Jamie Rogers has been hired as 5-12th grade Band/Choir teacher, starting in the fall of 2019.
Rogers grew up near Eskridge, where he attended school through junior high, and graduated from Mission Valley High School in 1995. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degree at Kansas State University. While attending K-State, he participated in the marching band, as well as vocal and instrumental ensembles. He has been a teacher at Mission Valley since 2006.
Rogers is passionate about music and has known from a young age that he wanted to teach music.
“I have known since seventh grade that I wanted to be a music teacher. Music is something that I have always enjoyed and felt I excelled at. One of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching music is the relationships and bonds formed with the students,” Rogers said.
Outside of education, Rogers still conveys his love for music, as he performs in a bluegrass band called Rickety Downspout.
“We enjoy playing rock, country and originally-written music in a bluegrass style. I also enjoy gravel road bicycling. If you see someone riding a bicycle out in the Flint Hills, it just might be me,” Rogers said.
Rogers does not foresee any major challenges transferring from Mission Valley to Wabaunsee, as he has co-directed a shared concert with the two schools for the past five years.
“I have already enjoyed getting to make music with many of you. I have always been impressed with Wabaunsee student musicians and I’m excited work more closely with you,” he said.
According to Rogers, any changes from previous years will be minor.
“I hope to stay at Wabaunsee for a long time and use my teaching experiences to gradually make the program my own over future years. We will not march a halftime show this coming football season but I would like to prepare some sort of halftime show with the high school band.”
“If there is no established drumline, I hope to get one started — people love drum lines. With the choir, I hope to get them singing in the community and sharing performance experiences with vocal groups from other schools soon.”
Current director Richard Philbrook is excited to hand the reins over to Rogers at the end of the year. “I have a lot of respect for Mr. Rogers, and have known him for a number of years. He really knows his stuff, and has the respect of other professionals in the area, so I think it will be very positive.”
Rogers hopes to adapt quickly to the culture at WHS. “I like the history-rich Wabaunsee community and look forward to learning the traditions. I look forward to becoming part of and contributing to the community in every way that I can.”
— Kendyl Bolinder, @Bolinderkendyl
The Charger 
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