When the Short and Sweet Concert kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria, there will be new face directing some of the choirs. Jackson Howard was hired as the new male choir director for the campus. Among the students, it felt like he had big shoes to fill in, but for Howard, it is instead his own beginning to his new journey.
So far Howard has been enjoying the company of the school’s students.
“I love it, it has been a fantastic environment,” choir director Jackson Howard said. “The kids are super engaged with what we’re doing and are excited about what’s going on. I’ve had a blast with all of my classes.”
With being the new director for a program, it could be difficult at first getting adjusted.
“Of course I understand that most people loved Mr. Ramos,” Howard said. “Although all I can really do in my situation is just come in, do my best, be kind, and build relationships with the students. I feel like for the most part I’ve been very successful in that and building relationships specifically with my men’s choir. I really have had no issues at all. Most of the kids have been very welcoming. With any time that they have had hesitation, I just try to build that relationship and maybe try to understand.”
Howard is someone who isn’t new to tight situations, as his previous background in teaching choir helps out with his journey now.
“My previous environment was a completely different world,” Howard said. “I was running both a high school and middle school choir program at the same time by myself, so I was doing both of those things. This program, even though it is a much larger program, there’s just more outside of school activities. It is just so much better because I have a teammate, and the kids are just overall excited to be here.”
Even when it’s only been a solid month and a half into the first semester, the new guy in town has lots of big plans for his students.
“I think one of our primary goals this year is to be successful at UIL,” Howard said. “Because of the beautiful performing arts facility we have here, we do host UIL here for both middle and high school for choir. During this time though Mrs. Jimenez will be out because she is excitedly expecting a baby around that time. It will most likely be me taking over for all choirs at UIL, which is both exciting and also like woah this is my first year here, and I’m already doing this. I just am really excited for our program and believe that it is growing.”
Even if it takes a second for some of the students to appreciate Howard, there are still some who give him the credit he deserves.
“He has brought a lot of new stuff to the program,” junior Virginia Dunlap said. “It’s been very helpful, but it can also be one of those things that make me not know him personally. He’s trying his best to figure out how things work and stuff like that. There’s been some ups and downs, but that’s pretty normal. Even though I feel like he’s been kinda put in the dark, he’s helping us learn a lot more.”
Howard is not an ordinary teacher on campus. He is one that promises to become one of if not the best at what he does.
“I am enjoying the vibes of this school,” Howard said. “I mean obviously no school is perfect, and there are things you would love to change about any school, but I love the growth I’m seeing, I love the culture that is being built at Willis High School. Even though we’re a brand new baby 6A high school, and we’re not as established as some of the other high schools in our area, I feel like when we compete with the schools we just pick up the pace and are really maturing while coming into their own. We’re very excited with how that’s happening.”
