When Mr.  Bouslog (pronounced “bouse-log”), the new band director in the Palestine School district, graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1976, he didn’t think that he was going to teach in so many places.  Mr. Bouslog was the Principal at Palestine High School from 1994-1995 and then after a five year sabbatical-of-sorts from education, he returned to teaching in 2000 and taught at Prairie View; Cissna Park; Addic, Indiana; and Martinsville, finally retiring in 2013.  But his teaching career didn’t end there. After he retired, his wife applied for an opening in the towns of Newcomb and Naschitti, New Mexico, and he taught two more years there .

Growing up in the small town of Kansas, Illinois, Mr. Bouslog is familiar with the small town feel.  His father had 300 acres of land near Grandview, where they also raised cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens.

In high school Mr. Bouslog loved business classes, but he wished that he would have been able to take more Agriculture classes because he was most interested in that.  He wasn’t able to because his grades were just average. Mr. Bouslog’s brother majored in Horticulture and that steered Mr. Bouslog away from going into the Horticulture field.  

During his first year of teaching Mr. Bouslog forgot to get permission from a parent before authorizing a students clarinet repair.  He thinks that this is his most painful memory from his first year teaching. The student’s parent showed up at his house, asking why he had not asked before saying that they could fix the student’s clarinet.   

When asked about what opportunities a college graduate should explore he says that even just getting a college degree is monumental and when one has reached this point in their lives, they are free to pursue any interests that they want. He encourages everyone to grow and explore anything they are interested in starting in about fifth grade.  

When he looks on the horizon  for his line of work he says that Mr. Downes made it easy for him because of all the time and commitment that has been put into the band program before he got here.  But he says we should get back to him after he adjusts from moving!

As everyone knows we are all growing and learning. One thing Mr. Bouslog  wishes he had more time for was art. He wishes that he could have some time just to paint or draw.  In history he looks up to Abraham Lincoln and Beethoven, each for different reasons. He looks up to Lincoln because of everything that he has read about him and Beethoven because he feels that if someone can go through all he did then we can all get through anything.  

He is proud of everything that he and his wife have gone through in the past two years.  They taught Navajo students music and for the first time ever, he was in the minority and found he was able to survive.

Coming to Palestine is like coming home for the Bouslogs.  “My wife and I have bragged about how polite our mild-mannered Navajo students near Shiprock, New Mexico were for the past two years.  But at the end of his first week here, I found myself boasting to his friends about how considerate and good natured the music students are in Palestine!”

One important difference  between students in Palestine and in New Mexico is that many Navajo students are too shy. “I especially noticed that the Palestine Grade Students confidently want to share everything.”  This is very different from his experience with Navajo students.

Mr. Bouslog is also enjoying his close proximity to Robinson.  He says being eight miles from Robinson is like heaven because when they lived in New Mexico they had to travel for an hour to get to the closest town.    

When asked what is one quality about himself that he hopes everyone notices he said that his wife would probably say being a stick in the mud, his sons would say unpredictable and he can’t wait for what his granddaughter will say.  

When asked how he felt about the budget cuts that have affected the band programs in some schools he said, “It is unfortunate that the State of Illinois does not recognize that the students that excel in the Fine Arts achieve their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities because they discovered the importances of developing the right side of their brains.”  

Finally, he added that  if anyone wants to get into music then they need to find a good teacher that will help push them and keep them motivated.