By Dawn Crosson, Owner and Editor
Most people can look back at their formative years and think of one or two people who made a substantial difference in their lives. For countless local students, Kathleen Jacoby will be that person. During her 17 years as band director at Herndon High School, Jacoby has touched the lives of thousands of North Reston and Herndon teenagers.
Last month, Jacoby accepted a position at the Fairfax County Public Schools [FCPS] central office where she will apply the skills she has honed through planning and executing large-scale marching band events to overseeing the FCPS employee recognition program.
When she announced her decision to her current students on Sept. 20, emotions ran high. The students cried, but within minutes, they had dozens of alumni on FaceTime for an impromptu virtual reunion. Later that night, her inbox was flooded with break-up songs from her students.
“This age group is an age group I connect with so much,” Jacoby said. “The students are my heart and soul.” And that connection has been reciprocated.
“Mrs. Jacoby is the most selfless person I know,” said Keny Mejia-Alvarenga, Class of 2024. “She’s kind, generous, warmhearted, and overall, a great person. She willingly took on the challenge of managing kids of all ages, and seeing her start a new chapter is emotional because she’s always put others first. Wherever she goes, whoever she's with, she's always got the love and support of HHS Band, staff, and alumni."
Jacoby, an Arlington native, spent her first four years after college teaching band in Spotsylvania County before coming to Herndon High. At the time, her father, a diplomat, had just purchased a home in Herndon. Even though she owned a home in Fredericksburg, Jacoby she moved in with her dad to take on the role of band director at Herndon, leading the Pride of Herndon, the oldest marching band in Fairfax County Public Schools, founded in 1947.
Soon after, she and her husband, the current band director at Falls Church High School, bought a home near the school. Their two daughters, ages 7 and 9, have grown up around Herndon High, attending the daycare across the street, where they could see their mom on her lunch breaks, and went to band camp with her every morning in the summers. “Amy took her first steps in the front office at Herndon,” Jacoby remembers. “I was talking with the front office staff; we were going over budget stuff. I stuck her on the ground and she started toddling. They are very much Herndon kids.”
For 17 years, Jacoby gave everything to her students. In 2019, she took the Pride of Herndon to Normandy, France to represent the United States at the 75th-anniversary commemoration of D-Day. The band’s participation included marching in dress blues borrowed from sailors aboard the U.S.S. Herndon, a destroyer that played a pivotal role on D-Day and shares its name with the town. The ship led the naval assault off the coast of France on D-Day.
Handling teenagers in a band room and on a drill field is one thing; traveling across an ocean, through airports, hotels, and foreign towns with them is another. But Jacoby pulled it off, and did it again last year, this time across a different ocean. In December 2023, The Pride of Herndon hopped the Pacific to Hawaii to perform in the 2023 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, where they marched down the streets of Waikiki, and performed on the U.S.S. Missouri. Students say memories of these trips and of their time in the band will last their lifetimes.
“Ms. Jacoby played a big part in my high school years, She always demonstrated passion and dedication not only to the music, but to her band family as well,” said band alumnus Hedy Vargas. “She was more than a band director to me; she was like a second mom at school. I knew I could always count on her to help me get through stressful times.”
Parents, too, recognize Jacoby's extraordinary commitment. "Kathleen has been far more than a band director," said Rini Dutta, former HHS Band Parent Association Communications Chair. "She has been a positive adult influence in the lives of so many students at an age when this is vital. She has been the strong reason for the underlying helpful spirit of the band—where the first thing the students learn is to support each other like a family."
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, Jacoby was named FCPS Secondary Teacher of the Year, and was a finalist for the Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year, and a nominee for Virginia State Teacher of the Year. These accolades will serve her well in her new role managing employee recognition at FCPS. Although she’s stepping down from her position at Herndon High, Jacoby and her family will remain in the area. She will continue to guide the marching band until a replacement is found. The decision to leave the classroom wasn’t planned, but came at the right time. “I wasn’t actively looking for a job,” Jacoby said.
She and her husband had been discussing if one of them could transition to a steadier schedule to be more present for their girls as they grew older, thinking that to continue working such hours through retirement was not sustainable for their family. “When I sat down and made my pros and cons list I saw that all the reasons I had for leaving were for my kids, and all the reasons I had for staying were for other people's kids," she said.
