Your Nominations
Jennifer Neumann
Mrs. Neumann is the best teacher that I’ve ever had in my entire life. She changed who I was, just to become a better person. When I joined her choir class, I immediately knew that I was welcomed and that I belonged there. She helps us create the most beautiful music and even more beautiful memories.
Erick Crow
I met Erick Crow many years ago at Jacksonville University, FL ( as Staff Pianist) , where I saw him grow as a singer/violinist in Choir, Opera, Music Theater, and Orchestra. During that time, he lost his only brother, and was surrounded by the love of the entire music department.
After graduation, he received a MM in Choral Studies/Conducting at UF -Gainesville (FL), where I literally ran into him in the music department: a wonderful surprise! We lost touch again until I heard that he had become the Director of Music at his alma mater, Cardinal Gibbons Highschool, Ft.Lauderdale, FL. Currently, he is Director of Fine and Performing Arts at the Out-of-Door Academy in Sarasota, FL.
My reasons for nominating Erick for Teacher of the Week, are his kindness and love for all students, and his dedication to their musical growth and personal fulfillment, just as he has fulfilled his own purpose and dreams in life. Erick has an immense heart for everyone, and is beloved by all who know him.
Professor Melissa Johnson
Professor Johnson, director of the Butler University Athletic Bands, has without a doubt been the most influential adult role model in my college career thus far. Despite me not being an advanced musician at all, she has gone above and beyond to support both me and my fellow musicians through the beautiful chaos of athletic bands. It is clear that Professor Johnson gives love and care to both music and the performers behind it, and consistently has been our bands’ guiding star. She encourages leadership on and off the field to help us grow and succeed as people, and for that I will always be grateful.
Taylor Schneider
I am nominating Taylor because she is making a huge difference as a K-2 special education teacher at Springmill STEM Elementary School in Mansfield, Ohio. She loves what she does and it’s clear because she goes above and beyond to help all students learn. She creates lasting relationships with the students and their families and advocates for what’s best for them. Her students are very lucky to have her.
Alan Roberts
Mr. Roberts was my high school choir teacher and is one of my favorite people to exist! He brings a smile into every room he’s in, and makes choir something to look forward to every day. His class was the reason I had near perfect attendance for 4 years, and I’ll never forget the family that was made in room 801! His kindness and friendliness is shown to EVERY individual he meets, and he makes everyone he talks to feel special. He’s not only the reason I felt more confident in my choice to go into music school, but he too, helped me gain more confidence in myself. Anyone who gets the pleasure to be taught by Mr. Roberts is truly lucky to have such a passionate, amazing teacher. He deserves all the credit!
Mrs. Ashley Mathews
Ashley Mathews is much more than a teacher! She is an amazing human. She entered my daughter’s life three short years ago. Mrs. Mathews took a new job in our school district. From the first day of school, my daughter wouldn’t stop talking about this new choir director. Ashley speaks to her students with kindness and respect. In turn, the students show her the same respect. Over the three years in the choir, my daughter went from just being a part of the class to being a huge part of the program. By her senior year, my daughter was the department manager and did an Independent Study with Ashley. My daughter knew shortly after meeting her teacher, that this was the path she wanted to take. Because of Ashley, she is attending the same college as her teacher, studying music education under the same mentors, and hopes to change the lives of her future students the way Mrs. Mathews did for her. In my opinion, there will never be another teacher to ever come close to Ashley.
Joel Styzens
Joel teaches at Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, where he has been a percussion/drum set/piano teacher for twenty years. His students love his rhythm boot camps and his enthusiastic teaching that is individualized. He finds what they are already doing well and builds each lesson to learn new skills. He encourages them to compose, and when he performs, he makes space for them on stage as well. Because Joel has taught with health issues, he first advocates hearing protection and pushes for full inclusivity and accessibility for those who have sensory differences or physical/neurological disability. Joel has taught full time and worked on side commercial and personal projects so his students are exposed to a variety of experiences and opportunities they would not have received otherwise. https://relaxyourears.com/
Roger Doss
Mr. Doss served as the Ashland Middle School (Ashland, KY) band director for 18 years, and will be moving to the role of Ashland High School band director next year. Through his time as a beginning band director, he instilled the love of music in hundreds of students, always putting a focus on making music an enjoyable pursuit for his students. His tireless dedication has led to many distinguished ratings at assessments, and has led many students (myself included) to pursue music education as a career.
