WELCOME TO THE CLASSIC FM MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARDS, CELEBRATING MUSIC TEACHERS ACROSS CENTRAL NEW YORK.

MUSIC EDUCATION PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN SCHOOLS AND IN THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN, NURTURING CREATIVITY, COGNITIVE SKILLS AND EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION.

AN ADEPT MUSIC TEACHER GOES BEYOND IMPARTING MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE.

THEY INSTILL CONFIDENCE, COOPERATION AND COMPASSION IN THEIR STUDENTS.

THIS HARMONIOUS BLEND OF TECHNICAL PROWESS AND LIFE SKILLS MAKES MUSIC EDUCATION A VITAL COMPONENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WELL ROUNDED ADULTS.

DURING THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, NINE HONOREE AS ROUND CENTRAL NEW YORK RECEIVED THE CLASSIC FM MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND DEDICATION TO MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS.

THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE NOMINATED BY THEIR STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES AND COMMUNITIES.

AND ALL OF US ARE THANKFUL FOR THEIR ROLE IN MOLDING CHILDREN'S HEARTS AND MINDS.

THESE ARE OUR TEACHERS AND THEY'RE SHAPING OUR FUTURE.

THE FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE CLASSIC FM MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD IN SEPTEMBER 2024 WAS DANIELLE RAUSA, CHORUS TEACHER AND DIRECTOR OF JAZZ ENSEMBLE AND JAZZ BAND AGENCIES ROW NORTH SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL.

>> WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN YOU HEARD Ms. RAUSA WON THE FM MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD?

>> I WAS NOT SURPRISED AT ALL.

I COULD NOT THINK OF ANYONE WHO DESERVED IT MORE THAN MISS RAUSA.

>> THAT'S WONDERFUL.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM HER THAT YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO PROBABLY CARRY WITH YOU, WHETHER YOU PASS IT ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE OR NOT, WHETHER YOU STAY IN MUSIC OR NOT, SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS GOING TO CARRY THAT YOU LEARNED FROM HER?

>> I'VE DEFINITELY LEARNED A LOT OF LIFE LESSONS FROM MISS RAUSA.

SHE IS THE ONE I GO TO FOR LITERALLY EVERYTHING.

>> WHAT IS SO SPECIAL FOR YOU ABOUT WORKING WITH THESE STUDENTS EVERY DAY?

>> I LOVE IT WHEN THE LIGHT BULB GOES.

WHEN THEY FINALLY HIT THAT BEAUTIFUL NOTE, WHEN THEY FINALLY REACH A GOAL, WHEN THEY FINALLY SING TOGETHER AND SOUND LIKE ONE BEAUTIFUL VOICE.

I LOVE TO WATCH THAT.

I LOVE TO WATCH THEM LEARN.

I LOVE TO WATCH THEM TAKE CHANCES.

I LOVE TO SEE THEM GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

THERE IS JUST SO MUCH.

SO MUCH.

>> WELL, I ASKED BROOK WHAT SHE HAS LEARNED FROM YOU THAT SHE IS GOING TAKE WITH HER.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR STUDENTS CARRY WITH THEM AS THEY LEAVE THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE?

>> I HOPE THEY'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER ME.

I HOPE THAT THEY'LL ALWAYS LOVE MUSIC NO MATTER WHAT THEY GO OUT AND DO.

IF THEY'RE GOING TO GO ON AND BE AN ENGINEER OR A BIOLOGIST, I HOPE THAT THEY STILL JOIN THE COMMUNITY CHOIR OR DO A COMMUNITY THEATER, SING IN THE CHURCH CHOIR.

I HOPE THAT THEY'RE ALWAYS GOING TO STAY INVOLVED IN MUSIC AND CARRY THAT LOVE THROUGH THEIR LIFE LIKE I DID.

AND I HOPE THEY ALWAYS LOOK AND FIND GLIMMERS IN LIFE EVERY DAY WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING SO WELL.

>> I HAVE ONE FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU BECAUSE THIS IS A WONDERFUL FORUM THAT WE HAVE.

