Director of Willow Wood Junior High Bands
Jim Shaw
2021-2022 marks Jim Shaw's fifteenth year as Director of Bands at Willow Wood JHS. He holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in music education and performance from West Texas A&M University. Prior to moving to Willow Wood, Mr. Shaw taught band in the Harlingen, Midland, and Klein ISD's. He has also conducted bands at the Katy ISD, Baylor University, and West Texas A&M University summer band camps.
Bands under Mr. Shaw's direction have consistently earned Superior ratings in UIL and other competitions. In 2019, the Willow Wood Band was named a National Winner in the Foundation for Music Educations Mark of Excellence band competition.
Mr. Shaw is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout Texas. In addition to his educational outreach through publications, Mr. Shaw has also presented professional development clinics for the West Texas A&M University Band Directors Workshop, the Texas Bandmasters Association convention, student teacher groups from West Texas A&M and Sam Houston State Universities, and school districts in Texas and New Mexico.
A member of the Phi Beta Mu International band directors honor fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Mr. Shaw lives in Tomball with his wife Jennifer, a music teacher in Klein, and their two children.
Assistant Director of WWJH Bands
Debra Vandergriff
Director of Northpointe/Oakcrest Intermediate Bands
Dawn Melton
My name is Dawn Melton and I am a band director at Norhpointe and Oakcrest Intermediate Schools. This is my fourth year here in Tomball, and I get to work with the best kids and best colleagues around!
This is year 15 for me in public education. I spent my first 11 years in the Midway school district just outside of Waco, and moved to Tomball in 2017. I have taught everything from elementary music through high school band, and have found my niche in grades 6-8. I love teaching beginning band and am so excited to be back at Northpointe and Oakcrest this year!
I received my Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Abilene Christian University (Go Wildcats!) in 2006. I also have my Masters in Education for School Counseling from Lamar University, which I earned in 2016.
My husband Brian and I actually met in band in college. We have two awesome kids - Riley (11), and Nolan (9). We also have two pretty great doodles, Penny & Piper. My favorite things to do outside of school are hang out with my family, cook delicious food, and sew and craft.