[00:00:02] **Announcer:**
It’s time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools…

[00:00:24] **Announcer:**
Let’s send you to longtime Director of Communications and host of *In the Loop with LPS*, Dallas Ackerman.

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## **INTRODUCTION**

[00:00:35] **Dallas:**
Welcome back, everyone, to *In the Loop with LPS*. Hard to believe we’re already into October — six or seven weeks into the school year. We have another great guest this week: **Mr. Aaron Money**, Director of Fine Arts for Liberty Public Schools.

Aaron, year **#14** in your role — where does the time go?

[00:01:15] **Aaron Money:**
My friend, I know. I look the same as I did 14 years ago — at least if you look at my ID badge. But yes, it has gone fast. My kids have grown up; I’ve got a senior and a freshman now. They were four and one when we moved here from Blue Springs.

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## **AARON’S PATH TO FINE ARTS EDUCATION**

[00:01:59] **Dallas:**
Let’s go down memory lane. What sparked your interest in the fine arts?

[00:03:39] **Aaron:**
My middle and high school teachers. I needed a place to fit in, and I found it in **theater and music**. My teachers encouraged me, saw something in me, and got me involved. I performed in theater and sang in choir.

I grew up in the Rockwood Summit area in St. Louis, then went to **Central Methodist University**. I double-majored in **music (choir)** and **theater/speech/debate**.

My mom was a teacher, my dad a psychologist — so education was always around me. I loved my time at CMU (the five-year plan worked great because of the double major!).

After graduating, I taught middle school in Odessa, Missouri for two years. Then my wife and I moved to Chicago so she could pursue theater. I taught in an urban district — a totally different experience — while she kept getting theater jobs back in Missouri.

So we moved back. I landed in **Blue Springs** teaching middle school choir for six years.

Eventually I realized:
“I want to impact more students. I want to uplift the arts on a bigger scale.”

I got my specialist degree in administration, Liberty opened its Fine Arts Director position, I applied… and here I am. And it’s been a blessing for my family and me.

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## **LIBERTY AS A FINE ARTS DESTINATION**

[00:06:47] **Dallas:**
Before taking the job, you already knew Liberty had a strong fine arts reputation, right?

[00:07:05] **Aaron:**
Absolutely. Liberty was a *destination district* for fine arts — music, theater, speech and debate, visual arts. Taking the job came with pressure:
“Can we maintain this level of excellence?”

That’s always been the goal — and still is.

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## **WHAT HE’S MOST PROUD OF**

[00:07:31] **Dallas:**
What are you most proud of during your 14 years?

[00:08:28] **Aaron:**
A few things:

### **1. Partnerships**

We’re one of only **100 school districts nationwide** affiliated with the **Kennedy Center** in Washington, D.C. That connection brings opportunities for students not available everywhere.

### **2. Attracting and retaining outstanding educators**

Liberty remains a destination for fine arts teachers — and our community still rallies behind the arts.

### **3. Performing at high levels**

We present at state and national conventions and are seen as curriculum leaders.

### **4. The Liberty High School Performing Arts Center**

Before it existed, students didn’t have the same opportunities. Now? It’s transformational — a source of pride for the entire community.

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## **THE BUSIEST SEASON IN FINE ARTS**

[00:10:28] **Dallas:**
October into November is packed with concerts and productions. How do you manage it?

[00:10:31] **Aaron:**
September is preparation month. Starting this week, concerts launch at Liberty High School and Liberty North — and continue next week.

We also have student crew internships where kids learn backstage operations for concerts they may one day perform in.

Then we roll right into:

* Middle school plays
* High school musicals
* Speech and debate tournaments
* Art exhibitions

It’s a very fun (and very busy!) time.