Alan Roberts
Mr. Roberts is quite literally the only teacher I’ve had who’s made every single day something to look forward to! His incredible passion for music is seen through his teaching in almost everything he does and is very easily spread to his students. He’s not only the best teacher I’ve had, but he’s one of my favorite people to simply exist! His kindness and compassion that’s shown to everyone he meets is unmatched. He is an absolute joy and is a light in so many students, teachers, and people’s lives. Mr. Roberts brings so many smiles to an uncountable amount of faces and deserves all the praise he can get. Having been taught by him is something I’ll truly treasure for the rest of my life. He’s taken a program that was not very recognized and not heavily participated in, to a program that holds multiple awards, is loved by the whole school, and has a sense of family like no other. It has been a privilege to be his student and I cannot give him enough thanks for everything he’s done.
Jamie Stroffolino
It seems to me as though, if a student at Walter Panas High School has Mr. Stroffolino (or as we affectionately call him, Stroff), he will almost immediately become their favorite teacher. He was genuinely one of the most positive things in my life during online school, and I am certain that I would not have made it out as intact without his class. His positive attitude brightens everyone’s day, and his door is always open to his students. Not only is he a cool teacher, though; he’s also an incredibly good one. Yesterday, we participated in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) choral majors festival with the Chamber Choir and Bella Voce (treble choir). Both groups received a gold with distinction, the highest award, at level 6, the highest level. Our success was as a result of Mr. Stroffolino’s musical expertise and overwhelming support of his students. Personally, I know that I will never forget the happy memories and important lessons learned in his class.
First of all, Jamie Stroffolino (aka Stroff) is your BIGGEST fan. He’s always singing your praises and having us sing your music. But Stroff is so much more than an Eric Whitacre fanboy. He’s a talented musician who is constantly working to better his craft. Stroff’s multi-talented; I’ve had the pleasure of having him as my choir teacher, but he also teaches orchestra at our school and plays many different instruments. Most importantly, in my opinion, is the kindness he shows to everyone and puts out into the world. Stroff has told us that he has a master’s degree in social justice and multiculturalism education. This is evident because he is always celebrating other cultures through music and just being super understanding of people’s differences. He tells us to say at least one kind thing to us everyday. When us students are struggling, whether it be in class or in our life in general, he is patient and understanding. He goes out of his way to make sure we feel safe and welcomed.
Mr. Stroffolino is not only a great choral teacher, but he is a great person, too. His ability to connect with his students with thoughtful feedback and engaging conversation has given his students the rare opportunity to unveil talents that they never thought they had! I joined chamber choir because I loved to sing, but I wasn’t necessarily Mariah Carey, yet he embraced the talents I DID have and helped me grow as a singer and a person. Mr. Stroffolino has had an extremely positive influence on everyone he interacts with. He never fails to find brightness in the dark and consistently provides positive feedback to his students. Mr. Stroff makes a point to never shame students for their mistakes. Instead, he highlights things that the student is doing well and weaves his feedback and advice in with a wave of positivity. Also, Mr. Stroff manages to be a dad, father, marathon champion, choral director, orchestra director, (along with many other occupations).
At the beginning of his teaching career, Mr.Stroffolino took the Walter Panas Chamber Choir to NYSSMA Majors and got a bronze. After years of effort, and soo soooo many hours of practice and rehearsing, it brought him to yesterday: A gold with distinction (Highest award) at level 6 (highest level)!! Not just with one group, but also with the Bella Voce (Walter Panas Treble choir) which also went level 6! I’ve been in Mr.Stroffolino’s choir for 4 years now (I’m a senior) and if I’m being completely honest, his class got me through Covid. He doesn’t just teach us how to sing, he teaches us how to put emotion into what we sing, and actually feel what we sing. He also teaches us how to connect with others, that when we’re in a choir, we’re a family. He’s worked so hard to get to where he is today, and he’s pushed and encouraged us so much to get us to the level that we’re at today. I’m so honored to have been part of his class, and part of this family!
