From L to R, Walter Rich, Music Education Teacher Education Program Coordinator for the School of Music; Ben Jaeger; Kaitlin Lepak, Outreach Program Manager for the Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center; and Tom Owenby, Associate Dean for Teacher Education and Director of the Teacher Education Center, met on October 14 to congratulate Jaeger on his Rockwell Award.
Ben Jaeger (Music Education 2000) has been named a recipient of a 2024 Rockwell Award. Awarded by the School of Education, these honors recognize exemplary teachers and other school professionals who mentor and provide high-quality field experiences to UW–Madison students who are preparing to work in schools. Recipients of these awards receive $1,000 each for their significant contribution to UW–Madison’s vital field experience program.
Jaeger, who is currently a band teacher at Vel Phillips Memorial High School in Madison, says winning the award is a “meaningful catalyst to reflect on how many future students of our student teacher will benefit from the community we create in the music programs of the Madison Metropolitan School District.”
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the process so far for Jaeger has been the student teacher quotes presented by Tom Owen, Associate Dean for Teacher Education and Director of the Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center.
Jaeger takes a “hands-on with scaffolding” approach to mentorship when working with UW students. This strategy, he says, establishes a safety net that allows students to take chances, and work towards building rapport and great art.
“A high quality field experience provides space for the student teacher to feel autonomy while feeling supported,” Jaeger says. “Resources are provided, guidance is given, and opportunity to become a stakeholder in the creation of art and the forming of community is available.”
Jaeger started teaching tuba and euphonium lessons, as well as recording concerts, at Memorial in the late 1990s. He directed the pep band from 1999 to 2005, continued tuba and euphonium lessons, and then started teaching full time band in 2011. He was amazed by what the students were able to accomplish musically with the right support and guidance.
“I knew I wanted to student teach here,” Jaeger says. “There was always something electric about Madison when I was a kid visiting and there has always been something special about Memorial.”
Jaeger’s advice for future music educators?
“Don’t give up. Some of the hardest days are some of the best learning. Relationships are everything. And great music is not made without great trust. Everyone in that room has my back and I have theirs and together we are invincible.”
The School of Education is honoring recipients of its 2024 Rockwell Awards during a November 9 celebration on campus.
