By Brooke Larsen

Guess what day it is…? “Where Do You Work?” Wednesday! This week meet alumnus Brandt Payne. (Bachelor of Music ’01, Iowa Licensure Program).

Payne is currently in his ninth-year teaching at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. He is the associate professor of music and director of athletic bands.

Payne says he loves all the opportunities he gets to spend time with his students.

“Providing university students opportunities to be successful in life is very rewarding and a big responsibility,” Payne says.

While Payne was prepared to be an excellent musician in the University of Iowa School of Music, the University of Iowa College of Education prepared him to be an excellent teacher.

“Psychology of Education was an important course I took earlier in my degree that sparked a deeper interest in teaching and engaging others in meaningful and positive ways.”

Payne says it has been nearly 20 years since he attended the University of Iowa.

“The experiences and people I was fortunate enough to learn from and spend time with during my degree served as a tremendous spring board into my career as musician and ultimately, a university professor,” Payne says. “I still have the College of Education mug I was given at graduation in 2001 to hold pens and pencils on my desk.

Want to be the next “Where Do You Work Wednesday?” or nominate someone? Message us on Facebook, tag them with #HawkeyeTeachers, or email us at educationatiowa@uiowa.edu."