TELL US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC AND ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS?

>> I DON'T THINK ENOUGH IS EVER SAID ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF IT.

IT'S THE REASON MOST OF THESE KIDS COME TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY.

IT'S THE THING THAT GETS THEM OUT OF BED AND INTO THE CLASSROOM, GETS THEM TO SCHOOL.

IT'S WHAT DRIVES THEM.

THEY LOVE DOING IT.

IT MAKES YOU SMARTER.

WE ALL KNOW THAT.

MUSIC MAKES YOU SMARTER.

BUT MORE THAN THAT, I THINK BROOK MENTIONED THAT YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY, YOU HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE.

AND WE HAVE KIDS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE INVOLVED IN ALL OF OUR PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS AT CNS AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM, WHAT YOUR PAST IS, YOU ARE WELCOME.

WE'LL FIND SOMETHING THAT YOU LOVE TO DO AND WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU A PLACE.

AND THAT'S WHAT MUSIC DOES.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO DANIELLE RAUSA.

OUR OCTOBER 2024 HONOREE WAS STEPHEN SALEM, SYMPHONIC BAND DIRECTOR AT LIVERPOOL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> IT'S ABOUT TIME.

HE DOES SO MUCH FOR US.

HE IS SO DESERVING OF IT.

I WAS NOT SHOCKED IN THE WAY LIKE I CAN'T BELIEVE HE GOT IT.

I WAS SHOCKED LIKE IT WAS HAPPENING AND IT WAS LIKE A SURPRISE FOR ALL OF US.

BUT FOR IT TO BE A SURPRISE FOR HIM AS WELL.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU GET TO EXPERIENCE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER.

SURPRISES DON'T REALLY HAPPEN LIKE THAT.

SO I WAS REALLY HAPPY-FOR-HIM.

>> WE WERE VERY HAPPY FOR HIM, TOO.

TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE YOU ARE A SENIOR.

YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT A LOT.

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT BEING PART OF A MUSIC PROGRAM LIKE THIS?

>> SO OBVIOUSLY Mr. SALEM IS A FANTASTIC MUSIC TEACHER.

THAT'S WHY HE IS HERE.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE.

BUT HE HAS REALLY TAUGHT ME HOW TO WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND GET TO KNOW PEOPLE ON A LEVEL THAT'S NOT JUST THEM AS A MUSICIAN AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT LIKE NO ONE CAN TEACH EXCEPT FOR HIM.

IT'S A GIFT AND WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO BE ON THE RECEIVING END OF THAT.

I GENUINELY DO NOT KNOW HOW I WOULD BE HERE WITHOUT HIM.

SHOUTOUT CHEF.

WE CALL HIM CHEF.

BUT, YEAH, BEING ABLE TO LIKE LEARN HOW TO WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE IS KIND OF A SURREAL CONCEPT AND GETTING TO HAVE SOMEONE AT MY HIGH SCHOOL WHO IS SO FLUENT IN DOING THAT IS VERY INCREDIBLE AND I'M VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED?

>> OH MY GOD, YES.

I TOLD THEM THIS THIS MORNING, I'M INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE TO BE PART OF THEIR JOURNEY ON THIS.

IT'S SO RARE IN OUR WORLD TO HAVE GOOD PEOPLE TOGETHER DOING GREAT THINGS.

AND THEY DO THIS EVERY MORNING OR EVERY OTHER MORNING WITH ME DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

THEY WOULD DO IT EVERY MORNING IF WE COULD FIGURE OUT OUR SCHEDULE F. WE COULD FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO THAT.

BUT WE WOULD GET IN TROUBLE FOR THAT.

>> WAS WOULD YOU LIKE THESE FOLKS TO TAKE WITH THEM AS THEY GO THROUGH LIFE?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE SURE YOU HAVE PASSED ON?

>> I'M GOING TO ECHO WHAT ELLIE SAID.

A BUNCH OF THEM ARE GOING TO GO OFF INTO MUSIC AND A BUNCH WILL NOT.

AND I DID NOT START THAT WAY.

