Oswego High School Band Director Recognized For Impact On Students

OSWEGO, IL — Oswego High School's band director has been recognized nationally for her "commitment and impact on the lives of students."

Stephanie San Roman is one of 30 music teachers to be awarded by the Nashville-based nonprofit Country Music Association. It's the seventh year the program has recognized educators make the greatest impact on their students through music, according to a news release.

San Roman is the only Illinois educator to earn this year's Music Teachers of Excellence. She joined the Oswego school in 2006 as an associate director and was promoted to director three years later.

Other honorees come from states including Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey and New York.

All 30 award winners will be celebrated at a ceremony Sept. 19 in Nashville. The organization will also give a total of $150,000 to all of this year's recipients. Half of each teacher's investment will go to their classroom needs and music programs, with the other half going to personal expenses, officials said.

"We could not be prouder to support these 30 incredible music teachers through the Music Teachers of Excellence program," Tiffany Kerns, executive director of the CMA, said in a statement. "We have seen first-hand how critical music education is to the success and well-being of students, and that starts with our music teachers. We are thrilled to welcome a new class of music teachers into this community, and we cannot wait to celebrate them on September 19!"