Dr. Julia Battle "floated in" from Katrina to teach at Hartman Elementary in Judson ISD

Dr. Julia Battle inspires a love of music where ever she goes. An accomplished opera singer and musician, she became a teacher to share her passion for music and performance. A teacher for 26 years, she began teaching at Judson ISD three years ago, and says, "We fell in LOVE with San Antonio!"

As a classroom music specialist at Hartman Elementary School, she touches the lives of approximately 800 students. Her classes bring more than music, and often magic, into their lives. When she began a choral program as an extracurricular activity, the Hartman Singing Knights (Los Caballeros Cantantes) were born. Three years ago, she had 35 students. This year more than 175 applied for the 125-member choir. Classroom work must be satisfactory and efforts toward outstanding behavior are a must in order to participate. The group frequently performs in the community, awakening new talents and empowering students to become informed consumers of music.

Nationally recognized as a music educator, Dr. Battle brings skills to encourage her students to step out into the performance field at an early age. She believes that every teacher is first a student and then spends a lifetime sharing knowledge with others. She believes that every child should have the opportunity to self-actualize through the arts. Her performance in the classroom attests to her success.