Stoulil, an advocate for music, retires after 37 years

Music was always Deb Stoulil’s outlet.

From the first years of playing instruments in her high school band, Stoulil found a way to be involved in a team process that didn’t involve the glare of solo performances.

“I never wanted to be a public speaker,” she said. “I didn’t want to be the center of attention and playing in a band was a way to play music and not be the sole focus.”

Growing up in rural Massena, Iowa, near Atlantic, Stoulil knew what it was like for schools to have limited resources for music programs, which prepared her well for what turned out to be a 37-year Jasper County career as a public school music teacher. She’s retiring this month.

“It was a really hard decision to retire,” Stoulil said. “And there are still some days when I wonder, but I think I made the right choice. God is saying it’s time to move into a new chapter, although I’ll still put my name on the substitute list and maybe get a part-time job.”

Stoulil and some of her high school classmates were able to travel to Washington, D.C., New York City, Europe and even the former U.S.S.R. in the 1970s as part of the People to People and America’s Youth in Concert programs. After college, Stoulil was hired in 1979 in Newton, starting half-time at Newton High School and half-time at two of the seven elementary schools in the district at the time.

After her position was eliminated due to 1981 budget cuts, Stoulil taught in Monroe for two years, returning to Newton in 1983 for what would end up being her last 33 years of teaching.

Since the Newton Community School District reconfigured in 2010, Stoulil has been the music teacher for about 165 fifth- and sixth-graders at both Woodrow Wilson and Aurora Heights elementary schools. Between regular classes, special performances and all-star concerts, it takes an enormous amount of energy, organization and patience.

“Deb is one of the hardest workers I know,” said Woodrow Wilson Principal Todd Schuster. “Hearing the beginning notes of a clarinet is not easy, but she knows the beautiful outcome in a short few weeks is worth the noise.”

Stoulil’s position will change, as all of the district’s fifth and sixth grades will be in the west half of Berg Middle School — the part now used as an elementary school. Michelle Banwell and her husband, Seth, will handle the band teaching duties, while Will Edgar will instruct vocal music.

Fifth grade is when Newton and many other school districts begin instrumental music, so while reconfiguration will be a challenge on many levels, the transition to K-4 and 5-8 campuses benefits the music department, as all of the district’s music teachers will be at either the middle school or the high school.

“That’s going to be good for music,” Stoulil said. “The elementary and middle school kids at Berg will be able to feed off each other.”

The decision to retire comes in the same year Stoulil and her husband, Larry, prepare to be empty-nesters. Their only child, Austin, is graduating from Newton High School and heading to DMACC on a one-year music scholarship.

“There is great support for music in this community,” Stoulil said. “There aren’t the financial resources that used to be here, and some families are really struggling. But the idea that music and the arts are important has stayed in the conversation, and despite a decline in enrollment, our music numbers have remained about the same.”

Doug Smith, a Woodrow Wilson teacher, said there are no limits to what Stoulil will do to help students learn music.

“Deb is one of the most patient and supportive teachers I have ever known,” Smith said. “When a child begins the process of learning to play an instrument, the music they produce can be pretty harsh at times. Deb is supportive of a child’s effort, gives positive feedback and is always encouraging to the student. We have an amazing music program in the district, and Deb has been building the foundation to this program for many years as she encourages and guides our young musicians.”

Like many American fine arts teachers, Stoulil helps wage the endless battle to keep music classes on the schedule each year, along with, classroom space and instruments. She’s a member of the Iowa Bandmasters Association.

“Iowa is blessed with some fantastic people who know the value of music in society,” Stoulil. “There are many around the state who have made huge sacrifices for the kids.”

Schuster said Stoulil’s efforts in going between Aurora Heights and Woodrow Wilson, as well as on draining road trips, are just a few of the ways she has helped the district.

“Managing that many students at once is a chore in itself,” Schuster said. “Doing it with integrity and getting the students to the level that makes them perform as well as they do is priceless.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com