Florosa Elementary Music Teacher Sarah Theres has been selected as a 2024 Music Teacher of Excellence (MToE) by the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation.
- The announcement was made on Tuesday, May 7, during Teacher Appreciation Week, when Theres was surprised by a congratulatory video from Country artist Caitlyn Smith in the presence of her co-workers.
The CMA Foundation partnered with 30 Country Music stars to honor music teachers nationwide who demonstrate excellence in bringing high-quality music programming to their students and local communities.
As one of the 30 honorees, Theres will receive a $5,000 award, with half going towards her music classroom and the other half for personal use. She is also invited to attend a celebratory event at the historic Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville on Tuesday, September 17.
Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers expressed his gratitude to the CMA Foundation for recognizing the significant impact music teachers have on their students and communities. “Ms. Theres goes above and beyond to create a wonderful learning environment for her students, and I am thrilled that she has received this well-deserved honor,” Chambers said.
CMA Foundation Executive Director Tiffany Kerns emphasized the importance of celebrating these remarkable music educators.
- “These teachers consistently go above and beyond to build inclusive environments in their classrooms and communities, often removing barriers that prevent even just one student from participating in music education,” Kerns stated.
