Faculty Spotlight: Dan Kaschub

College/ Degrees: B.A. in Music Education, USM

Years of service: Two years at Fryeburg Academy

Subject(s): Chorus, Piano Theory, Band, Instrumental Music, and Theater

Other roles at FA: Jazz Ensemble, fall musical, dorm parent in Frye Hall, and girls’ tennis coach

Fun fact: During college (which was also during Covid, so there was lots of free time), Mr. Kaschub played competitive e-sports.

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Background:

Mr. Kaschub is from Windham, Maine, but his heart lies downeast, where he spent many summers picking blueberries with his siblings and gaffing buoys from his grandfather's lobster boat. In college, he studied music education and worked closely on orchestral conducting with Dr. Robert Lehmann and the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra and the Portland Youth Symphony. He spent his summers teaching at The National Presbyterian School in Washington, D.C. During this time, he pursued his other interest in law and argument, often catching oral argument at the United States Supreme Court when he was able to get in line early enough! Mr. Kaschub completed his student teaching here at FA, taught at various elementary schools in the Bonny Eagle district, and then returned to FA as a full faculty member, where he joyfully resides today!

Why did you become a teacher?

My reasons for teaching are different now from those that motivated me to enter the profession. At this point, my motivation comes from my care for my students, my belief in all things community, and a sense of solidarity with today's students as the only Gen Z teacher at FA.  Whether I am encouraging a student to triumph over a fear, to be a small part of a wonderful big picture, or to reclaim focus under direct assault, this profession lets me do important work on behalf of amazing students who I believe benefit from it.

What is your favorite class to teach and why?

Chorus, as an ensemble class, offers a few unique benefits that make it my top choice. Firstly, this class can enroll a ton of students! I’d be overjoyed to have 50-60 students in one instance! Secondly, in chorus, we work together as a community of musicians to create something beautiful and share it. In the process, students work hard and focus on small details until they are happy with their creation. I think that this process is a very important meditation that helps counterbalance some of the negative pulls on our attention elsewhere in the world!

Memorable teaching moment?

I have two.  The first is the way that students - even very novice students - were able to learn and perform the music for the pit orchestra in the musical.  That pit music is hard - it is the hardest that students will see in their time at FA.  But they got there, and they did a good job.  I was so proud.  The other moment was at the Spring concert last year.  An FA teacher was sitting next to the parent of a student who had a solo.  When the solo was over, the parent turned to the teacher and said so proudly, “That’s my daughter!”  I loved hearing that that had happened.  

How would your students describe you as a teacher? 

I hope they say that I am empathetic, that I care about them, that they see that I seek fun and learning, that I am joyful, and that I am efficient.  I also hope they think I am young.  I try to use that to my advantage!

Is there anything from your experience as a student that has influenced you as a teacher?

Yes.  I was a bad student, not behaviorally, but I didn’t do much homework.  I was excited to learn and learned everything I could on my own, but I was frustrated with the school system.  There are many moments in my teaching now when I see students doing things I regret having done, making the same mistakes I made.  I try to point out those things and redirect students. I also try to help students find joy in their days at school. It really is an amazing thing to spend your days learning with friends, and it would be a mistake not appreciate that in the moment!

Advice for students?

Seek challenge.  Do things that make you uncomfortable.  When you see discomfort on the horizon, get ready for it, and try to find the good in it - because there is often good that comes from discomfort.  And then when things are comfortable, appreciate it.  Don’t let past discomfort overwhelm the present moment.