Teacher Focus - Meet Mr. Stuart

Mr. Stuart is in his second year as Choir Director for Patriot High School. Besides teaching choir, he also teaches a Credit Recovery class that allows students to catch up in credits that are needed to graduate. Mr. Stuart’s love for music began when joined a music band at the age of 11 years old. He then fell in love with singing as a freshman in high school when he joined choir. He states, “I didn't fit into a lot of places as a kid, but I did when I was in choir.”  He decided that he wanted to provide that space for other students, and became a choir teacher in order to do that. 

“I didn't fit into a lot of places as a kid, but I did when I was in choir.”

The most challenging part of his day is when students aren't able to focus or are not ready to learn. Goofing off or not paying attention to instructions does not allow for learning in a timely manner. But the magic of teaching for him is when students come in and they sound a little or a lot better throughout the song and they realize that focusing and learning has made them sound “tangibly” better throughout the rehearsal.

Duet of Valeria Chaidez and Elmer Antonio. Elmer Antonis is also on piano.

The choir program at PHS is composed of several groups, including PHS Madrigals, who this week went caroling at Camino Elementary to spend time with the younger students in our community. Choir also celebrated the holidays by providing their annual Holiday Concert which took place at Rubidoux High School. The hard work of all participants and their many talents culminated in a mix of music that promised to be entertaining and heartwarming, as stated by Mr. Stewart.

Mr. Stuart’s teaching philosophy is: “Teaching students to be better people through choir or music.”