Community Q&A: Warren Waller combines passion for teaching with music to transform lives

Mar. 7—Warren Waller has found a way to balance his passion for teaching others and his love of sharing music through a job at the Washington State Penitentiary.

Although he is not originally from Walla Walla, or even the state of Washington, he said he has found a home in the community. Born and raised in New England, North Dakota, Waller said he is no stranger to small towns.

"I was a city kid in a farming community," he said. "You don't really stay around."

Waller, who lived outside Portland, decided he needed a change of pace. Not quite wanting to live in a small town dominated by wheat fields and cows, he settled on Walla Walla.

Waller took a teaching job at Washington State Penitentiary about two summers ago, and he said he has found a passion for helping others realize their potential through teaching both math and music.

What has been the most impactful aspect of the work you do?

My wife, Linda Scott, is the executive director of the Star Project. Before that, she taught out at the penitentiary. She would tell me these incredible stories about the transformation that some of these men would go through while she was teaching them.

I wanted to be a part of that. I would ask myself, what do you want to do with your life? The answer definitely was not working at a grocery store. I wanted to do something transformative for others.

When I work with my students, I am there to help them transform their lives so they can come out and be good citizens. I want these guys to be neighbors at the end. The other side of this recidivism. I don't want harm to come to anyone. We want the best people coming back into society.

For me, it's mission driven, to inspire these guys to get educated. To see some of my students land roles of responsibility is so inspiring to me.

What are some of the challenges you face as a teacher at WSP?

For me, I'm blessed enough that the guys who come into my classes want to be there. They've kind of already turned the corner and want that education. There are certain mandates that do get in the way for some students like getting a high school diploma. Some of those students aren't always directed to do things in their best interest.

The lines of communication while working inside with the regular Community College can be challenging as well. We do a lot of our own admin, and everything is very paper driven because access to the internet is pretty limited.

I wish we had more offerings for students. We have good programs for digital design, HVAC and welding. I just wish there would be more opportunities for folks to try something different. I see that coming down the road, but it looks like we might be playing the long game.

How do you incorporate music into your work?

I integrate music theory into my math. Some of the guys caught wind of me and now we get together and play as a band. If someone wants to learn how to play a solo in the various pentatonic scale, I dig that information up for them.

A lot of the guys have original stuff that they have come up with on their own, which is really cool. We kind of play to whatever event (in the penitentiary) we are attending. I remember one time, we were playing at an event, and the drummer looked at me and said, "I never thought that I would be able to do anything like this after I took my fall." Moments like that really stand out in my memory.

The days when we play music together brings a sense of normalcy and humanity to the space. Music plays a pretty role in my life; my time is more dedicated to being in the penitentiary.

I believe music can positively impact people.

How are you working to remove the stigma that follows incarcerated individuals?

I spend a lot of time talking about it with folks I'm around. I mention the different inspiring aspects that they go through, and I talk about the people who rise to the occasion.

There are lots of people who want to do better things. I see that a lot of these people, when they leave, want to continue to advocate for this population.

If an individual comes to me and is inspired to learn and move on, I'm inspired to take them forward. I will advocate for them in their educational journey throughout that place.

___

(c)2024 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Wash.)

Visit Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Wash.) at union-bulletin.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.