BASH has welcomed one if its own back to teach in the music department.

Mr. Jeffrey Brunner – a BASH 2001 alumnus — began teaching this fall, replacing Mr. Dan Kershetsky, who retired at the end of last year. Before coming to BASH, Mr. Brunner taught music at Earl and Pine Forge elementary schools for six years, and Junior High West for three years. 

“BASH is going to be exciting,” Mr. Brunner said. “I get to teach very talented students on a higher level than before.

“I’ve always wanted to teach at a high school with a top notch music department.” 

Mr. Brunner is a graduate of Mansfield University, where he received his bachelors in music education. He has his masters degree in music education from the Teaching College of Columbia University.

At BASH, he now teaches piano classes, AP Music Theory, and Musical Theater, and directs Show Choir and Concert Choir. He is also involved with the field trips to Carnegie Hall and Europe. 

Students say Mr. Brunner has been a positive addition to the music department.

“Mr. Brunner has brought new music, new techniques, and new smiles to our choir. His enthusiasm is contagious!” says Senior Courtney Gehret. 

Senior Aaron Weingard, who is in Show Choir, says, “I had him at both Earl Elementary and Junior High West. He is a really cool teacher to have again.” 

As a student at BASH, Mr. Brunner said some of his favorite teachers were Mrs. Moder and Mrs. Musko for English, and Mr. Kershetsky, all of whom have retired.

Replacing Mr. Kershetsky, who taught at Boyertown for 26 years and was named the Boyertown area’s Educator of the Year for 2013-14, will be tough, Mr. Brunner says, but he feels privileged to be teaching in his position.

“He was really great at what he did, it’s an honor to teach the same classes he taught.”