Emerson has a saying that fits both Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Band Director, Roosevelt Griffin (winner of the 2014 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching) and his students: “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” Words can’t express the impact Roosevelt has had on his students. Parents marvel over the transformation their children have made while participating in his band program. His teaching care is transformative in nature and results in an outstanding student product that is reflected in the elevated performance of an outstanding middle school jazz band that has taken the stage of the Chicago Jazz Festival and received high acclaim.