Student teacher Ms. Samatha MacFarlane left Haven in late February, completing her required student teaching placement with music teacher Mr. Nicholas Pignataro.
At the epilogue of her time here, students and teachers alike reminisce on her role in Haven’s story.
“I was really grateful that the students were open to my ideas and what I brought to the table,” MacFarlane said.
Sophomore Juliette Loyd bonded with MacFarlane over their shared passion for music education.
“Ms. MacFarlane was probably the best student teacher that I’ve had so far. I mean, she was a really great conductor, and she was a really nice person,” Loyd said.
From the students who spent time with her almost every day, MacFarlane’s impact also reached those who interacted with her far less.
“I thought it was really cool watching her, especially during the concert, conduct the other ensembles. And I thought it was cool to see how music teachers learn. I could tell she was really skilled at having really precise rhythms,” sophomore Lucy Newton said.
MacFarlane, a Music Education major at Temple University, served as drum major in college and credits leadership in high school and college marching band as experiences that led her to teaching.
“I don’t think I would have felt that way if I didn’t have those student leadership experiences, getting hands-on, just, ‘Go help someone, go do it. You’re ‘in charge.’ You have to make decisions. So in that aspect, teaching is very much the same,” MacFarlane said.
Loyd and Newton observed MacFarlane’s strong conducting skills and control of the ensembles, which Loyd attributed to her experience as a drum major.
“Your connections with students is a big aspect of teaching in general. And so I tried to kind of put myself out there, even though I was pretty nervous, just as far as jumping right in, even if it’s as simple as, ‘Hey, how are you? What’s your name? I’m here to help you if you need it,’” MacFarlane said, describing the nerves of her first week at Haven.
Pignataro highlights a shift in perspective that these relationships create.
“My teachers, when I was a kid, seemed like gods to me, or some sort of strange mythical creature that I didn’t understand. But it turns out that teachers are human beings, just regular humans, just like the students are,” Pignataro said.
MacFarlane’s experience at Haven weaved together many favorite memories. She spotlights watching fellow teachers dance at the Black History Month assembly and the jazz band performances she was a part of.
“I really liked hanging out with her at the Penncrest Jazz Festival. It was really fun because we sat together during some of the performances and got to talk,” Loyd said.
Pignataro believes her interactions with students at these memorable events revealed her selfless character. Although she left Haven on Friday, February 28, MacFarlane returned to conduct two songs during the band and orchestra concert on Wednesday, March 19.
“That was a bigger test for her, and I think she did well,” Newton said.
Pignataro compared the concert to a graduation ceremony, providing closure for all involved.
“It was kind of like the end of the chapter, the very last sentence in that aspect…Me showing up was me showing the students that I appreciate them at the end of the day,” MacFarlane said.
MacFarlane is now undertaking her final student teaching placement at Rydal Elementary in the Abington School District, the last step towards her degree.
“Ms. MacFarlane has a knack for teaching that is hard to teach, and I think it will have her go down in history as maybe one of the finest student teachers we’ve ever had in Strath Haven,” Pignataro said.