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## **FALL PRODUCTIONS & BIG EVENTS**

[00:11:16] **Aaron:**

### **Music Highlights**

* **Liberty High School Women’s Choir** invited to perform at the state convention
* **Warren Hills Troublemakers** invited again to state convention (their 4th time!)
* **Liberty North Chamber Choir** performing at **ACDA National Convention** in Denver this February

### **Middle School Plays**

* *How to Survive a Shakespeare Play* (SVMS & LMS)
* *Aladdin* (play version)
* *The Haunting at Heritage High* (written by former Liberty teacher Chris Gregory)

### **High School Musicals**

* **Liberty High School — *The Addams Family*** (November)
* **Liberty North — *The Wizard of Oz***

* *Featuring professional flying effects for witches and flying monkeys!*

### **Visual Arts**

* Student artwork on display at Belvoir Winery (QR code purchasing)
* Student art exhibitions at the District Administration Center

### **Speech & Debate**

Tournament season begins this week.

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## **TICKETS & COMMUNITY SUPPORT**

[00:14:01] **Dallas:**
How can people get tickets?

[00:14:01] **Aaron:**
Visit **lps53.org/finearts**.
Tickets are:

* **$5** for students and seniors
* **$10** for adults

Reserved seating — just like selecting seats at a movie theater.

High school shows sell out quickly, so buy early!
We even added an extra performance of *Wizard of Oz* to meet demand.

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## **BEHIND THE SCENES — WHAT IT TAKES**

[00:15:55] **Aaron:**
Teachers begin planning shows in **March or April** of the prior school year.
Rehearsals run **6–8 weeks**, daily after school for 2.5 hours, plus occasional Saturdays for set painting and construction with parent volunteers.

It’s a massive operation — but incredibly rewarding.

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## **MARCHING BAND, ELEMENTARY ARTS, AND MORE**

[00:18:23] **Dallas:**
The Liberty North Screamin’ Eagles marching band just had a big result at Sedalia.

[00:18:28] **Aaron:**
They did fantastic. It’s competition season for them — and Liberty High School’s band starts competing this week.

On the elementary side, we’ve expanded arts partnerships:

* **Pre-K–2:** What If Puppets
* **3rd grade:** Origami & math integration (artist from D.C.)
* **4th grade:** Cultural music & dance
* **5th grade:** Writing rap lyrics as a writing process workshop

A very exciting year so far.

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## **THE FINE ARTS TEAM**

[00:19:55] **Dallas:**
Tell us about the people behind the scenes.

[00:20:17] **Aaron:**
We have **87 fine arts teachers** across Pre-K through 12th grade, plus:

* Matt Allison (Assistant Director)
* Jennifer Brown
* Paula Brody
* Stephan Edwards
* Rand Brown
* John Adams

They support teacher needs, communications, ordering, logistics, and community connections.

Our teacher corps is a healthy mix of 20-year veterans and brand-new graduates — a perfect blend of experience and fresh energy.

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## **ADVICE FOR NEW TEACHERS**

[00:22:07] **Dallas:**
What advice do you give new teachers?

[00:22:07] **Aaron:**
Use your **support system**.
Ask questions.
It’s okay not to know everything.

Just like students, teachers grow best when they feel safe asking for help.

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## **BEST COMMUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION**

[00:23:17] **Dallas:**
We need to highlight a major honor — the **Best Communities for Music Education** award. We’ve earned it 11 straight years.

[00:23:32] **Aaron:**
Yes! Only **384 districts nationwide** receive it — and we are one of only **two** in Missouri.

It’s based on curriculum, community support, staffing, resources, and student participation.

We also received the **Educational Theater Association Premier District Award** last year — another rigorous national honor.

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## **COMMUNITY PRIDE**

[00:25:11] **Dallas:**
People outside the district constantly compliment Liberty’s fine arts. How does that feel?

[00:25:45] **Aaron:**
It feels wonderful — and yes, a little stressful!

But our focus is always:
“How do we make the biggest impact on students?”

If we do that well, the accolades follow.
Our team of educators makes it happen. The Board and community make it possible.

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## **CLOSING**

[00:26:40] **Dallas:**
Aaron, we appreciate everything you and your department do. It’ll be a busy few weeks, but we’re proud of you and your team.

[00:27:18] **Aaron:**
Thank you for letting me take half the time to talk today!

[00:27:35] **Announcer:**
Thanks for choosing to spend time with us on *In the Loop with LPS*. Visit lps53.org to stay connected.