Golden Apple nominee Jennifer Massey emphasizes band as community

ALGOMA – Among the dozens of Kewaunee County educators nominated for a Golden Apple award is Jennifer Massey, Algoma High School band director. Massey said the most important – and in her opinion, the best — part of her job is connecting with students as people. Some students stay in her band class from fifth grade through their senior year, meaning she works with many students through middle and high school.

“When you have kids for eight years straight, you do get to know them very well. Personally, I do my best in the classroom to get to know them, but I also offer many opportunities outside the classroom, one being the BAMA Honors Band for high achievers.”

The BAMA Honors Band offers a chance for dedicated music students to participate in an honors band, made up of other high-achieving students from other local districts, directed by a college band director. Massey said both the trip and the concert itself are an exciting reward for Algoma High School’s hard-working musicians.

Massey is pit orchestra for school musicals, and she said that provides another up-close opportunity to get to know her students.

“When I do the musicals, I get to be with the students very closely, because I direct the pit orchestra. And you get to be in close quarters with them, so you have no choice but to get to know each other,” she said. “Ultimately, my favorite thing to do with students is to travel. And I’ve traveled so often with my students. Just last year, we went to Nashville and New Orleans, and next year we’ll be going to New York City. We do perform when we’re on the trips, but there’s nothing better than sitting on a bus with these kids and just getting to know them.”

That passion for supporting and understanding her students is part of what makes Massey so beloved as a band teacher, and also what made her a Golden Apple nominee.

Massey said the experience of a music class varies greatly from a regular classroom that might teach science or English, and that can be a much-needed break for some students — particularly those who may feel isolated in traditional academia.

“When they come into the classroom, it’s a social experience. They don’t have to sit at a desk. They can get up, they can move around. They get to be with a different group of people. Because it’s not just the sophomore class, it’s not just the junior class. It’s this mixed ensemble of people,” she said. “A lot of times kids say when they come to class, they can get out of their head. They can just sit down and play their instrument — it’s their relaxation.”

Massey said while that time is important to many students, their main education remains a priority.

“If a student is failing math, well, everything is connected. So go fix your math, and then come back to me,” she said.

According to Massey, the band room can be a haven of sorts for students who feel they don’t fit in.

“I have had a couple students say that this is their safe place. When they walk into the band room, into my office, it’s their safe place, and they can be themselves and they can just relax,” Massey said.

To Massey, one of the most rewarding parts of her job as teacher is seeing students grow into their identity. One of her former band students, Avery Robinson, now works down the hall from the music room as the district social worker.

“He plays drums on the side with a band, and it’s just so cool because he’ll come in and he’ll help the kids out,” she said.

Golden Apple recipients will be recognized in a ceremony April 22.