Vestavia East Music Teacher Receives State Award

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — Being a teacher is often a thankless job, and too often great teachers go unrecognized for their excellence. This is not the case with Vestavia East Elementary music teacher Deanna Bell, who was recently the recipient of an award from the Alabama Music Educators Association.

Bell was named as the 2020 recipient of the Lacey Powell Outstanding Music Educator Award, an award she will receive during the annual AMEA Professional Development Conference in January.

The award “recognizes innovative leaders who set high standards for our profession and offer inspiration and direction,” according to a letter from AMEA.

Bell is no stranger to accolades. Last year, she was named a finalist for the 2019 Grammy Music Educator Award. Bell was also named Vestavia Hills City Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year during the 2016-17 school year.

Bell has taught at Vestavia Hills Elementary East since 2013. During her tenure she has focused on technological innovation in music education through the implementation of Percussa AudioCubes, which enable students to compose music in real-time through the manipulation of small cubes connected to a synthesizer.