Humans at AFS: Meet the Science Teacher Who Rocks, Literally

Abington Friends School’s latest staff member, Brian Scheiblein, joins the campus this year as the new science teacher, bringing with him not only a love for biology and physics but also a deep passion for music. When he is not in the classroom, you can often find him performing on stage with his band, mixing his creativity in both science and sound.

What is your connection to music?

I’ve always really loved music. It’s one of those things that has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, whether that’s putting on headphones and listening for hours or playing guitar with my band. I’ve been playing for about 12 years now, and it’s something that always keeps me grounded. 

My band’s name is Placebo Jones, and we’ve been together for quite a while. We’ve played shows all around the Philly and South Jersey area for the past five years, and it’s been a huge part of my life outside the classroom.

What kind of music does your band play?

I’d say our style is progressive rock, which a lot of people aren’t too familiar with. It’s a mix of hard rock with other influences like jazz and Latin music, so it’s very layered and experimental. We spend a lot of time trying to make our songs sound different, to blend those influences and keep things interesting. 

For me, music is about creativity and collaboration, which isn’t too different from teaching. You’re working with people, bouncing ideas off each other, and trying to create something meaningful.

What made you decide to come teach at AFS?

I took this job because I’m a science teacher. I teach non-honors biology and 2D physics, and before this, I worked in the Philadelphia School District. In public schools, you have to follow very specific guidelines and curriculum. There’s the Keystone test that all biology students take, and it really controls how and what you teach. 

After a while, I wanted to be in a place that gave me more freedom to teach in a way that felt natural. I knew AFS was very community-oriented, with smaller classes and a focus on connection. That was exactly what I was looking for, a place where students and teachers really know each other, where learning feels personal. I also liked that AFS encourages creativity, which fits with how I approach both science and music.

What inspired you to become a teacher in the first place?

Honestly, I wasn’t a great student when I was younger. I didn’t get the best grades, and I didn’t really care about school for a long time. But in eleventh grade, I had a history teacher who completely changed the way I saw learning. He made it fun and interesting, and for the first time, it actually clicked. That experience stuck with me. 

When I went to college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I switched majors five or six times and felt lost for a while. Then I thought back to that teacher and how much of an impact he had on me. I realized maybe I could do the same thing for someone else. During my first fieldwork, when I got to go into a classroom and teach a real lesson, I just knew. It felt right, like, oh, this feels right, I’d found what I was supposed to do. I’ve never regretted that decision since.