Thank you Mr.Stroffolino!!!
If there’s one teacher in the school who places the most importance on the success of their students, and lets nothing get in his way of making sure everyone uses the most of their talent and effort, it’s Mr. Stroffolino.
He is the most kind, caring, and hardworking teacher I have ever met. When he first started working at our high school, he brought his choral group to the NYSSMA majors festival and received bronze. Instead of giving up, he searched for solutions, utilized new techniques in his classroom, and helped lead his students up until this point. Yesterday, our chamber choir received a gold with distinction in our county at the NYSSMA majors festival. 15 minutes later, the treble choir group (Bella Voce) continued to receive another gold with distinction. He is the president of WCSMA, and a 78x marathon runner and was even selected to represent the USA in an overseas marathon. While doing all of this, he still manages to create a safe space for all of his students!
Mr.Stroffolino is the resident director and conductor of the Walter Panas High School Music Department. He has worked so incredibly hard for his entire career to raise awareness of music in the Lakeland Central School District, which is known for disregarding the arts. When he first started teaching and enrolled in NYSSMA Festivals, he was often defeated and longed to learn how to become a better conductor for his students. That was 16 years ago. Yesterday, our school hosted the NYSSMA festival for zone 17 of New York State, in which all of his work paid off because the Walter Panas High School Chamber Choir and Bella Voce (Treble-Choir) groups both received Gold with Distinction for their performances. All of these accomplishments are because of Mr. Stroffolino dedication to the arts. As a person, he is the kindest and sweetest person and educator I have ever met. He truly treats students as humans and treats us as his own child.
I am happily nominating Mr. Stroff. Mr. Stroff is one of the best teachers I have ever had and met. He is a gifted music teacher for both his Philharmonia Orchestra and choirs. His choirs recently won not one, but two of the highest awards (gold with distinction) at the New York State School Music Association Festival. He is careful, concise, and inspirational in his way of teaching and always looks out for his students’ best interests. He is not only an amazing teacher, but an amazing friend and person. He always supports us on our musical, academic, and personal journey of growth. Not only is he a fan of Eric Whitacre, but his students. Speaking for all of his students, we are and will always be grateful for Mr. Stroff and all he has taught us.
This man has made a huge impact in every student in the Walter Panas HS music department and never fails to make every student he comes across smile.
Timothy Morningstar
He is my current teacher at The State University of New York at Plattsburgh and is a staple of the music department! He runs both Concert Choir and Gospel Choir classes along with vocal lessons, and has helped me start to overcome a big challenge with my voice in just one semester. He is such a sweet and kind hearted soul, and connects to his students regularly because he truly cares about them. I wouldn’t be continuing in music if it weren’t for him. That is why I am nominating him as Teacher of the Week.
Terri Mathews
I am honored to nominate Ms. Mathews as teacher of the week. I have been one of her students for two years now and she has helped me to improve so much in that time. Not only is she an extremely talented musician, she is an amazing teacher. She truly cares for every one of her students, and sees the full potential in each and every one of us. After 38 years of teaching she is retiring this year, although we know this is going to be an amazing new chapter in her life she will definitely be missed by all of her students because she has truly made a difference in all of our lives. Also, she is a true Eric Whitacre fan. She often tells us of her time in the virtual choir, telling that the true meaning of being in a choir is unity. I speak for every one of her students when I say she has made a huge difference in not only our schools music department but in all of our lives. “Listen to the song that I sing, and trust me” Thank you for everything Ms. Mathews! ❤️
Terri Mathews
I am honored to nominate Ms. Mathews as teacher of the week. I have been one of her students for two years now and she has helped me to improve so much in that time. Not only is she an extremely talented musician, she is an amazing teacher. She truly cares for every one of her students, and sees the full potential in each and every one of us. After 38 years of teaching she is retiring this year, although we know this is going to be an amazing new chapter in her life she will definitely be missed by all of her students because she has truly made a difference in all of our lives. Also, she is a true Eric Whitacre fan. She often tells us of her time in the virtual choir, telling that the true meaning of being in a choir is unity. I speak for every one of her students when I say she has made a huge difference in not only our schools music department but in all of our lives. “Listen to the song that I sing, and trust me” Thank you for everything Ms. Matthews! ❤️
Hilary Morton
She is an outstanding teacher. She teaches things that most high school choir teachers don’t teach, like diction, ending consonants, intervals, and music theory. I don’t know what kind of choir student I’d be without her.
