Kailey Filben Carries On Her Father’s Music Teaching Legacy
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Like any other youngster, Wheeling Middle School music teacher Kailey Filben practiced and practiced her musical endeavors as a child.
But there was an additional challenge. Her father, Buddy Filben, was the music teacher at WMS.
"I definitely remember times when I was practicing piano or working on percussion and I would yell upstairs for help from the music room," Kailey said. "Or I would get help that was unsolicited.
"My dad would yell down the steps and say, 'That's the wrong note.'"
Buddy Filben died from cancer in early 2020 just as Kailey, now 23, was making plans for college.
This year, she began teaching music in his former classroom at WMS.
Her mother, Tracey Filben, also is a music teacher at John Marshall HIgh School.
"Never would I have predicted I would be teaching in his (Buddy Filben's) classroom," Kailey said. "But I did see myself teaching. I knew that. But never thought it would be in his classroom.
"It's a legacy. Teaching in itself is important. To see his impact -- and to realize I am continuing it -- is motivational. I want to get in every day and make it the best I can. It's very emotional to me."
Kailey said she rode with her father every day during her "developmental years" in middle school.
"He played a large part in how my life would go. He influenced me in the same way others will say he did them," she continued. "He was a tough teacher. Even though he was tough and asked for the best out of you, he always gave his best."
Kailey noted her father was one of the people that when you met him, you never forgot him.
"He was every great adjective," she said. "He was hardworking and had the grit and tenacity to get things done. He was strong-willed.
"Those are a lot of the qualities I get from him."
She added that when she was a student there were times when their "paths started to cross."
"It never bothered me," Kailey added. "I enjoyed that. Especially later in life, I enjoyed him and my mom being my teachers.
"If I needed something, he was there. He would give help, but never brag about it. He was behind the scenes doing lots and lots of things for everybody."
She said many of his former students tell her they were either scared or intimidated by him.
"But they say as they worked with him, he became an important person in their lives," Kailey continued. "To say he was a friend and mentor was accurate for everyone.
"He was not someone who coddled. But he brought out the best in people. Some have said I helped give him that softer side."
She is the Filbens' only child.
Kailley attended the University of North Texas, which is noted for its music program. She earned a double major in music and percussion performance.
Kailey admitted she nearly opted to attend college closer to home as her father became more ill, but he encouraged her to go to Texas.
"He wanted me to achieve my dreams and work hard for what I was doing," she said. "I wish every day I could talk to him and ask questions. He would probably be proud, and just happy for me in my journey.
"I don't think any of us envisioned the turn of events where I would work in the school where he worked, and he would think this is special for me to get back in the school where I'm continuing his legacy," she concluded.