I WANTED TO BECOME A DOCTOR AND SAVE, YOU KNOW, SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES WITH-- I WAS GOING TO BE LIKE A CARDIOLOGIST OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THEN I SOON REALIZED THAT MUSIC WAS, INSTEAD, KIND OF THE PLACE.

AND I FEEL LIKE THAT'S SAVING LIVES, TOO, BECAUSE WE ARE LEARNING HOW TO JUST ACT AS PEOPLE AND BE GOOD HUMANS SO THIS PLANET CAN KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

AND SO I KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS STUFF WITH THEM.

IT'S SO MUCH OF-- IT'S NOT NECESSARILY WHAT I SAY BUT WHAT WE DO, RIGHT?

IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP THESE PROGRAMS IN OUR DAYTIME SO WE TEACH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HOW THAT WORKS AND HOW TO APPRECIATE THAT.

IT'S JUST SO IMPORTANT, SO SPECIAL.

THANK YOU.

>> CONGRATULATIONS Mr. SALEM.

THE HONOREE FOR NOVEMBER 2024 WAS HOLLY McCOY.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TEACHER AND BAND DIRECTOR AT HENNINGER HIGH SCHOOL.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM Ms. McCOY THAT MAYBE WILL YOU TAKE WITH YOU INTO YOUR LATER STUDIES?

>> NOT TO GIVE UP.

SO IF YOU MESS UP THE FIRST TIME, YOU TRY AGAIN BUT NOT DOING IT EXACTLY AGAIN BECAUSE THEN THERE IS NO PROGRESS DOING IT BETTER.

>> AND AS LONG AS YOU ARE HERE, I HEARD RULE 9 AND RULE 10 MENTIONED BEFORE.

WOULD YOU TELL EVERYBODY WHAT RULE 9 AND RULE 10 ARE?

I LOVED THAT.

>> RULE NUMBER NINE WAS FIGURE IT OUT.

AND WHAT IS RULE 10?

WHAT IS RULE 10?

MAKE IT WORK.

>> THERE YOU GO.

WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN ALL THESE PEOPLE CAME IN AND INTERRUPTED YOUR CLASS?

>> I TRULY THOUGHT THEY WERE VISITING FROM THE STATE ED DEPARTMENT SO I WAS JUST LIKE COME ON IN AND WE'LL KEEP DOING OUR THING.

SO WHEN SHE-- WHEN DIANE CUT OFF MY STUDENT TEACHER AND STARTED SPEAKING, I WAS LIKE, NO, NO, THIS CAN'T BE.

SO IT WAS TRULY A SURPRISE.

>> WHAT GETS YOU UP IN THE MORNING?

WHAT DRIVES YOU?

WHAT GETS IT DONE?

>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT 'EM.

MY STUDENTS, MY CHILDREN.

THE OPPORTUNITIES LIKE VICTORIA REALLY STATED, I WANT TO PROVIDE THEM AS MUCH AS I POSSIBLY CAN.

I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED MUSIC WHILE I WAS GOING THROUGH ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.

AND WHEN I WENT INTO MUSIC EDUCATION, THAT WAS MY SOLE PURPOSE WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT I, THE STUDENTS I GOT PUT IN FRONT OF ENJOYED MUSIC AS MUCH AS I DID.

>> WHY IS MUSIC IMPORTANT IN THE SCHOOLS?

>> IT'S TRULY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT WELL ROUNDED STUDENT, NOT JUST ON THE ACADEMIC SIDE, BUT ALSO ON THE CREATIVE SIDE.

THEY CAN BE CREATIVE IN ACADEMIES, OF COURSE, THEIR ACADEMICS, BUT THE MUSIC PROVIDES THAT CHANCE TO GROW AS A STUDENT, GROW AS A GROUP.

MANY OF THE STUDENTS, YOU KNOW, THEY LIKE TO PLAY-- THEY DO SOLOS AND EVERYTHING, BUT THE TEAMWORK THAT THEY CREATE WHEN THEY'RE CREATING THIS MUSIC TOGETHER, WHEN THEY'RE PERFORMING, WHEN THEY'RE JUST PRACTICING TOGETHER AND THE CAMARADERIE IS SO IMPORTANT.

