By Darlene Bowers
Welcome to the Ada Icon's "Ada Teacher Feature." Here we share thoughts and insights from local teachers who lift up and inspire our students. Let us lift up and inspire these educators as well.
In the words of Plato, "Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul."
Jonathan Lischak
What subjects and grades do you teach this school year?
Instrumental music, grades 6-12.
Extracurricular activities, groups, clubs, sports with which you are involved.
In addition to the performance courses (Marching Band and Concert Band), Pep Band, Winter Guard, Junior Class, Varsity Singers, and the golf team.
What are your degrees?
Master’s degree in Music Education with conducting emphasis from Boston University and Bachelor's degree in Music Education, Music Theory and Psychology from Youngstown State University.
How long in teaching profession?
Seven years.
Why did you become a teacher?
Band was the course in high school where achievement was not capped at a percentage. You can always get better, no matter how well you play. I enjoyed that challenge, and enjoy providing that environment to students. Kids can achieve at a multitude of levels while all still contributing to the ensemble.
Those who excel at high level aren't capped by the content of a "test," and those who may struggle can still make a meaningful contribution to the group without the label of a percentage on test. Being able to provide those opportunities is very rewarding.
What motivates you?
Excelling. Pushing to achieve new goals, and perform at higher levels.
What’s the best advice you give students?
Work hard at everything you do, even if you don't like it and even if you are already good at it. School is not exclusively about the specific tasks and content you are trying to learn and master, but about learning how to work hard and excel regardless of the task.
What’s the best advice you can give parents and caregivers?
Encourage your children to do the above, support them in their failures, and foster a motivation to take risks and excel at new things, so that they are willing to work hard.
There are a lot of other negative things pulling at kids’ attention these days. Support schools, programs, and other agencies that provide positive experiences for children. It’s easy to be critical, but doing so undermines kid's interest in school and programs, and drives them into other ventures.
What’s the best thing students can do for you?
Work hard and try their best. Not everyone is going to be the next Mozart, but everyone can work hard.
What’s the best thing parents and caregivers can do for you?
Support their kids in doing the above. Reward hard work at home. Support our kids by supporting our schools and programs.
If you weren’t a teacher or teaching what would you be doing?
I would likely be a physician. My plan all the way through 10th grade was medical school.
