Idaho Arts Charter School
Garret Vaughn - Band Director

My name is Garret Vaughn. I am very excited about the creative opportunities at Idaho Arts Charter School and teaching in an environment of art-focused curriculum. Being here has really challenged me as a teacher, and I love the family feeling and rapport we develop with our students and their families at IACS. I have a passion for the arts and a belief that students will benefit immeasurably from an education centered in creativity and artistic expression.

I previously taught in the Meridian School District for 23 years. My career began with 10 years at Lowell Scott, during which I was also assistant director of Bands at Centennial High School for 6 years. I was selected "Teacher of the Year" at Lowell School, which was a great honor. When Eagle Middle School opened up I joined the faculty and taught there for 5 years. Next, I helped open up Lewis & Clark, where I taught with my IACS colleague, Cynthia Sutton, for 8 years. During my career I have had the good fortune to have 7 student teachers and was department chair for 12 years at the 3 schools. I have also been a member of Music Educators National Committee for my entire career.

I moved to Idaho at age 10, and graduated from Caldwell High, where I was involved in band, jazz band, orchestra, and choir. I was selected to play in both All-State & All-Northwest bands.

I have 2 B.A. degrees, in Music and Music Education from NNC, where I met my wife, Carole, in bowling class (she always says she picked me up in an alley!). While at NNC, our brass group was the first music group from NNC to travel overseas when we toured the Caribbean islands for 2 weeks (St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, Barbados).

My beautiful wife and I have been married for almost 30 amazing years! We have two wonderful daughters of whom we're very proud. Amanda, our oldest, graduated from BSU in Dec. 08 with a degree in Archeology/Anthropology; our youngest, Kaylee, received her Vet Tech degree from CSI in 2010. Both girls attended Nampa Christian High School and now live in the valley.

My other artistic passion is photography. I specialize in traditional black & white, which I develop and print in my own darkroom. In 2003, I had the opportunity to spend 12 weeks attending the "Summer Intensive" program at Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana. It was truly a life changing experience. In addition, I wrote and taught the middle school photography class in the Meridian District for 8 years.

My other interests include our 2 dogs, Libby and Savannah. We also have 5 pygmy goats, which are just a hoot, and 2 pet rats. For the past 25 years, I have also worked for a local lock shop as a locksmith in summers.

I am looking forward to working with this wonderful faculty, the students and parents at IACS for many years to come!

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