05/19/2026
This is a pic of class 2009 at WHS!
As a Gosling Grad, I wrote in to the Watertown Daily Times,
As someone who attended Watertown schools, it is frustrating and heartbreaking to watch a district that once promoted inclusion and creativity move toward limiting what students can perform in a public educational setting.
Students in the Watertown High School band have spent months preparing for their spring concert, only to now face the possibility that a piece could be removed because of political controversy surrounding its inspiration. That is unfair to the students and discouraging for educators who work hard to challenge and engage young people through the arts.
Public schools should not take partisan stances on which music is acceptable simply because some community members disagree with the historical background connected to a composition. Music education has always gone beyond entertainment. It teaches discipline, teamwork, history, culture, empathy, and critical thinking.
I also worry about the long-term message this sends to teachers and future educators. Across Wisconsin, schools are already struggling with teacher burnout and staffing shortages. Talented educators leave classrooms every year searching for workplaces where they feel trusted and supported. Some even turn to entrepreneurship and advocacy work, just as I did through my own journey after graduation.
Communities should want schools that attract passionate teachers, musicians, and leaders — not environments where educators fear backlash for introducing students to challenging or meaningful works of art. Students benefit when teachers are empowered to educate, not pressured to avoid anything that could become politically controversial.
I remember a school system that encouraged students to explore ideas, ask questions, and grow through experiences in music and the arts. I hope Watertown schools continue to be a place where students feel supported in learning, performing, and expressing themselves without politics overshadowing their hard work.
Sincerely, Abigail Tessmann
