Longtime elementary school music teacher retires after 33 years at Muldown

Dawn Hashley retires this year after 33 years of instilling a passion for the arts in elementary aged students. She says that her time at Muldown Elementary School “[Has] been a really satisfying career.” 

Hashley grew up with parents who shared her similar passion for the arts, and her father taught drama and speech. She started playing the piano in Kindergarten and it has remained her primary instrument to this day. 

She originally attended Rocky Mountain College, pursuing both musical and athletic passions but decided that, due to an overwhelmingly busy schedule, she would move to Eastern Montana College, renamed as Montana State University Billings, and focus solely on music.  

Hashley taught fifth grade for one year in Opheim, Montana, before she was offered the opportunity to teach in Whitefish and return home to the Flathead Valley.  

She always knew that she wanted to work with elementary aged students. She appreciates that kids this age are “easily inspired,” she said, and that she could catch them at an age that would get them excited about music and about the arts. 

She particularly enjoyed teaching children with disabilities. She said that she particularly enjoyed witnessing the gift that these children were able to discover at such a young age.  

When asked about her favorite part of her teaching career, she did not hesitate in her answer.

“Programs were my absolute favorite,” she said.  

There was a time during her career that she was able to successfully put on an average of four shows per year. During this time, she really looked forward to the program rehearsals everyday. She focused on making sure that every child that progressed through Muldown had a special part at least once before graduating fourth grade.  

She felt that these performances were extremely impactful for the children and also heartwarming for their parents.  

Hashley has always been extremely involved in the Flathead Valley’s artistic community. She assisted in the creation of the Alpine Theater Project and in a few musicals. She is currently the music director for, as well as plays the piano and organ for, the Methodist Church in Kalispell. She also enjoys playing for the community choir in Columbia Falls.  

She explicitly states her love for the opportunities that the local music community has to offer and she hopes that they are able to keep the opportunities in the school.  

“It is important for kids to really feel like they are a part of something,” Hashley said.  

After 34 years of teaching nearly 4,500 children music and theater, she looks forward to relaxing around the valley in her retirement. She plans on continuing her music in the church aspect and is excited to spend more time with her family and fish with her friends on the Bitterroot.