Orchestra Director Mrs. Anne Tschetter Named P-H-M Teacher of the Year

Mrs. Anne Tschetter didn’t think anything of it when Principal Steve Hope and Fine Arts Academy Leader Glenn Northern asked to meet with her about the recent ISSMA competitions, especially since the Orchestra just won a Gold Rating with Distinction at this past weekend’s competitions. But she got the surprise of her life when Principal Hope and Mr. Northern walked her back to her classroom …

Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, Mrs. Tschetter’s husband, Lyndon, several members of P-H-M Administration and her students were waiting to surprise her that she had been named 2017 P-H-M Teacher of the Year!

Mrs. Tschetter is in her 21st year with P-H-M, spending her first 20 years at Discovery Middle School as Orchestra Director there as well. For six of those years, she also taught music at Penn High School, switching to the high school exclusively this school year.

Mr. Northern, who nominated Mrs. Tschetter for the Teacher of the Year award, describes her as a passionate, kind and inclusive teacher who “believes that music needs to be both challenging and fun … to touch learners in personal and exciting ways.” She believes in being firm, fair and be fun!

As a practicing violinist and violist herself, who performs regularly with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and other local string quartets, Mrs. Tschetter models the techniques she seeks in her students, playing alongside them as she’s teaching. She has taught and trained some of the finest student orchestras in the region and country. 

Since 1998, her ensembles have been recognized consistently for their high level of performance at the local, regional, state and national levels winning Gold Ratings at Indiana State School Music Association (​ISSMA) and multiple “With Distinction” awards, including this year’s competition (April 28 & 29, 2017).

Among her other accomplishments, Mrs. Tschetter was a conductor with the Cincinnati Orchestra, working with the Symphonic Orchestra. In January 2016, she received the Indiana American String Teacher's Association "Middle School Teacher of the Year" Award; and in 2015, received the "Michiana Outstanding Music Educator Award" sponsored by Quinlan & Fabish Music Company.

Mrs. Tschetter will be officially recognized and receive her plaque and a grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition Dinner on May 17th. Also being recognized at that dinner are P-H-M service award employees, retirees and Meadow’s Edge Teacher’s Aide Shari Cerney who was named the Employee of the Year on Thursday, April 27.