As teachers at E. C. Drury High School, it usually comes in between rehearsals and preparations for the yearly musical.

They’re fully aware they bring some of that stress upon themselves. After all, not many high school arts teachers insist on creating an original musical each year; it’s much easier to choose a pre-written one.

But that just wouldn’t be their style. And in the end, they know all the hard work is worth it and wouldn’t have it any other way.

It’s this dedication to their jobs and their students that spurred more than 30 teens — students in the teachers’ band and drama classes as well as the cast of this year’s musical — to nominate the pair for November’s Teacher of the Month. It’s an honour the Champion easily selected them for.

As Valerie Graham, who spearheaded the nominations, said: “In this case you really just can’t have one without the other, which is why we chose to nominate them together as the dynamic duo that they are.”

Cates and Di Giorgio both started at E. C. Drury three years ago and immediately set to work reviving the musical program.

Student Stephanie Takeuchi has high praise for both teachers, writing that Di Giorgio “is a calm-natured man with the patience of a 150-year-old sensei.” Cates, she said, “is like E. C. Drury’s own energizer bunny; she just keeps going and going.”

Student Kyliegh Castrnaro said Cates and Di Giorgio opened up what was previously a very exclusive drama program. She was given the lead role in the first musical put on by the team, and said the experience caused her confidence to soar.

“Even when my confidence wavered they were ready and willing to help,” she wrote.

It’s this sense of inclusion that has driven Cates and Di Giorgio.

They both explained they want as many students as possible to be part of the musical program. And that means not turning students down. Sure, not everyone will get the lead, but these teachers ensure there’s a place for everyone.

“No one is turned away,” Cates said. “The kids who come out get so much confidence from what they do on stage — it would be terrible to turn them away.”

Both teachers spoke of the many life skills students learn from high school arts programs — including leadership, commitment and self-discipline. Even if they don’t go on to work in the arts, these skills can be applied to any career of their choosing, they said. This year’s musical is entitled ‘You’re Still the One,’ and it’s certainly a labour of love for everyone involved.

Di Giorgio explained it consists of songs from the past 50 years. He’s arranged the music for the band, while Cates has written the storyline.

“I want the kids to be involved in something completely original,” Di Giorgio said.

Writing their own musicals brings the added benefit of being able to write parts with specific students in mind, Cates said.

The best part of the entire process is seeing students’ progress, Di Giorgio said.

“My energy comes from the kids. That’s the only reason I do it. I’m so inspired by their potential.”

As much as the students speak highly of Cates and Di Giorgio, the teachers are equally appreciative of their young charges.

“They’re a really supportive group of students,” Cates said.

She was a student at E. C. Drury herself, and said she knows how lucky she was to get a job right out of teachers college at her former high school.

Both Di Giorgio and Cates were involved with musicals at their high schools — Di Giorgio even wrote the score for one of them — and said they hope their students will get as much out of the experience as they did.

At the end of the day, there’s just one explanation for why the pair does what they do every year: “We’re crazy!” Di Giorgio said, laughing.

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com .