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KAHOKA, MO. -- The TV series, Glee, has renewed an interest in music education in high schools across the country.

But long before Glee, a local educator was doing that from scratch in an area that didn't have private music instruction.

Some of you probably have heard about Mr. Robert Dooley.

He's director of music at Clark County High School, where he's worked for 29 years.

And as KHQA's Rajah Maples shows you, he's built quite a music program in the process.

Mr. Dooley said, "Growing up, our whole family had a love of music. I've had many family members go on and be involved in music. It was something I wanted to do and felt I had a passion for."

And these students at Clark County R-1 are thankful for that passion.

Darren Lillard said, "He's one of those teachers who's here early every morning and sticks around late at night just to make sure he does the best thing for his students."

Joshua Baumgartner said, "When I moved to Clark County, I wasn't big into music but after talking to Mr. Dooley, and I started playing the sax, I really got connected to it."

Lillard said, "Band teaches discipline, so it teaches you to be on time, and be organized because we're always taking trips. If you're not on time, you're not going. Being on time is a good thing in life."

Dooley said, "Our belief was that music was an important part of a kid's education. A math teacher teaches every kid math. A science teacher teaches every kid science, because it's important. I believe that music is that important. It's my job to teach every kid who walks in the door. Not just the super talented, but every student, and that has always been our goal--to give every kid an experience in music, and hopefully a successful one."

Baumgartner said, "There's the Dooley way. It's not like you're not good enough. It's, you're going to get better no matter how bad you are, you're always going to get better."