Kristen Friend

Band director at Mercer MS in Loudoun Co VA!

My favorite past times include buzzing into metal tubes and shredding a mean rendition of "Hot Cross Buns."

[Wolf Trap Education @WolfTrap_Edu]

Congrats to this year's recipients of Grants for Performing Arts Teachers, comprised of innovative middle + high school performing arts teachers from across the #DMV, including @fcpsnews @LCPSOfficial @dcpublicschools @pgcps @MCPS + @APSVirginia. More → https://t.co/2rGHoL0REZ

[Adam Grant @AdamMGrant]

Strong relationships don’t need agreement. They need alignment.

Agreement is having identical opinions. Alignment is having shared values.

Agreement is taking the same path. Alignment is heading in the same direction.

Closeness is a matter of commitment, not consensus.

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

Ms. Lenky’s lesson was rewarding to observe today! Data-driven instruction was abundant, and students were excited to share their learning! #learningwalk @LCPS_Mercer

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

Reflecting on the last month with SO much to be grateful for: amazing 6th grade band concerts, outstanding progress made by 8th grade prepping for assessment, and chamber music performances in 7th grade. @LCPS_Mercer Band students are killing it!! #mercerband @MrsManningMusic

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

@LoudounSYO is CRUSHING it today!! So proud of all of these musicians, but especially the two @LCPS_Mercer students, Ashu and Jason!! #mercerband #mountainlionsinthewild

[Adam Grant @AdamMGrant]

When you're committed to a goal, it’s motivating to look ahead at how far you have left to go. Staring at the summit fuels grit.

When doubt creeps in, you’re better off looking back at how far you've already come. Seeing your progress builds confidence and commitment.

[Gum Spring Middle School @LCPS_Mercer]

@MrsManningMusic & @Mrs_Friend_MMS encouraging and empowering our Mountain Lions today!

[Gum Spring Middle School @LCPS_Mercer]

Band 8 invited their peers to join their performance today! It's only Q1 and our students sound superb. Keep it up @Mrs_Friend_MMS! #ROARasONE

[Mrs. Manning @MrsManningMusic]

Our 8th graders loved performing the fight song along with the Champe Marching Knights, getting to know their future HS band friends, and watching the HS band perform their competition show! #proudteacher #marchingband @Mrs_Friend_MMS @ChampeBand @LCPS_Mercer

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

7th Grade Brass and Percussion classes shared what success, creativity, and leadership meant to them. I'm amazed at the number of times students mentioned "helping" when thinking of leadership. It's going to be a great year!! #ROARasone #bandteacher #musicteacher

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

Loved welcoming back our 8th graders to Mercer! We were in a room FULL of student leaders today! #ROARasone #musicteacher #bandteacher @MrsManningMusic

[Mrs. Manning @MrsManningMusic]

Getting rising band 6 welcome packets ready for students!! So excited!! 5th grade Students: look for these soon! @Mrs_Friend_MMS @DiehlNikisha @LCPS_Mercer @arcola_dragons @CardinalRidgeES @LCPSLiberty @GoshenPostES #mercerband #welcometoband #middleschoolmusic

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

Weather got you down? Looking for a getaway? Join @MrsManningMusic, me, and the @LCPS_Mercer 6th grade woodwinds at Woodwind Beach!! Next flight leaves Friday afternoon!! 😂 @LCPS_Mercer #bandfun #woodwindclass #bandteacher #googlemeet #technologyfun #distancelearning

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

Showing empathy and holding students accountable helps them overcome challenges. Love this wisdom - both are necessary to help students build resilience! #LoudounLearns @RodRobinsonRVA

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

"Culturally responsive teaching is built on relationships." Love the insight this morning from @RodRobinsonRVA! #LoudounLearns

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

Made a meme for our @LCPS_Mercer band students today. For some reason, only a few of them got it. . . At least @MrsManningMusic gets my jokes! 🤣 #generationalgap #teachertweet #musicjokes #punny #gopractice

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

We also asked 6th grade what they were excited for this year in band. I LOVE that "playing" and "learning" are so big! Opportunities to "play" with content provide ripe conditions for deeper learning! #teachertweet #bandteacher @LCPS_Mercer @MrsManningMusic

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

6th grade had some really thoughtful comments today when asked "what do you love about music?" Love that the focus here is FUN!! #bandteacher #teachertweet #inspiration #musicisfun @LCPS_Mercer @MrsManningMusic

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

@MrsManningMusic @LCPS_Mercer Woah. . . calm down with the rhyme. . . I don't know if I can think of a response in time. . .

HA! #nailedit

[Kristen Friend @Mrs_Friend_MMS]

One more from today. . . students also shared what they were excited for this year in band. Overall, lots of excitement for learning new music and working together as a team!! @LCPS_Mercer #bandteacher #teachertweet #ROARasONE #inspiration