Howard Pitler

I graduated from Indiana State in 1974 in music education and immediately got my Masters in Performance from Wichita State in 1976. Taught band, orchestra, and jazz band until 1987 when I became an administrator. I was a percussionist with the Wichita Symphony for 29 years and worked with some of the best musicians in the world including Yo Yo Ma, Sarah Chang, and Itzhak Perlman. I was the National Distinguished Principal in 1997 and also received my doctorate in educational administration. Was named Apple Distinguished Educator in 1998. In 2003 I moved to Denver to become Senior Director for Curriculum and Instruction for McREL International, an education research and professional development lab. I have written three books, Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed., Using Technology for Classroom Instruction that Works, 1st and 2nd ed., and A Handbook for Classroom Instruction that Works, 2nd ed. I am pretty sure Ms. Panetta would be very surprised by that. I currently teach online and face-to-face classes for teachers and principals for both Wichita State and Emporia State Universities.
Most importantly, I have three wonderful grandsons.

I guess I majored in music in high school. Almost all of my memories have to do with band, orchestra, and stage band. I loved playing in the pit orchestra for our musicals.