✉ Contact Susan Basalik

Susan Basalik has taught stringed instruments in Methacton School District, Eagleville, PA since 1981. She teaches 220 students, grades three through six, directs three orchestras and serves as music department curriculum coordinator. As an educator, she truly enjoys teaching all levels of students, with a strong focus on working with younger students. She continuously advocates for providing opportunities for all students to participate in music programs within and outside of her school district. She enjoys creating for and working with her students and her colleagues to develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Methacton’s elementary orchestras have performed several times as part of PMEA’s celebration of Music in Our School Month’s at the state capital building in Harrisburg. As department coordinator, she works with other Methacton teachers and administrators to ensure that the music department continues to successfully collaborate with other departments and participate in district-wide initiatives. The Methacton School District has been recognized ten times as one of NAMM’s Best Communities for Music Education.

Susan received Bachelors & Masters Degrees in Music Education from Temple University. Her post-masters studies include music technology, stringed instrument teaching techniques, and leadership. In 2020, Susan received a Masters’ Degree in Educational Technology from Wilson College. She considers herself to be a lifelong learner.

Susan is very active in PMEA and has served in a variety of roles including chair of the PMEA Professional Development Council from 2009-2015. She is currently serving as the co-chair of PMEA’s Mentor Committee and has served as District 11’s Fest Coordinator since 2011. She previously served as Technology Content Area Representative and Orchestra Representative to PMEA’s Curriculum Council. She’s also served on several strategic plan task forces and conference planning committees. Her other professional memberships include ASTA (American String Teachers Association) and its Pennsylvania affiliate PADESTA where she is currently a member of the Executive Board. She served as president of PADESTA between 2002-2004. She is also a member of ISTE (International Society for Technology Education.) She has presented many conference sessions for PMEA/NAfME, ASTA, and ISTE on local, state, and national levels to demonstrate innovative ways to add technology to all aspects of music education.  Susan is currently working with other PMEA representatives as well as representatives from other Pennsylvania arts education associations on revisions to the PA State Arts Standards.

Susan was also the 2019 recipient of PMEA’s James Stewart Award for Distinguished Service. She was named a 2019 Keystone Technology Innovator Star and was a lead learner at the 2021 Keystone Technology Innovators’ Stars Summit where she taught teachers and technology coaches from throughout Pennsylvania to creatively integrate music and “maker space” activities.  

Susan is a native of Philadelphia, and was a student in the School District of Philadelphia. During her time as a middle school and high school student, she was taught by several outstanding music educators, all of whom provided her with the interest and motivation to become a music teacher. Susan is a resident of Collegeville where she lives with her husband Ken. Their son Benjamin is an elementary orchestra teacher in the Radnor Township School District.  Outside of school, Susan plays cello in the Providence Chamber Orchestra and plays in orchestras for local community theater productions.