Greenfield Junior High teacher honored by CMA Foundation
Superintendent Shane McCord recognizes Greenfield Junior High music teacher Sara Duce, center, at a Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board meeting for winning a 2025 Music Teacher of Excellence Award while Board Member Jill Humpherys looks on.
Courtesy Gilbert Public Schools
Sara Duce, a music strings and orchestra teacher at Greenfield Junior High School in Gilbert, has been named a 2025 Music Teacher of Excellence by the Country Music Association Foundation.
Duce is one of 30 educators nationwide selected for the honor, which recognizes excellence in instructional quality, innovation, leadership and student achievement. She is the only recipient from the Southwest region and only the second Arizona teacher to receive the award since the program began nine years ago.
Each honoree receives a $5,000 award, split evenly between personal use and classroom support. Duce said she plans to use the funds to upgrade instruments and bring guest artists into her classroom to expose students to a variety of musical genres.
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Education
Greenfield Junior High teacher honored by CMA Foundation
Courtesy Gilbert Public Schools
Superintendent Shane McCord recognizes Greenfield Junior High music teacher Sara Duce, center, at a Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board meeting for winning a 2025 Music Teacher of Excellence Award while Board Member Jill Humpherys looks on.
Sara Duce, a music strings and orchestra teacher at Greenfield Junior High School in Gilbert, has been named a 2025 Music Teacher of Excellence by the Country Music Association Foundation.
Duce is one of 30 educators nationwide selected for the honor, which recognizes excellence in instructional quality, innovation, leadership and student achievement. She is the only recipient from the Southwest region and only the second Arizona teacher to receive the award since the program began nine years ago.
Each honoree receives a $5,000 award, split evenly between personal use and classroom support. Duce said she plans to use the funds to upgrade instruments and bring guest artists into her classroom to expose students to a variety of musical genres.
The 2025 recipients were recently invited to Nashville for professional development sessions, a red-carpet event and a gala at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Honorees also received invitations to attend the Country Music Awards on Nov. 19.
“I was absolutely shocked and elated,” Duce said. “This is my 26th year building the strings program here at Greenfield Junior High, and to be seen and heard in this way by a national organization like the CMA Foundation is an incredible honor. I am so proud of our students for being willing to invest in a craft that takes hard work and time.”
Tiffany Kerns, executive director of the CMA Foundation, said the program aims to spotlight educators who make a lasting impact.
“Music Teachers of Excellence is about shining a light on educators who are transforming the lives of their students every single day,” Kerns said in a statement. “These teachers are leaders, mentors and changemakers, and they deserve to feel seen and uplifted by our music community.”
Duce credited her students, fellow educators and the school’s booster association for their support. She also acknowledged the contributions of feeder schools that prepare students to succeed in Greenfield’s music programs.
More information about music education at Greenfield Junior High and Gilbert Public Schools is available at GilbertSchools.net/Music.
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