NATCHEZ — The formula for success is as clear as sheet music for area musician Darlene McCune — passion, determination and hard work.

McCune, a teacher at Robert Lewis Middle School, has known her heart was in the classroom since her own school days.

The decision to pursue teaching was inspired by one of her former teachers, Dale Owens.

“He was a perfectionist.” McCune said.

“He never accepted mediocrity. He pushed you to do better.”

McCune made the decision to follow in his footsteps.

“I wanted to be able to inspire kids the same way he inspired me,” she said.

After graduating with a bachelor’s of music education from Delta State University, McCune returned home to Natchez to teach. First hired on at Morgantown Elementary, McCune worked hard to become a role model. Not only did she direct the school plays, but she also founded the Morgantown Maestros, the school choir.

Her favorite experience of being a teacher has been watching her students grow up.

“Most of my students, I have taught since second grade,” she said. “I enjoy seeing them grow as people and as musicians and performers.”

McCune’s love of teaching shines through every aspect of her life. In addition to teaching in the school system, McCune also teaches at the Natchez Little Theatre. That is, of course, when she is not on stage. All in all, McCune has been involved with 11 Natchez Little Theatre productions. Most recently, she directed two children’s productions. “Into the Woods” cast children as young as 8 years old. “Grease” cast kids as old as 18.

McCune has followed her dreams of becoming a teacher. She is now in her ninth year in the Natchez-Adams School District. And she hopes her passion for teaching will encourage her own students to accomplish their goals through the same kind of hard work and determination.