Angela Vaughn Hampton
Mrs Hampton has worked incredibly hard for Floyd Central High School’s choir and handbell program for 27 years. She is also the music director for the school’s theatre program, and their performance of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” has recently made it to nationals out of the 8 musicals selected from schools across the country. Her mixed choir is one of the top in the state of Indiana for many years, and has recently won 4th place in state this year. Her connections with other amazing programs and music directors has given her students many opportunities that no ordinary high school could offer. Ensembles under her direction have performed in Ireland, Austria, Canada, Orlando, New York, and more. The love she has for her choirs to put so much of her time and energy into it everyday is so appreciated and she knows very well that in the end its all worth it. She is so proud of what her students has accomplished and grown as a person. Thank you Mrs Hampton for everything you’ve done. 💖
Bob Demaree
Bob puts everything he can into his teaching and conducting, and creates such a safe and enjoyable environment for all of his students. I have learned so much from him, and wouldn’t be the musician I am today without his help. He is truly one of a kind, UW-Platteville is so lucky to have him!
Karen Whitaker
Karen, is my daughter. She is also a graduate of Marywood University. Following her graduation, she applied for and was accepted as Director of Music at Cocconino High School in Flagstaff,AZ. When she started the job, the previous director had destroyed the music program there and she had 11 or 12 kids show up for summer band camp. By the time the second week of school had started, word had gotten around to the other kids of the new band director and the number of the band had doubled.
She is finishing up her second year teaching there. She directs a full orchestra, a Symphony orchestra, marching and concert bands and a guitar class. Next year, the guitar class will be taken on by another teacher and she will be starting a choral program.
She is the most wonderful, caring person and music runs through her veins.
Alan Roberts
Mr. Roberts is quite literally the only teacher I’ve had who’s made every single day something to look forward to! His incredible passion for music is seen through his teaching in almost everything he does and is very easily spread to his students. He’s not only the best teacher I’ve had, but he’s one of my favorite people to simply exist! His kindness and compassion that’s shown to everyone he meets is unmatched. He is an absolute joy and is a light in so many students, teachers, and people’s lives. Mr. Roberts brings so many smiles to an uncountable amount of faces and deserves all the praise he can get. Having been taught by him is something I’ll truly treasure for the rest of my life. He’s taken a program that was not very recognized and not heavily participated in, to a program that holds multiple awards, is loved by the whole school, and has a sense of family like no other. It has been a privilege to be his student and I cannot give him enough thanks for everything he’s done.
Kristy Jung
I am nominating MS. Jung because she is more than a music teacher, she is like a mother to her students. MS. Hung helps changes the lives of her students through community and song learning.
Victoria Anne Graves
Victoria’s senior year as a Vocal/ Instrumental Music major at Texas A&M University Kingsville, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer one day, and was wheeled in for surgery the following morning. She was told not to expect to speak the same, much less sing in the coloratura Soprano voice she had developed. She fought her way back. It’s been beautiful watching her determination to make her life what she designed it to be.. a Music Teacher. She works with children and then adults who want to merge their voices together. She gives each day her best effort and finds joy in the hard work. She fought her way back to her voice as well. Those who know, marvel at the persistence and resilience of her spirit and love for the craft each time we hear her voice dance in the higher range. At school performances, her students each exhibit the discipline she instills, right along with a heart-touching love of their own musical performances.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 26
- →