New high school instrumental music teacher Emery Palmer connects with their students through video games and pop culture.

“I can often connect with my students through my interest in video games, especially Animal Crossing, because when I am not teaching, I play the background music,” Palmer said. 

“I also like to read and binge watch different TV shows. I am currently on season four of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I enjoy (it) because there’s no smartphones or social media playing a big role in the show,” they said. 

Palmer went to college at Seton Hill in Greensburg, and they taught at Harrison Middle School, where they were band director, before they moved up to the high school this year.

Palmer enjoys their classroom at the high school more than the one they had at Harrison.

“In Harrison, I had a tiny concrete classroom, and now I have a very big classroom,” Palmer said. “I am really enjoying the new space.”

Palmer did enjoy their time at Harrison, though.

“At Harrison I had a little ‘lunch club’ of sorts, and a group of students would come visit me during my lunch,” they said.

Palmer teaches grades 9-12 stage band, symphonic orchestra, honors wind ensemble, and orchestra. 

“I’ve enjoyed the moments when students play through a difficult passage without even realizing how difficult it was,” Palmer said. 

They also enjoy assisting the marching band.

“We have a lot of fun and I’m really excited about the show this season,” Palmer said. “It was a lot of fun being able to hear them play through the show for the first time.”

Palmer also attends the football games.

“There is an energy and excitement that I have only ever experienced as a member of a marching band in high school,” they said.