Medlin teacher gives away guitars with Santa's help

Photo Album

Brandy Russell has two major passions in life – teaching and guitars. In fact, the Medlin Middle School math teacher almost always has at least one guitar in his classroom, and he regularly plays it during planning periods or even during class on a student's birthday.

Not only has Mr. Russell been playing guitar since he was 12 years old, he is also an avid collector, especially of electric guitars and has about 20 of them in his home. Now, he annually melds his passions by giving guitars away to students.

The tradition began in 2005 when Mr. Russell was a special education teacher at Northwest High School. 

“I would have a guitar in the classroom and I would see who gravitated towards it,” Mr. Russell said. “I’d see what kids would come in and ask questions or show interest, and I’d primarily give it away to a student in my class who I knew would really use it.”

For 20 years, Mr. Russell has given away at least one guitar a year. In 2018 he had an idea — why not open up the opportunity to the whole school? To do that, he was going to need help, and no one is better to help with the giving spirit than Santa Claus. 

Now, each December, all students at Medlin are able to write a letter to Santa with a chance to take home a guitar from Mr. Russell’s personal collection. The instructions for the contest are purposefully simple, with Santa looking for just two things.

“All I ask is that the letters are heartfelt and handwritten,” Mr. Russell said.

With the freedom to let their creativity shine, students certainly do. Some letters are accompanied by incredible drawings. Some come with jokes written at the end. Some are deeply personal and explain hardships that students are experiencing. 

Once all of the letters are received, Mr. Russell enlists the help of Shannon Nobles, Medlin’s eighth-grade counselor, to read them all and choose winners. The decision gets tougher each year, especially when nearly 50 letters come in, like this year.

The letters are certainly heartfelt, and Mr. Russell’s generosity seems to grow every year. From the first guitar in 2005 to this year when he gave away an astounding seven guitars, the reason is always the same.

“I don’t want any credit. The main reason I do it is for that moment when the kids realize they are getting one of the guitars,” Mr. Russell explained.

This year’s seven recipients were asked to come to an assistant principal’s office where they  were unknowingly surprised with the guitars. With his Santa cap on, Mr. Russell greeted each student as they walked through the door. When the fear of a trip to the assistant principal’s office gave way to the joy and shock of knowing Santa loved their letter, the smiles were a mile wide for the students and Mr. Russell.

One by one, students chose the guitar they wanted from the line up of seven. With each guitar, Mr. Russell also provided an amplifier, cables and a guitar pick; everything students would need to start playing as soon as they got home from school that day.

“It is more than just a guitar/instrument; it’s an opportunity to pursue my dreams.” 

That’s a line from one of this year’s chosen letters, and it’s exactly the sentiment that makes Mr. Russell want to continue this annual tradition.

With winter break now here, seven Medlin students will certainly spend their time away from campus exploring their new guitars. Meanwhile, one teacher with a huge heart and generous soul will enjoy the holiday season knowing his passion for music has forever changed seven lives.