Brandon Twp.- For 35 years, Debbie Sebetic honed the musical talents of students, with 16 of those years in Brandon.
That career, which also included coaching young tennis players, reached the end of its long run in June with Sebetic’s retirement.
‘In 1999, I came to Brandon to teach music and coach tennis,? said Sebetic. ‘I liked the Brandon student body and the direction the district was going in. The kids were hardworking and energetic. I always enjoyed seeing students excel and do they best they could.?
Sebetic began as a choir teacher in 1979 at Welsh Hills School, in Grandville, Ohio. She would continue to teach music in Ohio schools before coming to Michigan, where she taught at Clawson Middle School for a year before coming to Brandon after seeing an advertisement for a choir teacher and tennis coach. Tennis is a passion for Sebetic, who has played the sport for 48 years now, including competitively with the USTA since moving to Rochester.
Music is her first love, however, and over the years, Sebetic has enjoyed seeing students step on to the stage and develop self-confidence.
‘They mature and do things they weren’t sure they could do, whether that is singing or dancing or acting,? she said.
Sebetic’s three favorite musicals she directed are ‘Phantom of the Opera,? ‘Les Miserables,? and ‘Titanic.?
‘They were exciting musicals, with large casts,? she said. ‘I liked the plots, the development of the characters, they were just fun, with wonderful music… Brandon has produced some amazing talent.?
She notes that over the years, 30 Brandon High School students were in the all-state choir and 90 were state honors choir members. In middle school, 55 of her students made the honors choir.
‘I loved the honors programs,? said Sebetic. ‘For the kids to have succeeded that far and to be with the best in all state was absolutely outstanding and exciting.?
Challenges in her teaching career including changes in terms of teacher evaluations and more paperwork that had to be filed.
She said that as education continues to change, fine arts and physical education must be maintained for students.
‘We’ve got to continue to supply opportunities for students in the fine arts,? she said. ‘We have to provide the curriculum for choir and band in all grades… There is so much focus on science and math, but the arts are important to keep students well-balanced and to fulfill their education and provide a framework for life.?
She is also concerned that children aren’t as physically active as they should be and more physical education should be provided at the elementary level.
‘They have to make cutbacks, but PE is so important,? said Sebetic. ‘The kids need to be able to follow directions and rules. There is self-discipline involved in sports. It’s really important to learn that when you’re young. There is a lot more violence today in our society, but play a two or three hour soccer match or tennis match and you’re pretty relaxed when you’re done. It helps to take out energy that can be directed in the wrong way. Sports are good for mental stability and direction.?
She notes they also require kids to put down cell phones and get off social media, the biggest challenges she believes kids are facing.
‘I think they get too distracted, kids really need to focus on their studies and their work,? said Sebetic.
In her retirement, Sebetic is planning to focus more on her tennis game. She also plans to travel to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, where her daughter resides.