Ali Moon
PE, Music, and Art
My name is Alicia “Ali” Moon, and I have been fortunate enough to take on a majority of the “specials” programs here at CLS. This will be my third year teaching physical education, second year teaching music, and first year taking on multiple grades for art (23-24 school year I taught 4K art, this year will be 4K-3rd). I also have been a tutor for the past two summers and during the 23-24 school year. My son, Michael (2nd grade), and I attend Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Greenville and have been at CLS since 2021. I am engaged to a wonderful man named Kevin, and he has a 13-year-old daughter, Emma, who will be attending Xavier Middle School for her 8th grade year. Kevin and Emma are members of The Mission Church in downtown Appleton where Michael and I sometimes attend.
My teaching story is a bit of a roller coaster. I started my undergraduate degree at UW Oshkosh but decided at the time due to issues with the public school system that I did not want to become a teacher. Instead, I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. I spent a few years bouncing between many sales and other jobs before and after COVID and was very unhappy with my career. After a loving push from my friends and family, I decided to get my substitute teaching license so I could begin a new path and return to school to get my full teaching license. I have not regretted this decision and will never look back!
I know English Literature does not sound like it coincides with my position at CLS, but that is why I love it so much! I have always been interested in a multitude of subjects and have been very blessed to find a school that needed someone to fill such a unique role. No need to worry-I do have experience in these fields!
Physical Education:
While I was taking my undergraduate classes, I toyed with the idea of becoming either a personal trainer or physical therapist. Because of this, I took classes that dive into the health and physical development of children, best sports practices, how to be a coach, and so on. I also received my certificate in outdoor survival and adventure education-meaning I can show you how to climb cliffs, tie ropes, pitch a tent, downhill ski, and swim very well!
Formal education aside, I have played most team sports at some point in my life. I am most knowledgeable in track and field, basketball, volleyball, football, baseball/softball, and gymnastics as those were the sports I continued to do throughout high school. I was also a collegiate track athlete in pole vault for both UW-Stevens Point and UW Oshkosh. Recently, I decided to take on the venture of learning martial arts at The Academy with some of our other staff members and my son.
I take physical education and health very seriously, while striving to maintain the joy of athletics. My goal every year is to make PE fun for each student. I understand not everyone likes every sport or activity, but I aim to find a way to let them shine!
Music
Growing up, my parents were a part of a quartet that would travel to different churches every summer to sing in unique, 4-part harmonies. I always loved listening to them and wanted to be as good as them some day! I started playing piano at the age of five, and I couldn’t tell you when I started singing. Being in a musical family, I was surrounded by instruments and melodies all day every day. My father taught me a little on the guitar while growing up as well. I joined the public school’s concert band in 6th grade where I played percussion/drums and eventually learned the French horn. I started playing trumpet for a few years in high school and joined choir and show choir. I was also part of many play/musical productions over the years. I took a few years off from playing instruments while I was in college, but I continued to sing for the university choir and for the worship team at church.
The real fun started for me when my amazing fiancé bought me a beautiful Yamaha upright piano during the “stay at home” Covid era. I had become angry with my piano playing because I didn’t think I was very good. I am not great at reading music, so new songs do not come easily for me. He encouraged me to try learning songs in a different way, and a lightbulb clicked on in my brain. I have spent the last four years making leaps and bounds in my playing ability by using a different strategy, and it helped me teach myself how to play guitar and ukelele. I never thought I would be brave enough to play and sing at the same time in front of a church, and now I am doing it on a regular basis!
I am by no means an expert in music, but I love it and am so thankful that I am able to use my abilities to praise God myself, with my congregation, and with my students.
Art
I have always had a love for art and creativity. I spent a lot of time sketching and painting as a child and took many summer classes in 2-dimentional art. I focused on mediums of charcoal, oil pastels, watercolor, and acrylics. My favorite medium to use is acrylic paint! I also spent a lot of time perfecting calligraphy (unfortunately I have since forgotten how to do most of it but still try sometimes!).
While I have never taken any formal art classes outside of high school, I have continued to enjoy painting and being creative throughout my adult life.