AND I THINK IT BRINGS THEM CLOSER BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING THEY TRULY ENJOY.

NOT THAT THEY DON'T ENJOY THEIR REGULAR ACADEMICS... [LAUGHTER] BUT I THINK IT'S TRULY IMPORTANT TO HAVE IT IN THE SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY CAN HAVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF WHEN THEY GET INTO THE REAL WORLD, BUT THEY MAY BE TOO BUSY TO DO THAT.

SO AT LEAST THEY HAD THE EXPERIENCE TO DO IT WHILE THEY WERE IN SCHOOL.

>> CONGRATULATIONS Ms. McCOY.

OUR JANUARY 2025 HONOREE WAS JOJO ANA CUFFS, VOCAL MUSIC TEACHER AT MORAVIA CENTRAL SCHOOL.

>> WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN SHE WON THIS AWARD.

>> IT WAS VERY DESERVED.

SHE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

SHE HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT HAS Ms. CUFFS TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU YOU WILL CARRY WITH YOU AFTER YOU GRADUATE.

>> THESE EXPERIENCES HAS MADE ME SERIOUSLY CONSIDER MUSIC EDUCATION AS MY CAREER.

I THINK THIS COULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REST OF MY LIFE.

>> WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN EVERYBODY BARGED INTO YOUR CLASSROOM?

>> I WAS CONFUSED AT FIRST AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT OBVIOUSLY I WAS VERY EXCITED.

IT WAS REALLY COOL.

>> WHAT IS IT THAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT COMING TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY AND WORKING WITH NOT JUST THIS GROUP BUT ALL THE GROUPS YOU WORK WITH?

>> HONESTLY THAT'S AN EASY QUESTION.

I GENUINELY THINK MY JOB IS REALLY FUN.

LIKE THERE ARE CHALLENGES, THERE ARE DAYS WHEN MY MIDDLE SCHOOLERS COME IN AND THEY'RE CRAZY, BUT IT JUST MAKES ME BE BETTER.

AND I'M JUST REALLY LUCKY.

I THINK I GET TO CONNECT WITH KIDS EVERY DAY.

THAT'S THE BEST THING.

LITTLE MOMENTS, THE KIDS THAT EACH LUNCH IN MY ROOM, THE EXPERIENCES I GET TO PROVIDE FOR THEM.

THE KIDS THAT COME BACK AND TELL ME STORIES OF HOW GOING TO SEE THIS SHOW OR BEING INVOLVED IN THE MUSICALS OR CHORUS IMPACTED THEIR LIVES.

I'M TIED TO MORAVIA AND I LOVE BEING THE MUSIC TEACHER.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO FIND OUT, BROOKLYN SAID YOU INSPIRED HER TO MAYBE GO INTO MUSIC EDUCATION IS THERE SOMETHING, WHETHER THEY GO INTO MUSIC OR MUSIC EDUCATION OR NOT-- THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU HOPE TO PASS ON TO YOUR STUDENTS THAT YOU HOPE THEY CARRY WITH THEM AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?

>> I GENUINELY WANT THEM TO HAVE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE.

I FEEL LIKE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY LIKE MORAVIA, IT'S NOT ABOUT GOING TO A PRESTIGIOUS COLLEGE AND BECOMING A SINGER OR NECESSARILY BEING A DIVISION ONE ATHLETE.

IT'S CREATING WELL ROUNDED KIDS I FEEL LIKE MY GOAL AS A MUSIC TEACHER HAS BEEN TO GIVE THEM A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, HOPE THAT THAT IS ONE PIECE THAT THEY TAKE WITH THEM AND WHEN THEY LEAVE MORAVIA, THEY FEEL WELL ROUNDED AND THAT I PROVIDED THEM WITH SOME POSITIVE, NOT JUST MUSIC BUT ALSO JUST LIFE SKILLS.

