This year, Nazareth Academy welcomed Ms. Loughery, a Nazareth alumna, back into the hallways as a music teacher! After attending Nazareth, she decided to become a teacher at NAZ after graduating from college. Ms. Loughery teaches music theory and theater arts and gives voice and piano lessons.
I asked Ms. Loughery what inspired her to pursue a career in teaching, she replied, “I graduated from Nazareth Academy myself, and I loved the music department here at Nazareth. I was inspired by the other teachers to come back and teach music here!” Ms. Loughery says that the hardest part about teaching music is that “Some people might not be as adept in their musical abilities as others. You have to find a good balance between helping those who may be struggling with their instruments and those who may not find it as difficult.”
Although teaching music can be challenging, there are many things Ms. Loughery loves about it! “Putting a smile on someone’s face and knowing that they have grown and that you have impacted someone through music is my favorite part. Music is a very vast subject. There are also little ways that you can impact someone through it, and that’s what makes me happy.”
After graduating in 2020, she specifically chose to become a teacher at Nazareth because she wants to inspire students the way Ms. Chmelko and Mr. Zagorski have inspired her. When asked who has motivated her to become a teacher, she responded, “My sister has motivated me the most. She has also been an advocate for me to pursue whatever makes me happy. She pushed me to follow music education because she knew how much I loved to sing.”
Ms. Loughery’s favorite part about teaching at Nazareth is that “Nazareth has always been a home away from. It’s really nice after four years of being away at college to come back here and feel the same connection to teachers and students,” she added, “It’s a warm, inviting, and loving place. I’m glad to have this opportunity to teach here.”
As for future events at Nazareth, Ms. Loughery looks forward to Naz-a-thon and is excited to see her students perform their pieces at the spring concert. “During my free time, I sing in the alumnae choir here at Nazareth. I love to read books and spend time with family and friends.” She added, “I’m also picking up hobbies like crochet!”
On behalf of the Nazareth Academy community, I’d like to wish Ms. Loughery good luck in her teaching career and future endeavors here at Nazareth!
