Jim Bueter is named the 2024 Educator of the Year
By SYDNEY KENT
A puzzled look overcame Jim Bueter’s face as Brad Yates, superintendent of the Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District, walked through the band doors Thursday afternoon with balloons that spelled “Congrats!” Behind Yates followed Erin Prible and Hattie Wondercheck, both with the Wells County Chamber of Commerce, fellow staff members, and Assistant Superintendent Julie Meitlzer — with cookies in hand.
“I am here to announce that you have been selected as the 2024 Educator of the Year,” Prible exclaimed. “Congratulations!”
The room erupted with cheers and applause from Bueter’s students at the announcement of the well-deserved award. Prible went on to note the impressive achievements and characteristics that led to the honor.
“You’ve been teaching here for 26 years,” Prible quipped. “Did you start at age 12?”
“I wish,” Bueter laughed.
“You have inspired students through your love of music and the fine arts,” Prible continued. “You provide a space for students to gain confidence in themselves through self expression, and facilitate the acquisition of a sense of community and camaraderie that a band provides. This positively impacts every aspect of your students’ lives. Each day you step on your podium to conduct, you pour out an incredible amount of patience and model the pride and respect a band receives.”
“Congratulations, Mr. Bueter,” Yates added. “You are a great representative of the teachers here and of the Bluffton Harrison School district.”
Bueter accepted the honor with a humble smile and admiration for his fellow colleagues.
“I don’t do anything that any other teacher doesn’t do,” Bueter said. “I just come and do the best I can. It’s great that I can represent the other teachers, yet, I look up to everyone in this building everyday. It’s hard to be in the spotlight.”
A native of Fort Wayne and a 1984 graduate of Bishop Dwenger High School, Bueter went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music Education in 1992 from Indiana University at Fort Wayne. In 2004, Bueter earned a Master’s Degree in Music Technology from Indiana University in Indianapolis.
Beuter spent two years as the director of bands for the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation before he began his 26-year career inspiring students at BHMSD.
He is also preparing for a second European tour as a staff member for the Indiana Ambassadors of Music, and even has a part-time career as a charter bus driver. One of his most memorable moments from his career was in 2004 when the band won a competition at the state level after 18 years.
“It’s more than music,” Bueter explained. “Most of our time is spent in rehearsals. We do much more than teach music, and it’s this time spent working through situations, or trying to help, or just listening to them. We become a family here.”
Bueter is described as a teacher who has demonstrated a willingness to mentor and share his wisdom, which has impacted many teachers over this career. Some of his students have gone on to major in music and return to pursue the continuation of that very love for music and inspire young students.
Behind every modest high school band teacher is a row of roaring students ready with both a roast and heartfelt praise.
“He’s a pretty cool dude, I guess,” Kristopher Cortez, a student in Bueter’s band class, quipped. “He’s very good at what he does with teaching kids and everything, keeping everyone under control.”
This elicited a wave of giggles from the group.
“He has to deal with some rough kids,” one student interjected, jokingly pointing at Cortez, who nodded his head with a mischievous grin.
“Really, he’s a good mentor,” Cortez added. “He shows that when work needs done, you get the job done.”
“I think he has been a great influence on me,” Cruz Rinkenberger, a senior in the class, added. “He does such a great job with his job and you can tell he enjoys it, even when he doesn’t enjoy it, if that makes sense. We all look up to him.”
“He’s a natural leader,” Elijah Spencer said. “Definitely a lot of people’s favorite teacher.”
Perhaps the most touching tribute came from a teary-eyed young woman whose jaw dropped in shock as she learned the news. Sarah, Bueter’s daughter and a beloved substitute teacher for the class, took a moment to collect her thoughts.
“He does not understand,” Sarah paused. “He doesn’t understand how much of an impact he makes on so many kids. The band, as a whole program, goes unnoticed compared to a slew of other sports and athletics. The work he puts in truly makes an impact. He really underestimates himself.”
Students who stood around Sarah collectively nodded their heads.
“He has no idea,” another student said softly. “I’m going to tear up right with you.”
A conductor of music and the light in his daughter’s eyes, it is clear Bueter has a deep love for his work.
“My mom was a teacher,” Bueter finished. “She would love to say you learn as much from your students as they learn from you, and – you really do.”
sydney@news-banner.com
