By Jessica Foy For The OklahomanPublic school educators often are overworked, underpaid and underappreciated. Reginald Irons, however, has spent his teaching career focusing on two things that push the negatives aside: his love for music and his students. For 40 years, Irons has taught music in Oklahoma City Public Schools, ranging from middle school band and orchestra to high school concert and jazz band. That love, Irons said, is what motivates him to teach and has given him such longevity. “I never thought when I started back in 1976 that I would still be doing this,” Irons said. “Knowledge made him an efficient instructor, but his love, willingness to be personable and passion made him a great teacher,” said LaDonna Howard, a former student. Howard said when she started music in sixth grade, she did not know the difference between a staff and a note.Read more on NewsOK.com