Music is not a dwindling subject at Redwood Elementary, in fact, it is alive and well with music teacher Wyn Pratt.
Pratt teaches music for grades K through sixth and enjoys teaching students subjects such as math and reading through music. She helps students put together a music program once a month.
“Every month a grade from first through fifth will perform a play,” she said.

Pratt said it is good for students because it builds up their confidence and self-esteem.
“It’s a wonderful experience for me and them. They learn diction and clarity and they learn their lines,” she said. The students perform their play twice — once in the afternoon for the student body, and one that night for their parents.
The subject matter of the plays differs for each grade. It depends on what they are currently learning and what they are interested in.
“Fourth grade is focusing on Mississippi right now. They had a big play about Mississippi music and culture.”
While music is her passion, she still is dedicated to teaching any subject to children and has taught regular classes in the past.
“My degree is in elementary education with an endorsement in music.”
She received her undergraduate degree from Millsaps College in 1990. She then began teaching at Grove Street Elementary School while pursuing her Graduate degree from Mississippi College.
“At Grove Street I taught regular sixth grade for three years,” she said. She then took a year off and went with her husband, Thad Pratt, to Washington D.C. where he interned for six months at the Headquarters for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
She came back to Vicksburg and received her graduate degree in 1996, and began teaching at Redwood Elementary.
“I taught kindergarten and then fourth grade for eight years,” she said.
She then took off for four years to raise her children, Mallory, now 16 years old, and Sarah, now 11 years old. She came back to Redwood in 2007, and began teaching music. “They needed a music teacher and I’ve done that ever since.”
She has a good reputation and Leslie Mobley, a counselor at Redwood elementary said she is a hardworking teacher.
“Mrs. Pratt always goes above and beyond what is expected of her. Her music programs are exceptional and she has a great relationship with teachers, students, and parents,” she said. Pratt enjoys teaching both music and standard classes, however, music is a lot more fun.
“It’s a different kind of outlet for the kids and that’s very rewarding,” she said.
Pratt enjoys teaching music because she has more freedom in her curriculum.
“I help the teachers introduce math and reading through songs,” she said.
Pratt wasn’t always sure she wanted to be a teacher. In fact, she didn’t make a decision until she was in college.
“I was very undecided on a major. I had to choose one to graduate.” She liked the idea of helping children reach their goals.
“That was something I could do — I just didn’t put it all together until I was forced to, and I haven’t regretted a thing.”