What do you teach here at Tosa East?
I teach fifth hour band, so that involves marching band and concert band. I’m also in charge of jazz two, and I teach eighth grade band at Longfellow.
How long have you been teaching? And why did you decide to become a teacher?
This is my fourth year total. I was in Minnesota for three years. I decided to get into teaching because I liked teaching in high school. I was a drum major and leading others was something I was really passionate about, and that turned into a career for me.
Where in Minnesota did you teach?
Hinkley, Minnesota, it is an hour north of Minneapolis.
How is that different or similar to teaching here?
It’s very, very different. Hinkley was a town of 1800 people total, and Tosa East serves around 1000 to 1200 every school year. So I was teaching in a town about the size of Tosa east. The high school itself had around 300 kids, and it was six through 12. They were even paired with a town called Finlayson. And Finlayson was 257 people total in the city, not the school. So it was very, very small. I had around 20 kids in my largest band. And then you come here and you look at the trumpet section, and they’re 26 total. So just sheer numbers wise, it’s way bigger. The opportunities are also more abundant here.
Wow. Okay. Where did you go to high school and college?
I went to Wauwatosa East High School. I Graduated in 2017 and then I attended the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for undergrad.
Were you a part of any interesting clubs when you were in college?
In college, I marched with the pride of Minnesota. We did seven home games a year, and then extra travel opportunities came from the pep band and the marching band itself. When the football team was good and we traveled to bowl games with them. We also had the opportunity to perform the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2018. I played in the Jazz bands, Symphonic bands, and wind ensemble. I got involved as much as I could there.
What do you think Tosa East is missing from when you went here?
For one, I think we’re missing a little bit of academic peer pressure. There seems to be some kids who are not striving to succeed without the help of someone else. And while teachers are a great resource, I think high school is a great place to learn that intrinsic motivation and how to do things on your own.
What’s your favorite song that you have played and why?
Well, one of the most memorable ones was Godzilla eats Las Vegas. We did it my senior year, and one of the trumpets made a video that goes along with it, and it was just a really fun piece to do, very glitz and glam. Mrs. Lato [The Band Director] rented a dress, and we made it a whole production.
Have you ever met any famous people?
Yes, I have met Justin Timberlake, and I’ve met the Jonas Brothers.
Who’s your favorite Jonas Brother?
Kevin Jonas
What’s your favorite thing about teaching at East?
I really like working with the staff members here. I think a lot of staff members here have student interest in mind and will work hard for that. The teachers here treat it as more than just a job, which is better than many other schools. I’ve also worked at the marching band camp here for the past three years, so I knew a lot of you coming in. You guys were just great to work with. You listen, you play well, and I know I will find success here.
That’s wonderful. Okay, I have two more questions for you. What advice would you give to a high schooler?
Listen to directions, do your work and have fun.
And then, if you were musically inclined, what instrument would you play?
Goran, what is that supposed to mean? If I was musically inclined, that’s like, are you athletic? If I could pick any instrument other than the ones I play, I’d want to learn to harp.
Interesting, very cool. Thank you.
