Teacher shares the importance of arts in the classroom

There are so many things that go into arts that people don’t realize, band teacher Megan Brawley said.

Brawley has been teaching band for 26 years at Eastern Heights Middle School, 528 Garford Ave., in Elyria. She teaches grades six through eight how to use instruments such as a flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and trombone.

Band class at Eastern Heights is an elective, but Brawley said there is research to show the good effects of band and how helpful it can be.

“There is so much evidence on arts and brain research,” she said. “It’s different from your core classes, but you put so much into

it. Students are using their hands, learning to produce sounds and how to effectively work in groups.”

Brawley always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but her love for music began when she was in sixthgrade.

“I started band in sixthgrade. I grew up in Shelby, Ohio and they had an amazingly strong band program,” Brawley said. “Ever since then, I loved it and continued when I went to Bowling Green State University.”

Seeing her students grow and evolve is what makes Brawley so passionate about her career.

“It’s amazing to see how they have grown from starting an instrument to where they end up. It makes me really proud,” Brawley said.

Brawley prepares the students for high school band.

“Everything the students learn is to prepare them for the high school marching band,” Brawley said. “We have even played with the high school’s band team.”

Over the years, Brawley has seen a transition in her teaching and how she reaches students.

Students also have held concerts at the school and in public such as at Great Northern Mall in North Olmsted.

“In this day and age there is a lot of technology, and it has been integrated into classrooms,” Brawley said. “When I first started, if I wanted to let students hear how they sound I would have to set up a cassette player, now all I have to do is pull out my phone.”

“And we have Smart Boards we teach on when it used to be out of the book.”

Even though technology has had some positive effects, it takes away students creativity, Brawley said.

“There is so much technology, and because of it students are not crafting things the way they used to,” she said.

And that’s where band helps students, Brawley said.

“Music is a way for students to express themselves. They are the ones producing sounds,” she said.

Brawley has two keys to success: support and longevity.

“The administration is so supportive of what we do,” she said. “They are always behind us.”

“Another success is longevity. I taught some of my student’s parents, and I think it helps with the interaction I have with them.”

Brawley looks forward to the future to continue to do what she loves most, teach band.

“I take pride in watching my students grow,” she said.