YOU KNOW, TEAMWORK, WORKING TOGETHER, ALL THE THINGS THAT COME WITH WORKING AS A GROUP.

>> I HAVE ONE LAST QUESTION FOR YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE A FANTASTIC PLATFORM HERE.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO FOLKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC AND ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS?

>> I ABSOLUTELY THINK IT'S ESSENTIAL.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THIS PARTICULAR GROUP THAT IS HERE, I THINK YOU SEE A LOT OF KIDS THAT ARE REALLY IMPACTED BY MUSIC.

THERE ARE KIDS IN THIS GROUP THAT MOVE TO THE DISTRICT AND, YOU KNOW, FOUND A HOME IN THE MUSIC CLASS.

THERE ARE KIDS THAT WHEN THEY CAME TO ME IN SIXTH GRADE MAYBE WEREN'T IN CHORUS AND THEN, YOU KNOW, FOUND A HOME.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU CAN FIND COMFORT, YOU CAN FIND JOY IN WAYS THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU CAN'T GET JUST FROM, YOU KNOW, SITTING THROUGH A 40 MINUTE REGULAR CLASS.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO Ms. KUFS.

OUR MARCH 2025 HONOREE WAS ELIZABETH BUELL, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TEACHER AND JAZZ BAND DIRECTOR AT ONONDAGA HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU HEARD MISS BUELL GOT THIS AWARD?

>> I WAS NOT SURPRISED.

SHE IS HONESTLY A GREAT TEACHER AND CLEARLY DESERVES IT.

>> WE THINK SO, TOO.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> >> OH YES.

I WAS EXTREMELY SURPRISED AND ELATED AND SHOCKED AND ALL OF THE THINGS, YES.

>> WELL, WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT COMING TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY AND WORKING WITH THESE KIDS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, AND TREY MENTIONED IT IN HIS COMMENTS.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT'S FUN.

WHAT I GET TO DO EVERY DAY.

I GET TO PLAY MUSIC WITH KIDS EVERY DAY.

IT IS SO FUN AND EXCITING AND EXHAUSTING BUT IT'S REALLY FUN AND PERFORMING IS FUN.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS THAT SHOW UP AND ARE READY TO LEARN, WANT TO LEARN, WANT TO BE PUSHED, WANT TO PERFORM, WANT TO SOUND GOOD, THERE IS NO BETTER JOB.

I HAVE THE BEST JOB IN SCHOOL.

THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

>> I THINK SO.

I'M BIASED BUT I DO THINK SO.

NOW I ASKED JACKSON AND TREY WHAT THEY LEARNED FROM YOU THAT THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO CARRY WITH THEM BUT WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THESE GUYS TO CARRY WITH THEM AS THEY CONTINUE ON?

>> SO MANY THINGS.

YOU KNOW, MUSIC IS AMAZING IN SO MANY WAYS.

AND THESE KIDS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN SKILLS, TO MAKE FRIENDS, TO DO SPECIAL THINGS, TO HAVE SPECIAL MOMENTS IN THEIR LIFE.

I WANT THEM TO KEEP GRABBING THOSE MOMENTS.

I WANT THEM TO BE PASSIONATE AND ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT SOMETHING, WHETHER IT'S MUSIC OR SOMETHING EVEN OUTSIDE OF MUSIC.

THE IDEA IS THAT MUSIC TEACHERS ARE TRYING TO SHARE OUR PASSION.

AND I THINK THESE GUYS KNOW I'M SERIOUS ABOUT THE MUSIC WE DO.

BUT IT IS FUN.

IT IS EXCITING.

IT IS WONDERFUL.

IT IS THOSE MOMENTS THAT MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING.

I WANT THEM TO HAVE THAT FEELING AND THAT SENSE, AS THEY MOVE FORWARD, IN WHATEVER THEY DO.

SO I THINK THAT'S THE MAIN LESSON THAT, LIVE PASSIONATELY.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE IF IT'S THIS, GREAT.

IF IT'S NOT THIS, GO FIND SOMETHING.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS BUELL.

