This year the New York City Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with The Fund for Public Schools and Lincoln Center, launched the inaugural Big Apple Awards to recognize teacher excellence across the city. Melissa Salguero, a general music and band instructor at Education Through Music (ETM) partner school PS 48 in the Bronx, was selected as one of eleven teachers for her outstanding service and commitment as an arts educator.
ETM has partnered with PS 48 since 2010 when ETM first placed Ms. Salguero there as a general music teacher. As part of our model, ETM recruits, hires and trains qualified music teachers like Ms. Salguero, and places them at partner schools to implement and develop a skills- and standards-based curriculum. ETM also works closely with school leadership to build capacity and support for their music programs, and to develop long-term planning to hire music teachers to staff. A great fit at PS 48, Ms. Salguero was hired by the DOE to the full-time school staff in 2012 – exemplifying the potential of the ETM model and benefits of music education on school communities.
Ms. Salguero was chosen as the recipient of the Big Apple’s Lincoln Center-sponsored Arts Teacher Award after a rigorous application process consisting of a community nomination, principal recommendation, personal essay and classroom observation. On June 11th, Ms. Salguero was honored by Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott at the Big Apple Award Ceremony held at Gracie Mansion. Ms. Salguero was awarded a $3,500 classroom grant to help deepen her work. She will also serve as a program ambassador for the upcoming school year and participate in ongoing dialogue regarding excellence in the classroom. Congratulations, Ms. Salguero and PS 48!
Photo Credit: Jen Soter
*In part, this text is drawn from the press release issued by the Mayor’s office and NYCDOE.
