Greenfield Junior High's Sara Duce has been honored with the O.M. Harsell Excellence in Teaching Music Award, a recognition that celebrates exceptional ability in music education.
Duce’s dedication and impact on her students and colleagues earned her this distinction, placing her among Arizona's most esteemed music teachers.
"It is a true privilege and an honor to receive this award,” Duce said in a release. “While my name is on it, this recognition is truly a testament to the hard work and dedication of my students. Their passion for music is what makes teaching so rewarding, and I'm grateful to share this honor with them."
Duce also adds that while the award itself does not come with a monetary prize, its recognition at the state level shines a spotlight on the thriving Greenfield Junior Orchestra program, whose students consistently achieve top ratings at state orchestra festivals.
Beyond traditional orchestra, Duce encourages her students to explore diverse musical landscapes.
As co-founder/co-director of the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, she fosters a spirit of collaboration, inspiring students to play various styles and experiment with music-making. This has led the Gilbert Town Fiddlers to present and perform at state and national conferences, including the Arizona Music Educators Conference and the National String Teachers Conferences.
Additionally, Duce’s passion for creative music-making led to the creation of an elective at Greenfield Junior High where students craft original arrangements of folk and pop tunes.
"I love teaching in Gilbert because of the incredible community support of music education," Duce said. "There is a reason that I have been at the same school for 25 years; the families here are wonderful."
Having been named the Best Community For Music Education for the past five years, GPS teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders have worked to make music a key component of a well-rounded education. Those interested in learning more about music education can visit www.GilbertSchools.net/Student-Life/Music-Education.