>> THE HONOREE FOR FEBRUARY 2025 WAS VERONICA MAINVILLE, CORAL TEACHER AND DIRECTOR OF THE ANNUAL MUSIC AT PAUL V. MOORE HIGH SCHOOL.

>> WHAT IS THE THING YOU ARE GOING TAKE WITH YOU?

>> BEING WELCOMING TO MY STUDENTS, I HOPE TO BE JUST LIKE HER AND I JUST KNOW LIKE IF I EVER NEED SOMETHING, I CAN GO RIGHT TO Mrs. MAINVILLE FOR HELP WITH ANYTHING AND LIKE SHE IS JUST SO AMAZING.

LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, WELL WHAT WILL STICK WITH ME FOREVER, THESE STHAWL THINGS.

ONE DAY ME AND MY FRIEND HAD TO PRINT OUT ALL THESE AWARD THINGS AND WE WERE SWAMPED BECAUSE WE WERE STUDENT DIRECTORS FOR THE PLAY AND Mrs. MAINVILLE WAS LIKE DON'T WORRY.

CAN I HELP YOU GUYS.

I WILL PRINT THEM FOR YOU.

SHE WENT ALL AROUND THE SCHOOL LOOKING FOR A PRINTER TO PRINT THESE AWARDS OUT FOR US.

JUST LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT, JUST THAT HELPS EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE STUDENTS, ANYONE, NOT EVEN PEOPLE WHO TAKE CHORUS, SHE IS LIKE HELPING AND IT'S LIKE, I HOPE TO TAKE THAT AND LIKE MY FUTURE AND DO THE SAME FOR MY STUDENTS.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED?

>> VERY, VERY, VERY SURPRISED, YES.

>> I'M SURE YOU SAW MY REACTION, YES.

>> WE COULDN'T GET YOU CALM ENOUGH TO TALK.

>> YES.

I COULD BARELY BREATHE.

IT WAS QUITE A MORNING.

IT WAS A TOUGH TIME.

YOU WERE SO NICE ABOUT IT, TOO BECAUSE WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR REHEARSAL FOR-- WE HAD A PREVIEW THAT DAY AND SO IT WAS, FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, TOO, WAS VERY OVERWHELMING AND I THINK ALL MY EMOTIONS TOOK OVER.

>> TALK TO US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC AND ARTS IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> OH BOY.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALWAYS, IT SEEMS TO BE THAT WE ARE THE FIRST ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

AND TO THIS DAY, EVEN WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, IT WAS ALWAYS A THING THAT WE WERE NEVER-- WE ALWAYS SEEMED KIND OF SECOND TO THINGS LIKE ATHLETICS.

BUT YOU CAN SEE HOW MUSIC IMPROVES THEIR WELL-BEING AND IN AN AGE NOW WHERE WE ARE FINALLY TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS, MUSIC IS A HEALING PROPERTY, AND SO WHY WOULD WE WANT TO TAKE THAT?

AND THAT GOES FOR THE ARTS IN GENERAL, RIGHT?

LIKE THE KIDS THAT I SEE A LOT OF THEM ARE IN BAND AS WELL.

AND IT'S SO AMAZING TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM SWITCH FROM SINGING TO PLAYING PERCUSSION TO MARCHING ON THE FIELD IN FIELD BAND.

THESE ALL ENCOMPASS EVERY SUBJECT.

YOU'VE GOT ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS, EVEN WITH OUR OWN MUSICAL THIS YEAR.

IT'S GREEK MYTHOLOGY.

WE LEARN LANGUAGES FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

WE LEARN ABOUT SOCIAL STUDIES.

I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SO WE TALK ABOUT THAT, LIKE WHY DO WE SING THESE PIECES.

WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?

SO MUSIC ENCOMPASSES EVERYTHING.

SO WHY WOULD WE TAKE THAT AWAY?

THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

>> CONGRATULATIONS Ms. MAINVILLE.

OUR HONOREE FOR APRIL 2025 WAS BRIAN FRANCO, BAND DIRECTOR AND MUSIC AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY TEACHER AT SKANEATELES HIGH SCHOOL.

