From Philadelpia, PA. John R. Straehle is a graduate of Mead High School in Spokane, WA. He received his Bachelor of Music from Washington State University in Pullman, WA. and his Masters in Computer Instruction from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA.

Mr. Straehle is currently in his 8th year as the music director for the Highland School District. He has been an active member in MENC since being student chapter president at Washington State University. His 16 years in education include teaching music for 7 years with the Washtucna School District, LaCrosse School District and the Kahlotus School Districts grades K-12. Each of these districts have under 150 students K-12.

While at Washtucna and Kahlotus, Mr. Straehle ’s Washtucna/Kahlotus Wind Ensemble performed at the State Conference in Tacoma in 1996. It was the 1st small school group to perform at a WMEA state conference. In 2006, the Highland High School WInd Ensemble performed at the State Conference in Yakima. Mr. Straehle has hosted many festivals and events at the schools he has taught at.

Presently Mr. Straehle has spent the past 8 years teaching music, grades 5-12, for the Highland School District where he has taught concert band, marching band, jazz band and choir. This year he will be teaching 4th grade general music instead of high school choir. He has been the WMEA representative for Small Schools since 1996. Since that time he has helped to add state recognition to small schools and given them a voice. This will be the 1 st time there is an elected position on the WMEA Board for Small Schools. This was a goal of his back in 1996. He finished a 10 year term as Small School Chair for WMEA this past Februrary. Mr. Straehle is also on the Arts Assessment Leadership Team helping to design the Arts WASL (CBPA’s) for OSPI and the state of Washington.

Our Music Director - Mr. Straehle