Though his name may be the one on the award, Josh Doe recognizes the work of his students as the reason for his Catalyst Education Award.
“I am just very grateful to the administrators who put it together, and the kids,” Doe said.
The Niles band director was notified by email he was being recognized in the teacher category for the award in November. Thinking it was spam, he paid it no notice.
Then, the media started calling.
This is the first award that Doe has received. The inaugural award is sponsored by Kalamazoo-based Southwest Michigan First. It recognizes leaders in southwest Michigan, and will be presented to Doe in a ceremony Thursday at Kalamazoo’s Catalyst University.
In addition to being recognized, Doe will receive a $2,500 check for the music program.
Doe became the Niles band director four years ago, teaching students at Oak Manor, Ring Lardner and Niles High School. Since becoming director, Doe said his students have accomplished a great deal.
In 2016, for the first time in the history of the Niles district, the Niles High School concert band earned a division two ranking in the state concert festival in Paw Paw. This year, Doe said they hope to return and bring home the division one title.
It is likely this type of perseverance that has helped Doe influence the students in the class. Since becoming band director, Doe’s reputation as a laid-back teacher with a passion for music has helped to inspire students to take an interest in the subject.
Angie Marciniak, the parent of Niles High School student Jarod Anderson, witnessed this inspiration first hand.
Before Doe was the band director, Anderson wanted to quit band, Marciniak. She convinced her son to stick it out and give the new director a try.
“Not only did Jarod continue on because of Mr. Doe’s style of teaching, but with the director’s passion for his art, and his genuine ability to celebrate the ‘wins’ with his students, Jarod flourished,” she said, in a letter that nominated Doe for the award.
Since becoming director, the size of the band has doubled, with 365 students now enrolled in a variety of band programs including marching, jazz, percussion, pit orchestra and pet bands.
While these mementos serve as testament to Doe’s ability to teach, students, staff and administration said that Doe’s clear passion for teaching made him a winning candidate.
Niles High School senior Alena Flegel has been a flute player in Doe’s band class for the past four years.
Flegel said what she most enjoys about Doe’s teaching style is his ability to keep classes fresh, choosing a variety of music for students to learn and always tackling it with a laid-back approach. One example of this approach is the band’s Christmas performance, which included a lighthearted piece about Krampus the Christmas elf.
“We have balance,” Doe said. “We have fun and we do serious music. You have got to eat your vegetables, but you have got to have some dessert, too.”
While Doe will agree that his approach is laid back, he also said that band is an opportunity to show students how hard work and perseverance pay off.
“The stuff we teach in this class about practicing and working hard. The lessons they learn in this class will hopefully translate to other aspects of their education and life,” Doe said. “They will understand that to accomplish something, you have to do your job.”
Hard work is a core part of his curriculum, but Doe also connects with the students through humor and getting to know who they are as individuals.
“Teaching kids there is never a dull moment,” Doe said. “You have a lot of fun and there is a great sense of humor that is part of my big relationship with them. We use humor and we have fun with each other.”
Through this investment, Doe makes the learning experience fun and interesting and students in his class have the sense of being part of a family.
“He always manages to make things innovative and exciting,” said Blayne LeClaire, a junior trumpet player enrolled in Doe’s concert band class.
LeClaire said that coming to class, Doe does not just drill them on scales or go from lesson to lesson, he talks to the students and listens to them, too.
“It is the same thing as an employee on the job,” Doe said. “When you know you have a boss that cares about you, you are going to work harder. It is the same thing with the kids in a class. They are not just a saxophone or flute player.”
Doe credits his style of teaching to his college music education professor Kevin Tutt, who taught at Grand Valley State University.
When Doe met Tutt he was working on becoming a professional saxophone player. It was not until Tutt’s class that he saw how his love of music could merge with another profession.
“He helped give me direction,” Doe said. “It is why I respect him so much and it is why I respect teaching so much. I saw what Dr. Tutt could do for somebody.”
In the classroom, Doe said he mirrors the professors teaching tactics, which helped him to become passionate about education.
Today, Doe and Tutt still keep in touch. In fact, Tutt even served as the officiate in Doe’s wedding.
Recently, Doe got to tell him that he had been nominated for an award recognizing him as a leader in education.
He said Tutt enjoyed teasing him about the media attention.
The $2,500 from the award will go toward instrument repairs, purchasing more music and applying to programs where needed.
As the number of students joining the band continues to grow, Doe said he is glad to see more children taking an interest in music.
“All kids need a way to express themselves,” Doe said. “This is one avenue for them to do that.”