Texas educator and bandleader Stephen Cox fell in love with instructing for the way particular it’s when a pupil learns one thing new. Now — 10 years after becoming a member of the small district residence to Eastland Excessive College as the college’s band director — he is been named the recipient of the 2022 Grammy Music Educator Award.
“I fell in love with it. I preferred the concept that everytime you sit down and you’re employed with somebody they usually go away they usually’re higher. It is stunning. Instructing is gorgeous,” Cox advised CBS Information’ Jamie Wax.
His teachings by no means left some former college students who stated they nonetheless attain out to Cox for assist.
“Now that I am a band director myself I am always calling him or texting him and getting recommendation on issues. He is only a wellspring of information so far as band administrators. So, I might say as soon as a pupil, at all times a pupil, for certain,” Cody Hutcheson stated.
His college students say it is how Cox goes past the classroom that makes him particular.
“I really feel a accountability to them. I hope that what it means to them is that they know that I really like them unconditionally and that, regardless of how loopy issues get, so long as they wish to transfer ahead. I am at all times going to be proper there subsequent to them to assist them do it,” Cox stated.
Outdoors of faculty, Cox created the Eastland Jazz Competition, a part of his dedication to the humanities all through the group.
“What’s particular about Eastland is the folks, proper? It is the folks. It is the scholars. It is the opposite lecturers. It is folks locally,” he stated.
He stated he sees faculty and group as the identical — and his dedication to each comes with a singular focus.
“The mission is the youngsters. The mission is ensuring they’ve what they want to decide on their path and when you’re ready to decide on your path, I imply, the sky is the restrict, proper?” he stated.
Cox was chosen out of 1,135 preliminary nominations submissions from 49 states.