FIRST THINGS FIRST, CHARLOTTE, WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN YOU HEARD Mr. FRANCO WON THE AWARD?

>> I THOUGHT HE ABSOLUTELY DESERVED IT.

I DIDN'T THINK FOR A SECOND THAT HE DIDN'T.

I THINK THAT HE DOES A LOT OF GREAT THINGS FOR OUR DISTRICT AND FOR HIS STUDENTS AND I THINK THAT HE 100% DESERVES THIS AWARD.

>> IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM Mr. FRANCO THAT YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE WITH YOU AS YOU MOVE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND INTO COLLEGE AND BEYOND?

>> I THINK THAT Mr. FRANCO IS REALLY HEAVY ON ITS OKAY TO MAKE MISTAKES AND IF YOU MAKE MISTAKES, IT'S COMPLETELY NATURAL AND NORMAL, ESPECIALLY IN THEATER AND MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE.

IT'S A HUGE PART OF THE PROCESS.

AND I THINK THAT HE REALLY NORMALIZES IT AND DOESN'T MAKE ANYONE FEEL ASHAMED FOR MAKING MISTAKES, AS THEY SHOULD.

>> Mr. FRANCO AND THE OTHER TEACHERS MAKE IT A FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.

AND LIKE SOMETIMES EXTRA CURRICULARS CAN BE SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY SL TO DO IT.

HE MAKES US LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO IT.

WE ARE WELCOMES BY EVERYBODY.

>> MUSIC EXISTS FOR THOSE REASONS.

TO TEACH THESE VERY IMPORTANT SKILLS THAT I THINK WE NEED TO VALUE AND WE NEED WHETHER WE GO OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD, YOU KNOW.

SO, YOU KNOW, EMPATHY, COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION TEAMWORK ARE THINGS I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT AND I USE MUSIC TO TEACH THOSE THINGS THROUGH THAT LENS.

>> WHAT IS IT THAT YOU HOPE THE KIDS TAKE WITH THEM?

>> I HOPE THAT THEY LOOK BACK ON THE MEMORIES THAT THEY MAKE IN MY CLASSROOM AND IN THE DRAMA CLUB AS KIND OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE THEM EXCITED ABOUT SCHOOL, EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE MUSIC PROGRAM.

THINGS THAT MAKE THEM, YOU KNOW, ON A DAY THAT MAYBE ISN'T GOING SO WELL, THAT THEY CAN SAY, YOU KNOW, I HAVE DRAMA CLUB AFTER SCHOOL AND THAT'S GOING TO MAKE MY DAY BETTER.

I WANT THEM TO THINK OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE, YOU KNOW, ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE HERE RIGHT NOW, I HOPE AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE OUR STUDENTS FEEL SAFE, WELCOME AND ACCEPTED AND A PLACE THAT THEY WANT TO BE.

>> AND THE FINAL QUESTION I WANT TO ASK YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE PLATFORM HERE AND I LOVE TO GIVE TEACHERS THIS OPPORTUNITY.

TALK TO US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING MUSIC, KEEPING DRAMA IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> SO KIND OF TO GET BACK TO THAT FIRST QUESTION, YOU KNOW, THE IDEA, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE WOULD SAY MUSIC MAKES YOU GOOD AT MATH, MAKES YOU GOOD AT READING, ALL THOSE THINGS.

I THINK THOSE ARE PERIPHERAL, IF THOSE ARE TRUE.

TRULY MUSIC TEACHES REALLY IMPORTANT LIFE LONG SKILLS THAT STUDENTS NEED TO LEARN AND IT IS THE BEST VEHICLE TO TEACH THOSE THINGS.

IF YOU WANT YOUR STUDENTS TO LEARN COLLABORATION, THEY SHOULD TAKE MUSIC CLASSES.

NECESSITY BANT TO LEARN ABOUT HARD WORK, THEY SHOULD TAKE MUSIC CLASSES AND TEAMWORK, MUSIC CLASSES.

