April 3, 2018
By KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT
Rutherford County Schools
Alexis Yatuzis-Derryberry is one of nearly 30 teachers from Tennessee to have been honored with the Music Teacher of Excellence Award by the Country Music Association Foundation.
This is the first year they have selected teachers from outside of the Nashville Public School System. Derryberry, who teaches at Lascassas Elementary School, is one of only 10 music teachers from outside of Nashville to have been given the award.
“Music education has proven to be an effective and invaluable tool or academic achievement and social development,” Tiffany Kerns, CMA Director of Community Outreach, was quoted saying in The Tennessean.
She added, “Being able to help celebrate the educators who spend their days shaping our youth and instilling a love for music is a true honor for the CMA Foundation.”
Rutherford County Schools fine arts coordinator, Lindsey Halford said the “criteria for being selected includes having above a 3 Level of effectiveness, having a video of one's teaching reviewed by a national panel and completing narrative responses.
The award includes $2,500 for music supplies at Derryberry’s school.
Derryberry — who is also a finalist to be the president-elect of the Tennessee Music Education Association — and the other music educators selected will be honored by the CMA at an upcoming banquet.