGarvey
Pulley was quick to realize that hard work and dedication were what would get her to the top.
In the seventh grade Pulley was influenced by another band member who encouraged her to become a band director, Pulley said, “I was in seventh grade and I was asked to play in the eighth-grade band. I was sitting by a girl named Lisa who played bass clarinet and she said to me, ‘you know you can be a band director’. I thought, you could make money being a band director? She said, yes. And she said, ‘You need to make all-county and all-state band and you need to audition for a scholarship for college’.”
With hours, years and sweat poured into clarinet practice, Pulley took Lisa’s words to heart.
Pulley made all-county band, state band, and got a full scholarship at The University of Louisville in 1999.
Pulley earned a bachelor’s degree of music and teaching in musical education, becoming a recognized and appreciated musician.
After college, Pulley set out to continue her musical journey, teaching at different schools until she found the one that suited her best, Noe.
Pulley said, “I student-taught here over 22 years ago, and I walked in on the first day and I thought ‘I really like teaching middle school.’ But I taught high school for fifteen years. On the side I would give up my planning to come teach at Noe. Then Ms. Lyles (the former band director at Noe) retired and I took over the program.”
Pulley is a respected member of the school, and pushes her students to do their best and succeed to become the best band in Louisville.
Wilson McGarvey, a student in band said, “Ms. Pulley makes us practice for 30 minutes everyday and has really high expectations, but is also super fun.” Later adding, “Pulley don’t play.”
