Delavan CUSD 703 is expanding its commitment to arts education with the addition of two new faculty members for the upcoming school year. At its latest meeting, the Board of Education approved the hiring of Benjamin Haushalter as the district’s new Music teacher and Sara Alibabaei as the new Art teacher.

Haushalter, set to graduate in May 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Illinois State University, brings both formal training and hands-on experience to his new role. A lifelong musician, he has performed in a diverse range of ensembles—including marching band, concert band, percussion ensemble, and basketball drumline—and served as the principal percussionist for the ISU Symphonic Band and cymbal section leader in the marching band for two years. His dedication to music education has also extended to Tri-Valley High School, where he worked for four years as front ensemble percussion tech. Among his honors are the John Phillip Sousa Award (2021), Lloyd and Eleanor Fengel Scholarship (2024), and the Blake Cowden Leadership Scholarship (2021). Haushalter is a student of Dr. David Collier, Dr. Ben Stiers, and Dr. Elliott Godinez, and has studied percussion privately for seven years. Proficient in piano, skilled in arranging, and experienced in using Pyware drill design software, he is poised to lead engaging classroom instruction, coordinate student performances, and build a vibrant music program rooted in discipline and creativity.

Alibabaei, meanwhile, will lead the district’s visual arts curriculum, infusing lessons with her creative perspective and global experience. Originally from Tehran, Iran, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and a Master of Fine Arts in Illustration—both earned in Tehran—and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Art Education at Illinois State University. Her teaching career spans five years with high school and middle school students in Tehran, followed by four years as a university lecturer. Beyond her classroom work, she’s also an accomplished freelance illustrator, having collaborated with various publications. Her diverse background is expected to enrich students’ appreciation for the visual arts while introducing fresh, innovative approaches to creative expression.

Together, Haushalter and Alibabaei are poised to inspire Delavan students through rich, engaging arts programming. Their appointments reflect the district’s ongoing dedication to providing a well-rounded education that nurtures creativity, discipline, and self-expression.

They will begin their roles with the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.