A song can do something a worksheet cannot. It can help a child participate, communicate, regulate, remember and feel connected to the people around them. That is the kind of impact Bethany Bassler sees every day. This month, AQS Asset Management is proud to recognize Bethany Bassler, a K–5 music teacher at Bluemont Elementary, as our May 2026 Teacher of the Month.
Bethany Bassler is the AQS Teacher of the Month
Bethany’s path into education began with two things she already loved: music and working with children. For Bethany, music is not simply an enrichment activity or a break in the school day. It is a way for students to express themselves, build confidence and connect with others in ways that may not happen anywhere else in the classroom.
“I always loved working with kids and decided to combine my love of music with teaching,” Bethany said. “I worked under several amazing professors and mentors that grew my love of education and how music can transform students’ lives.”
Most adults can still remember songs they learned as children long after they have forgotten the worksheets, spelling lists and multiplication drills. Music has a way of staying with us. Teachers like Bethany understand that it can also reach students in moments when traditional instruction may not.
Bethany Bassler Recalls Her Finest Teaching Moments
Bethany works with students across kindergarten through fifth grade, including children with a wide range of abilities and needs. Her most meaningful moments are not necessarily the loudest performances or the most polished concerts. They are the moments when a student connects. “When I’m able to reach my students who are non-verbal and they are able to connect with a musical moment, there’s nothing better,” Bethany said.
That kind of moment is easy to underestimate from the outside. But for a student, a family and a teacher, it can mean everything. A rhythm, a melody or a shared classroom experience can create a point of connection that words alone may not be able to provide. Bethany’s work is also about far more than teaching notes, songs and instruments. Like many great educators, she is helping students develop skills they will carry far beyond music class.
Her greatest challenge, she said, is “teaching my content, while also teaching students life-long lessons about emotional regulation and respect and responsibility.” That is the reality of teaching: the lesson plan may say music, reading, math or history, but the job is also about helping children learn how to manage emotions, treat others well, take responsibility and become capable human beings.
At AQS, we believe teachers are some of the most committed people in our communities. They bring patience, creativity, and heart into their classrooms. They give up evenings and weekends. They spend their own money. They keep showing up, even when the job asks too much and thanks them too little. Their reward is often simply knowing they helped a child understand something, believe in themselves, or discover a little more of what they are capable of.
Submit an Educator for AQS Teacher of the Month
Our Teacher of the Month series is one small way we recognize outstanding educators and help support the work they do in their classrooms. Congratulations, Bethany Bassler! Thank you for using music to create connection, encourage expression and help students find meaningful moments of success. Know a teacher who deserves support for their classroom? Complete a submission for the AQS Teacher of the Month here with their name, school and a short note about why they should be recognized.