Henderson returns to teach in Sisters

Jodi Henderson is coming back to Sisters schools next year to teach instrumental music. Henderson left Sisters last year to teach at Mountain View High School in Bend.

Henderson was extremely popular in Sisters. His return is being greeted with joy.

"I am thrilled. Jodi breathes such life into our music program. He gets the ultimate out of the kids. They admire him, and he encourages them to do the best they can," said Patty Little, who has children ages 17, 15, and 8 years old in the Sisters schools.

Henderson is returning to Sisters for "because it's where I want to work. It is where my kids are going to schoolit's important to have my kids in the school district where I am teaching."

Henderson said he left Sisters because he was given the opportunity to just teach band at Mountain View. "I had no idea that it would be possible for me to just teach band in Sisters," Henderson said.

According to Swisher, Henderson will teach band at both the middle and high schools, including pep band, jazz band and concert band. Choir will be taught by another instructor next year.

Henderson said he will miss the kids at Mountain View. "You get close to the kids right away teaching music," he said.

After Henderson left Sisters, the school district hired Steve Scott to teach music. Scott resigned in December for health and personal reasons, according to Swisher. Math teacher Jim Harrison stepped in after Scott's resignation to carry the program through the year.

"Jodi has an excellent command of musical instruments. He is a good musician and teacher. Most importantly, he really commands the respect of his students. He has an excellent rapport with them," Swisher said.

Henderson also provided excellent community and parental support for the music program, according to Swisher.