Honor GRAMMY-Winning Educator

Senate Resolution No. 5059 BY: Senator KLEIN HONORING Melissa Salguero upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2018 GRAMMY Music Educator Award by The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to commend those illustrious mentors who distinguished themselves in their profession through both their talent and instruction, inspiring their students to achieve musical excellence; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Melissa Salguero upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2018 GRAMMY Music Educator Award by The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation; and WHEREAS, Established in 2008 as a partnership between the Recording Academy and AEG, the GRAMMY Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating a greater understanding of the history and significance of music; in 2017, the Museum integrated with its sister organization, the GRAMMY Foundation, to broaden the reach of its music education and preservation initiatives; and WHEREAS, The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators, teaching kindergarten through college, in both public and private schools, who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education, and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools; and WHEREAS, Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students' lives; Melissa Salguero is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and WHEREAS, Melissa Salguero earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of South Florida, and her Master of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport; and WHEREAS, Melissa Salguero began her distinguished teaching career as an instructor of a middle school band in South Florida; since 2010, she has been teaching music at P.S. 48 Joseph R. Drake Elementary School in the South Bronx, New York; she has built the music program from the ground up and has raised over $160,000 for her music program; and WHEREAS, For the last eight years, Melissa Salguero has strived to foster creativity, curiosity and a strong work ethic in her students through the power of music; and WHEREAS, In 2013, Melissa Salguero was honored as the Lincoln Center Arts Teacher of the Year; the following year, after P.S. 48 suffered a break-in, she was invited to represent the school on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", and was named a Semifinalst for the 2017 Music Educator Award; and WHEREAS, Melissa Salguero combines science and musical concepts by transforming her classroom into a Mad Scientist lab; she plans hands-on experiments in her lessons to demonstrate how science and music are related; her goal is to foster creativity, curiosity and a strong work ethic in her students through the power of music; and WHEREAS, This exceptional educator's classroom is a place where creativity, curiosity, humor, and hard work combine to create a passion for learning; she truly inspires her students and makes learning music fun, relatable and accessible to all; and WHEREAS, Melissa Salguero epitomizes the passion for music and love of teaching that characterizes thousands of music educators who make a difference in the lives of the children and youth of our country every day; her genuine love for what she does, and the mutual respect and admiration between her and her students, are evident in her teaching; and WHEREAS, Melissa Salguero serves as a mentor to all of her students, teaching them to work hard, dream big, and never give up; and WHEREAS, Throughout her career thus far, Melissa Salguero has brought an uncompromising standard of excellence to her work and a warm sense of caring and concern to every young person she educates; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Melissa Salguero upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2018 GRAMMY Music Educator Award by The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Melissa Salguero.