Student teaching is no easy task—especially in the midst of a pandemic. However, college students have stepped up to the task, including new student teacher Ms. Katelen Shuler.

A graduate of Butler High School, Shuler is currently a senior at Westminster College pursuing a degree in Music Education.

“I’m working very closely with [Beaver Area strings teacher] Mrs. Graham for the first rotation of my student teaching experience at Beaver,” Shuler shared.

Shuler is teaching orchestra at the high school and middle school. Additionally, Shuler is teaching orchestra at an elementary level at Dutch Ridge Elementary.

Shuler’s primary instrument is the violin; however, all music educators must be proficient in all standard band and orchestra instruments.

Like many, Shuler wasn’t always certain of her post-high school decisions.

“Originally, music was just a hobby. I never really thought of it as a career because I always thought that I wasn’t good enough to make it a career. My senior year of high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was in Vo-Tech for Culinary Arts because I love to cook, and I was in orchestra because I loved music. I planned to attend BC3 [Butler County Community College] the following year for general studies,” Shuler recalled.

It wasn’t until Shuler’s high school orchestra director met Dr. Crawford-Perttu at a PMEA festival that things changed.

“My orchestra teacher . . . decided to give her my email. The next day I saw my teacher; she mentioned she gave my email to a college professor. That same day I got an email from Dr. Crawford-Perttu, discussing the strings program at Westminster,” Shuler explained.

“I scheduled an audition that day and took a tour of Westminster’s Campus. I got accepted the day of my audition into the school of music . . . All of a sudden I was making these big life changing decisions within a few weeks.”

“Flash forward to August: I was officially a music education major at Westminster College. I am so grateful to my high school orchestra teacher. She’s the main reason I am becoming a music educator,” explained Shuler.

In fact, it was that same orchestra teacher who is Shuler’s biggest inspiration.

“She was such an incredible educator, and I hope to someday be just as good of a teacher as she!”

One thing that Shuler wants students to know is that it wasn’t until junior year of high school that orchestra became a passion.

“I actually wanted to quit orchestra all throughout high school. It wasn’t until my junior year that I started to actually enjoy the class,” confessed Shuler. “Looking back now, I am so grateful that I didn’t quit.”

“As I got older and went to college for music, I realized how interesting music can be and how many people regret not continuing to play their instrument or sing,” shared Shuler.

Shuler finds a passion for music to be a strength that will help with teaching.

“If I want the students to learn anything from me it’s that music can be interesting and impactful. Music is one subject that utilizes all the common core subjects into one class, and when you realize that, I think you start to respect musicians and everything that they do.”

Additionally, a love for the art of teaching is another example of how Shuler impacts students.

“My favorite part about teaching is when a student understands a concept and you can see a bright look on their face! It's my passion to make people feel better about themselves and more confident! Every time students have a great time learning about music and I see those light bulbs illuminate because they played a note correctly or understand a rhythm I feel a sense of purpose; that this is what I was meant to do with my life!"

For some, their background influences their careers. However, for Shuler, that’s not the case.

“I grew up on a farm in rural Butler where I was involved in 4H for most of my childhood. I am the first in my family to attend college and go outside of the steel mill industry. My family had a respect for music, though, and were always supportive with all my music events. I think it wasn’t so much of where I grew up,” Shuler reflected, “but rather the support I got from my family that impacted my choice the most.”

Finally, Shuler offered some advice for students.

“It’s never too late to learn. If anyone has ever dreamed of playing an instrument or have stopped and feel like they cannot get back into it, just know that you can and you should! Music can change your life if you let it!”