Working...
Hi, my name is Evan Neben and I am the new 5-12 instrumental band director and technology director for the school. I am excited to start this new chapter of my life and hopefully do my small part to improve the school and the lives of the students I will teach.
I have lived in Nebraska all my life, despite my family moving a great deal. When I reached third grade I became a student at Lexington Public Schools, and that is where I spent the rest of my educational career up until college. Living in such a diverse community gave me a unique outlook, and an appreciation for differences in culture, race, and economic background. It was during these years that I picked up a love for reading, history, long hikes, and video games. (You wouldn’t believe how that helps me relate to the students) Band was by far my favorite subject in school, as it seemed to be one of the few places where I enjoyed working with my peers, where we all worked to make great music. It was my band directors, Mr. Hansen and Mr. Scharff that inspired me to become a band director, a goal I have wanted to achieve since 6th grade.
I studied music at UNK, where my favorite subjects continued to be my ensembles, those being symphonic band and choraleers. Being surrounded by superior musicians was an amazing experience if a little intimidating at times. Ironically, my favorite part of college ended up having little to do with the institution itself, as my time student teaching in Amherst validated my career path in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It was there that I learned to work with smaller ensembles and all ages, though I must still admit that working with older students is much easier for me.
Now here I am, after a year of substitute teaching and a grueling job search. I hope I can fulfill my duties as well as my predecessor and keep the music program, as well as the technology of the school, in fine condition. I know I will make mistakes and do certain things wrong, but that is all part of the learning process is it not? And no matter how old or studied we get, there will always be more to learn. Of that, I am certain.