When choir teacher Alyssa Malbon first did choir as a sixth grader, she was shy. Singing in front of others felt intimidating, but within that space, she found a supportive community where she felt seen. That allowed her to grow. Malbon was inspired by her former teacher.
“My teacher created a safe community of people who loved music as much as I did,” Malbon said. “It helped me come out of my shell. I decided then that I wanted to help create that kind of place for others, so I became a teacher.”
Years later, Malbon uses what her past teacher taught her and continues to encourage and connect with students.
Music has always been a big part in Malbon’s life.
“One of my favorite memories from my childhood was doing karaoke with my cousins and my little sister in Frankenmuth,” Malbon said. “We would sing our hearts out to Disney and Taylor Swift, not caring how silly we looked or sounded.”
Those moments continue today. Malbon still plays the old piano at her parents’ house, singing alongside her sister. For her, music is less about perfection.
“Seeing a student struggle with a piece of music and finally find their confidence is incredibly fulfilling,” Malbon said.
Yet her path wasn’t without obstacles. As a student, she struggled with her mental health, which made school feel overwhelming. Through that experience, she learned many values.
“I learned it’s okay to ask for help — from teachers, counselors, or friends,” she said. “There are more people who want to help you succeed than you think. Once I learned to find something good in each day, school became easier. It didn’t have to take up my whole life.”
This year Malbon brings what she learned to Clague Middle School.
“She has positive energy and is really engaging,” seventh grader Keeley Knight said. “She is fun to be around.”
Like her previous teacher, Malbon creates a place where students are free to make mistakes. During rehearsals, Malbon regularly reminds students that mistakes are a part of learning.
Her impact is seen by students.
“Ms. Malbon makes the choir fun,” seventh grader Bo Bradley said. “She does activities like Move it Monday, Thinking Tuesday, and Watch it Wednesday. She even dances. Ms. Malbon is lenient, really chill, and her outfits are cool. She makes choir feel like a place where you can actually be yourself without being judged.”
Outside the classroom, Malbon has many interests. She loves reading and grew up reading Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games.
“Even though the stories are fictional, they reflect real life struggles and goals. So when I started to think about my career as an adult, I knew that I wanted to do something that involves helping people. While I may never lead a rebellion or use my superpowers (which I definitely have) to fight evil, I know that I can use my power as an educator to make our school, students, and community better,” Malbon said.
Malbon isn’t just teaching students how to sing. She’s creating a space where they are supported. She is helping students share their voices with the world.
