Joel Pohland--Healy High Band Director, Passion Igniter
Hi! I’m Joel Pohland, Band Director at Healy High School. I grew up in Glencoe, MN and attended Glencoe-Silver Lake High School before moving to Iowa my senior year and graduating from Western Dubuque High School. During my years in high school, I was a member of NHS, Student Council, Tri-M Music Society, Marching Band, Show Choir, Jazz Band, Musical Theatre, Golf, and Drumline. My wife and I have been married for almost a year and a half and we have two huskies, Zelda and Brutus!
After high school, I attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA and after graduation took my first Band Director job at Marshall County Central in Newfolden, MN.
I spent a year at the (quiet, cold:) Canadian border town before interviewing and committing to the vision of Pierz Schools. I fell in love with vision of this district and what they wanted in the music department. Diane Hauan sold me on the students’ willingness to learn and wanting to be the best, and I knew I wanted to be a part of a program like that. So, when I was offered the job, it was a no brainer! It also helped that it moved me much closer to my family, as Newfolden is practically Canada! I love the fact that every day is different. You never really know what to expect and students surprise you in so many ways. It's so rewarding. The best part of teaching in Pierz is the support I receive from the staff and the community. It is incredible how much everyone gets behind what you are doing.
It’s interesting to see the improvements in schools from when I attended, namely the access our students have to technology and the amount of classes. Students can get such a headstart on college and they can use the technology to help them study and advance their skills so much faster. We as teachers can send everything electronically and allow students so much more access to materials.
I think the thing I'm most proud of is how excited students have become about the music in Pierz. We are finding so much passion and talent for music and more students each and every day want to be involved. It is amazing to hear these ensembles grow in sound and skill level each year. When I started here, there were around 160 students in the 5-12 band program and we had one high school Jazz Band that wasn't full. Now, we have over 280 students in the 5-12 band program, an auditioned Jazz Ensemble, a second full Jazz Band, a Jazz Combo and a 6th grade Jazz Band that keeps growing. And, drumroll please...over eighty 5th graders started in band this year! It's just such a blessing to see so many students want to be involved in the program.
When I’m not giving band lessons or directing the various bands, I love to golf, run, kayak, watch movies and The Office. I play in community bands, theater productions and other musical opportunities. My wife and I love to travel, and we try to go somewhere new and exciting every year.
As I tell my students, it’s important to set goals--BIG GOALS! Mine? I want to go to New Zealand/Australia. I want to be in the Pit Orchestra for a Broadway show. I would love to be a musician on a major tour. Play in a professional jazz band. Go to the Masters at Augusta National. I could go on and on... :)
Being part of this community is such a privilege--keeping it local and community involvement are important to keep this town thriving. Keeping it local helps everything stay strong. I love the band card fundraiser that we do because it helps support so many businesses in town, thereby helps the businesses give to the school. We started our District Night of Jazz and that was a huge way to get the community involved in the music department. It is so awesome to see families and businesses and the community be a part of the Band and Music program at Pierz.
"Joel Pohland, Pierz Band Director, has created a fire within the students at Pierz--a passion for learning, for music, and for a strong sense of community. His leadership and love for music has led to amazing growth in the program. We are so fortunate to have his vision and passion at Pierz Schools. "--Karrie Boser, Healy Principal
After high school, I attended Loras College in Dubuque, IA and after graduation took my first Band Director job at Marshall County Central in Newfolden, MN.
I spent a year at the (quiet, cold:) Canadian border town before interviewing and committing to the vision of Pierz Schools. I fell in love with vision of this district and what they wanted in the music department. Diane Hauan sold me on the students’ willingness to learn and wanting to be the best, and I knew I wanted to be a part of a program like that. So, when I was offered the job, it was a no brainer! It also helped that it moved me much closer to my family, as Newfolden is practically Canada! I love the fact that every day is different. You never really know what to expect and students surprise you in so many ways. It's so rewarding. The best part of teaching in Pierz is the support I receive from the staff and the community. It is incredible how much everyone gets behind what you are doing.
It’s interesting to see the improvements in schools from when I attended, namely the access our students have to technology and the amount of classes. Students can get such a headstart on college and they can use the technology to help them study and advance their skills so much faster. We as teachers can send everything electronically and allow students so much more access to materials.
I think the thing I'm most proud of is how excited students have become about the music in Pierz. We are finding so much passion and talent for music and more students each and every day want to be involved. It is amazing to hear these ensembles grow in sound and skill level each year. When I started here, there were around 160 students in the 5-12 band program and we had one high school Jazz Band that wasn't full. Now, we have over 280 students in the 5-12 band program, an auditioned Jazz Ensemble, a second full Jazz Band, a Jazz Combo and a 6th grade Jazz Band that keeps growing. And, drumroll please...over eighty 5th graders started in band this year! It's just such a blessing to see so many students want to be involved in the program.
When I’m not giving band lessons or directing the various bands, I love to golf, run, kayak, watch movies and The Office. I play in community bands, theater productions and other musical opportunities. My wife and I love to travel, and we try to go somewhere new and exciting every year.
As I tell my students, it’s important to set goals--BIG GOALS! Mine? I want to go to New Zealand/Australia. I want to be in the Pit Orchestra for a Broadway show. I would love to be a musician on a major tour. Play in a professional jazz band. Go to the Masters at Augusta National. I could go on and on... :)
Being part of this community is such a privilege--keeping it local and community involvement are important to keep this town thriving. Keeping it local helps everything stay strong. I love the band card fundraiser that we do because it helps support so many businesses in town, thereby helps the businesses give to the school. We started our District Night of Jazz and that was a huge way to get the community involved in the music department. It is so awesome to see families and businesses and the community be a part of the Band and Music program at Pierz.
"Joel Pohland, Pierz Band Director, has created a fire within the students at Pierz--a passion for learning, for music, and for a strong sense of community. His leadership and love for music has led to amazing growth in the program. We are so fortunate to have his vision and passion at Pierz Schools. "--Karrie Boser, Healy Principal
