The Music Education Alliance Advisory Board, Division Committees, and Administrators are proud to announce the 2026-2027 Dr. William P. Foster Award honorees.
The honorees will be acknowledged at the 2027 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, in Chicago, IL at a reception sponsored by the American School Band Directors Association, the College Band Directors National Association and Music for All. They will also be presented at the CBDNA Forum.
Additionally, will also receive supplies and resources courtesy of instrument manufacturers Yamaha, Conn-Selmer, and KHS America.
Congratulations to these outstanding teachers doing fantastic work in underserved communities!
Congratulations 2026-2027 Honorees
Dr. William P. Foster Distinguished Educator Awards
Eastern Division
James Verdone
Marlborough High School
Marlborough, Massachusetts
Northwest Division
Rachel Lake
Ilwaco High School
Ilwaco, Washington
Southern Division
Shelman Miller
Columbia High School
Huntsville, AL
Southwestern Division
Andrew Campo
Montezuma-Cortez Middle School
Cortez, CO
North Central Division
Jesse Miller
Whittier Middle School
Sioux Falls, SD
Western Division
Sarah Choi
Rubidoux High School
Jurupa Valley, CA
Congratulations 2025-2026 Honorees
Dr. William P. Foster Project Community Development Awards
Northwest Division:
Mr. David Stingley
Onalaska Middle School/High School
Onalaska, WA
Eastern Division:
Mr. Walter A. Harley
Oxon Hill High School
Oxon Hill, MD
North Central Division:
Mr. Shan Kazmi
Zion-Benton High School
Zion, IL
Southern Division:
Dr. Brendan Johnson
Darlington High School
Darlington, SC
Southwestern Division:
Ms. San Juanita Rodriguez
M.B. Lamar Middle School
Laredo, TX
Western Division:
Ms. Melissa Monique Romero
Gabrielino High School
San Gabriel, CA
Congratulations 2024-2025 Honorees
Dr. William P. Foster Project Community Development Awards
Northwest Division:
Mr. Jeff Chang
Decatur High School
Federal Way, WA
Eastern Division:
Dr. Oscar Petty Jr.
Cicely Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts High School
East Orange, NJ
North Central Division:
Mr. Tom Cox
Goshen High School
Goshen, IN
Southern Division:
Mr. Cedric Young
Westlake High School
Atlanta, GA
Southwestern Division:
Mr. Kuan Mitchell
Evan E. Worthing Early College High School
Houston, TX
Western Division:
Mr. Salvador Rodriguez
Issac Middle School
Phoenix, AZ