Jacoby’s job responsibilities will now be cut in half. “Managing teams of people, managing large-scale events,” she said. “It’s everything I do on top of my teaching job. I’m taking all the extra things I do and that will be my whole job instead of doing a full time teaching job also.” Her daughters will get to see their mom more as they grow older, which is invaluable.
While Jacoby’s departure marks the end of an era for Herndon’s band program, she leaves behind a legacy of excellence. The Pride of Herndon, which includes Marching Band, Color Guard, Indoor Drumline, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds, and Wind Ensemble, is recognized as one of the top band programs in Virginia. But more importantly, she has instilled a lifelong love of music, the importance of teamwork, and the power of a supportive school community in thousands of students.
Here's what some had to say about Jacoby:
“Mrs Jacoby is one of the most influential people I’ve met in my life. She’s given many people so many opportunities to learn and grow and I will forever keep that in my heart! Feven Mekonnen (Class of 2024)
"Ms. Jacoby made Band my favorite part of high school and impacted my life in such a positive way. Thank you for everything Ms. Jacoby!" -Tasneem Abdul-Rashid (Class of 2024)
"Thank you for the dedication, guidance, and heart you’ve poured into the band. You've made a lasting impact on each one of us". -Amran Ahmed (Class of 2024)
“Mrs. Jacoby, you shall always be the heart of the Pride of Herndon. I’ve learned how to be a better musician, leader, and person because of you." -Jason Coleman
"My years in band with Mrs Jacoby were my favorite memories from high school. She always inspired us to work hard to become better musicians, leaders, and community members." -Jenna Ainge
"This program has helped me grow into the position of leader, gaining confidence and communication skills". -Color Guard Captain Carrie Toohey (Class of 2025)
"Kathleen Jacoby has created an environment of diversity and inclusion in which every band student grows and thrives. I especially appreciate her support of students to start and run their own ensembles" -Lynn Reda, President, Herndon High School Band
Parents Association
“My best memory of Ms Jacoby is meeting her for the first time. I wasn't very excited about band at that time and was just about to move from Seattle to Virginia (not very happy about it), but she met with me on a zoom call to hear me play and was so kind that I got excited to stick with band." -KC Cummings (Class of 2025)
“Band ten hut... HUT! We will do better tomorrow” -Seif Adul-Rashid
"Her influence touched all of our hearts" -David Merlos
"It's because of you that the band program feels like a home for so many" -Julia Morgan (Class of 2015)
Mrs. Jacoby, thank you for dealing with missed notes and stepoffs for over 17 years! Thank you for helping me improve not only my music skills but my leadership skills too. One of the MANY great things about you was how you told us when there were events at other schools, like the Shenandoah brass and Bridgewater marching band days, among many others. Those events 100% helped me improve, but I only knew about them bc you told us. - Brass Captain, Leeland Blouch, (Class of 2026)
Thank you Mrs. Jacoby for everything you always supported me and pushed me to be my best. You have given me the opportunities I never imagined I could have had. Thank you for caring about me and my family. You are like my school mother. I will miss you. Have fun at your new job and soar high - Gus Bonilla-Lemus (Class of 2025)
Every memory I have in high school relates back to the band. Thank you to Ms. Jacoby for being kind, understanding, and a role model. - Natalie Branson (Class of 2023)
I would have never ended up in the music education major if it wasn't for Ms. Jacoby’s phenomenal job of fostering the sense of family in the band. My entire philosophy of music education is centered around the idea of creating family in the classroom. It amazes me how many of my high school friends I can go so long without seeing and still have that spark with them. I cannot wait to spread the love of music with my students one day. - Drum Major 2022, Ethan Boswell (Class of 2023)
I have never had such a supportive and caring teacher throughout my education experience. I am truly grateful for all the memories I've made and the impact Ms. Jacoby has had on my presence within the band. - Maisha Hannan, (Class of 2022)
Ms. J showed me the beauty, the need, and the independence of the French Horn. A super hard yet super beautiful melody that can flow from a Horn like the sea flowing at its lightest. I could never thank you enough for being my Band Director, I won't forget these moments until the day of death arrives to my soul. - Devon James Pipes (Class of 2024)
Thanks for being a band director who lets students grow as musicians and as people while letting them retain some of the idiocy expected from teenagers. You've been the best teacher a high schooler could ask for these past 17 years. Heck, you've been so good, you made a pipeline of music majors to your alma mater, JMU. Have fun with life. - Michael Fullerton (Class of 2024)
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