With an infectious smile and a heart for music, Mary Buckalew’s passion for her job simply radiates.
Buckalew, the music teacher at Harris Elementary School in Greenfield, earned the 2025 Elementary Music Educator of Excellence award. The statewide honor is bestowed on one teacher annually by the Indiana Music Education Association.
It’s a well-deserved honor, Greenfield-Central administrators say, because Buckalew is a gem in the community fueled by a passion to bring joy to students through song and instruments.
“I was so surprised, so surprised,” Buckalew said of the award, adding that simply being selected as a finalist was a high honor in itself.
Buckalew incorporates games and play with her curriculum, making music class an experience to behold.
Earlier this month, for example, first graders played a game of hiding a key for one of their classmates. As they sang, “I lost my closet key in my lady’s garden,” their volume grew louder as their friend walked toward the key, giving him a clue to find it.
“It’s a safe space, where no one’s going to laugh at you if you make a mistake. We’re here to learn and grow and get better,” she said.
Buckalew grew up in Kokomo and attended Ball State University. She is in her 20th year of teaching, having taught in Lawrence Township for 16 years before accepting a job at GC’s Harris four years ago.
She already loved the district: her husband, Dan Buckalew, had taught at Harris and now teaches music at GC’s Maxwell Intermediate School. The family has lived in Greenfield since 2010, and their children attend GC schools. Mary Buckalew even went to college with Greenfield-Central High School’s band director Chris Wing.
Teaching volume, rhythm, instruments and more through song and play is important in opening the door to a lifelong love of music, Buckalew said.
“GC schools are very supportive of the performing arts,” she said. “It is a great feeling knowing that I am preparing my students to one day be a part of our GCHS choirs, orchestras and bands.”
She has also come to value the Greenfield Central School Foundation, having received seven grants in less than four years. Many resources and instruments for her classroom have come from those community donations.
Buckalew’s love for music education developed years ago, when she was in marching band in high school. She appreciated all of the leadership opportunities it provided, and enjoyed playing the french horn and trumpet in concert and jazz bands.
Now that she teaches kindergarten through third-grade students, she enjoys seeing the look of accomplishment students get after working on a song.
“When something is difficult at first, then they work on it and it starts to click and sound good,” she said. “I also enjoy hosting and mentoring collegiate student teachers, to help prepare a new generation of music teachers.”
Buckalew has mentored 10 student teachers in her career.
Harris Principal Sarah Greulich said Buckalew’s ability to mentor young teachers, be a friend to experienced staff, and be an inspiration to students were just a few of the reasons she nominated her for the award.
Buckalew was notified in November that she earned the honor, and accepted the award at a January convocation.
“I love her passion for music and learning and the joy she brings to Harris each day,” Greulich said. “Mary is just one of those people with an infectious smile and a big heart. She has high expectations balanced with compassion and empathy. We are so fortunate to have her talents and heart at Harris.”
Greulich went on to describe Buckalew’s classroom as a captivating experience.
“The learning in her room is so engaging that students don’t realize that they are learning,” she said. “Some days, you walk in and students are playing a game that feels like duck-duck-goose, yet they are really showing that they understand rhythm and steady beat all while showing great life skills such as self control, teamwork and following instructions. Other days, students may be exploring imaginary instruments while listening to a read-aloud or demonstrating the skills they are acquiring with a glockenspiel.”
Buckalew also connects with parents, hosting kindergarten “informances” to introduce them to music education, as well as performances through third grade choir and even a folk dance club.
Skills learned in music class are transferable to all areas of learning at Harris. Through music and arts, Gruelich said, students can gain confidence, grow self esteem and improve gross and fine motor skills. Music education is beneficial to social emotional learning and healthy brain development, Gruelich said.
Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin said Buckalew’s dedication and creativity earned her the prestigious award.
“Mrs. Buckalew has transformed music education at Harris Elementary School, inspiring young students to find their voices through innovative lessons and heartfelt performances,” he said. “Parents, students, colleagues and administrators all praise Mary for fostering a love of music that resonates far beyond the classroom.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
Mrs. Greulich said, “Mary is just one of those people with an infectious smile and a big heart. She has high expectations balanced with compassion and empathy. We are so fortunate to have her talents and heart at Harris.”
