Aaron Theall, Director of Bands at DeRidder High School, has been named a 2024-2025 Beauregard Parish High School Teacher of the Year.
The Louisiana Department of Education sponsors the Excellent Educators Award Program annually to recognize the state’s most exceptional teachers. Those teachers who demonstrate expertise in their field, who are innovative in creating pathways for student success, who build collaborative relationships with students, parents, and colleagues, who deliberately connect the classroom to the community, and who are inspiring and engaging are considered for the program beginning at the school level.
Theall has been a music educator in Beauregard Parish for the past twelve years, teaching 6th through 12th grade students at DeRidder Junior High and DeRidder High School. He directs the concert, symphonic, jazz, and marching bands as well as oversees the danceline and color guard. He earned his Bachelor in Music Education from Louisiana State University and his Mentor Teacher Certification from McNeese State University.
He is currently the District V Director of the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA) Board of Directors where he represents six parishes on the state board. He is also the Jazz Coordinator for the Louisiana Bandmasters Association (LBA) Board of Directors. He is a Mentor Teacher at DHS where he has guided new teachers through the alternate certification process and has facilitated teaching experiences for student teachers from McNeese and Northwestern.
He served as First Vice President of the District V Band and Orchestra Directors Organization from 2013-2018, and as staff (2013-2021) and then Executive Director (2021-2022) of the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.
He has been named the District V Band and Orchestra Directors 2022 Band Director of the Year and the Marquis Who’s Who 2022 Top Professional as well as receiving the LMEA 2013 Young Music Educator’s Award. He has also been a 2014 and 2022 LMEA conference presenter.
He has served as an honor band clinician and concert and marching band judge. He marched with Saluting America’s Band Directors in the 2022 Rose Parade and the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. He also plays French horn and handbells for the FBC orchestra, baritone saxophone with Southwest Jazz, tenor horn with the Louisiana British Brass Band and the Calcasieu British Brass Band, and French horn for the Lake Charles Community Band and Southeast Texas Winds and Percussion.
“I do not just teach music,” Theall explained, “I teach through music.”
He wants to empower his students to embrace valuable life lessons hidden within the melodies that are created when they play music together. Discipline, teamwork, being a part of something bigger than yourself, work ethic, and cooperation are just a few life lessons that are taught through music education.
“In a world where instant gratification has become normalized, learning to play an instrument helps students set and achieve long-term goals,” he explained.
Developing the skills to play an instrument takes years of practice and diligence and brings with it a satisfaction that cannot be found through short-term measures. Theall believes helping students develop a long-term view, set goals, and achieve them over their years in band sets them up for success in their future.
Another positive aspect of music education is involvement in school and community activities. The marching band is a vital piece of the school’s sporting events and community parades. The concert and jazz bands provide an important role in graduation and other school events like the JROTC Ball and the Faculty Gala. Students also learn collaboration across communities through district and state ensembles where they perform with other students in district and state events.
“I believe that by bridging the gap between music and life, I live my philosophy that I teach through music and help my students develop skills which will last them a lifetime,” he concluded.
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