'Lucky To Have Him': Park Slopers Rally To Save Music Teacher's Job

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — Park Slope students often come home singing a tune that goes a bit like this: Mr. Laster is the best.

"Mr. Laster" is the schoolroom sobriquet of Andy Laster, a music teacher at PS 295 who inspires enthusiasm from students and parents alike — and now a fundraiser.

Laster has built his own instruments, organized spring concerts, imparted his encyclopedic knowledge of history and dazzled with his skills as a jazz musician.

"They're all lucky to have him,” said Elton Dodson, incoming president of the South Slope school's PTA.

"I’m not in the classroom, but I know how... my daughter reacts to him."

But Laster's tune could soon end, along with all music at PS 295.

Budget cuts in New York City's public education system filtered down to the 18th Street school, forcing officials to slash the music program and Laster's job with it.

Now, parents hope a fundraiser — PS 295 Save Our Music Program! — will keep the music going.

They organized a GoFundMe that aims to raise $70,000 to help keep Laster as a music teacher at PS 295.

The fundraiser raised roughly $20,000 as of Tuesday, but Dodson warned the clock is ticking.

Laster needs certainty about his future, for his and his family's sake, Dodson said. After three weeks, it'd be "unfair" to ask him to wait longer, Dodson said.

"The longer he waits the more at risk he is," he said. "It needs to be wrapped up in the next three weeks."

The fundraiser's goal will come to roughly $300 per student, organizers said.

Money raised in the fundraiser will help cover other school expenses that'll free up enough cash for Laster's job, Dodson said.

PS 295 parent Clayton Patrie said Mayor Eric Adams frequently uses enrollment as an "excuse" for budget cuts, but it shouldn't lead to losing an entire music department.

"Whether a school has 300 students or 600 students, music should be guaranteed in the budget!" Patrie said in a statement to Patch.

Other parents stressed to Patch that their children's love of music, and learning in general, has been inspired by Laster's teaching.

"Mr. Laster has really worked with my son, helping him grow as a person and a music-maker," said Molly McIntyre in a statement to Patch.

"He has that special teacher superpower of encouraging creativity while also having clear boundaries with the kids. He’s an exceptional music teacher and is part of what makes our school live up to its name as 'the school of arts and culture.'"

"We would be devastated to lose Mr Laster- his impact has been so great and our kids adore him," said another parent, Allyssa Lamb.

"Because of Mr Laster, my son fell in love with the saxophone. He knows how to teach to each child’s strengths, even in a large group."

Find out more about the fundraiser here.