THESE ARE ALL SKILLS THAT MUSIC IS NATURALLY PROVIDING THESE STUDENTS AND THE IDEA THAT I THINK WE ALL AGREE ON, AND IN THE SKANEATELES COMMUNITY WE ARE BUILDING THOSE SKILLS WITH MUSIC AS THE VEHICLE BUT IT IS A NATURAL AND WONDERFUL VEHICLE TO TEACH ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

>> CONGRATULATIONS Mr. FRANCO.

IN MAY 2025, WE PRESENTED OUR FINAL CLASSIC FM MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR TO TWO TEACHERS, STEPHANIE ALMETER, CHORUS AND JEB GENERAL MUSIC TEACHER AND DAIRY FOSTER, BAND DIRECTOR, BOTH AT FULTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.

>> SO HERE IS THE TOUGH PART.

HOW DO WE CHOOSE BETWEEN PLZ ALMETER AND Ms. FOSTER?

SO WE WERE THINKING OF AN ARM WRESTLING MATCH.

DO YOU THIS I THAT WOULD WORK?

OR THUMB WRESTLING MATCH AT LEAST BECAUSE YOU GUYS CAN HIDE THAT IN THE BACK OF CLASS.

THEY CAN HIDE THAT BACK HERE.

YOU GUYS UP FOR ARM WRESTLING?

>> SURE.

>> OH MY GOODNESS.

THEY ARE.

WELL, WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO IS SOMETHING WE'VE NEVER, NEVER DONE BEFORE.

WE ARE HONORING TWO TEACHERS FOR OUR MAY CLASSIC FM MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARDS SO LET'S GIVE A HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR STEPHANIE ALMETER AND CARRIE FOSTER, OUR MAY HONOREES.

COME UP HERE.

[ APPLAUSE ] HOW DO YOU FEEL?

>> WE ARE INCREDIBLY HAPPY AND HONORED TO BE FINISHING OUR CAREERS TOGETHER.

WE LOVE THIS BUILDING.

WE LOVE THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE BOTH LOVE WHAT WE DO.

AND IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO WORK IN THIS MUSIC COMMUNITY FOR AS MANY YEARS AS WE HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO DO IT.

NOTICE I SAY WE BECAUSE WE KIND OF ARE A TEAM.

>> OH NO, TWINS HERE.

>> TWINS HERE.

WE STEPPED OVER HERE TOGETHER.

ACTUALLY I WAS SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR 25 YEARS AND WE STEPPED OVER HERE AND THIS IS OUR TENDS YEAR HERE.

I ENDED WITH AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS GROUP THAT, IF WE DIDN'T GET TO PLAY TODAY, WOULD BE VERY MAD SO I HOPE WE GOAT PLAY OUR TWO PIECES.

AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS COMMUNITY.

AND ACTUALLY WE ARE GOING THROUGH SOME TOUGH TIMES ACTUALLY IN THE BUDGET, AND I DID THAT IN PHOENIX AND GOT CUT AND HERE I AM.

SO THIS IS BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED.

>> YOU GUYS WILL GET THROUGH IT BEAUTIFULLY AND CONGRATULATIONS ON RETIRING AND A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL YEAR.

AND CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING OUR MAY HONOREES.

ONE MORE HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE, GUYS.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO Ms. ALMETER AND Ms. FOSTER.

MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS IS SO ESSENTIAL FOR STUDENTS, NOT ONLY TO BOLSTER THEIR KNOWLEDGES OF MUSIC AND TECHNIQUE BUT TO FOSTER THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH.

THANKS SO MUCH TO THOSE IN EDUCATION WHO KEEP MUSIC AND THE LOVE OF THE ARTS ALIVE AND THRIVING INTO THE NEXT GENERATION.

DO YOU KNOW A CENTRAL NEW YORK MUSIC EDUCATOR WHO IS PLAYING A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SHAPING YOUNG MINDS?

HELP US RECOGNIZE THEIR CONTRIBUTION.

YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR NOW.

AT WCNY.ORG/MUSICEDUCATOR.

CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN TO THIS YEAR'S HONOREES.