Posted by Communications staff on 9/14/2021
It’s been almost two weeks since the new Shaw Middle School opened its doors to eager students, teachers, and staff. Few are more excited about the new digs than music teachers Jim Heath and Austin Long.
“I really love this new building,” Austin said.
Jim, who is in his sixth year as Shaw’s instrumental music teacher, says the differences between his new classroom and his old one are like night and day.
“The [old] building was really nice for being built in the 1950s,” said Jim, “but there are so many fundamental differences.”
The most glaring difference might be the integration of technology in the two music classrooms.
“We have built-in recording equipment with microphones hanging from the ceiling,” Jim pointed out enthusiastically. “There’s Bluetooth speakers built into the wall as well. It all lets us do the things musicians need to do, but a whole lot easier than before.”
Even having a flat floor, rather than the terrace-like set up they had in the old Shaw, has been a real game changer for the classes and “allows for more flexibility in our rehearsal,” according to Jim.
Austin, on the other hand, is brand new to Shaw. This is his first year as the school’s new choir teacher, and the first choir teacher at Shaw in three years.
“We’re trying to get the choir program started back up again,” said Austin. “It’s going to be a slow process but I’m already trying to come up with ways to get kids interested and excited about it again."
One way he hopes to do that is by introducing more 21st Century music-making elements to the classroom.
“Basically, like a unit on creating your own digital music,” explained Austin. “All the students have laptops that can run a digital audio workstation through their browser…and they can record themselves with the built-in microphone. It’s a really easy way to ease into creating music.”
Unlike in old Shaw, the music rooms in new Shaw feature floor-to-ceiling sound-proof windows that look out onto a busy hallway and the outdoor play structure. The goal of the windows is for students passing by to stop and watch their classmates jam away.
Jim says the windows are a radical change from his old windowless band room that was tucked away in an oft-forgotten corner of the school.
“It is nice to be able to visually integrate with the school,” Jim said. “Having sight lines with the windows to the hallway and to the outside does a lot for student morale and happiness, which leads to more engagement.”
Both Jim and Austin are stoked about the direction Shaw’s music department is heading, and they can feel the students’ excitement as well.
“They seem to be really happy, really enjoying the new space,” said Austin.
“I definitely think the new building has invigorated a lot of students,” Jim added. “There was definitely a lot more hesitation and nervousness when we started back in the old building versus now. There is a noticeable excitement and positive energy that’s just far exceeding anything they were experiencing last year.”
The new Shaw Middle School was made possible by community support and the passage of the 2018 school bond. Learn more about the project at www.spokaneschools.org/construction.
