The Anaheim, California, superintendent received the 18th annual Save The Music Foundation Award for outstanding support of music education.
A reward was awarded. At the AASA National Conference, Christopher Downing, superintendent of the Anaheim Elementary School District (AESD) in Anaheim, California, has been named the 2023 recipient of the Save The Music Foundation’s (STM) 18th annual Administrator Award for Exceptional Support of Music Education.
This prestigious award was presented during the AASA, The School Superintendents Association, National Conference on Education.
This award is given to a superintendent or chief executive officer of a school district who has shown exceptional dedication to revitalizing music education in their jurisdiction. Downing was chosen for his consistent dedication to providing a well-rounded curriculum that includes music to students around Anaheim.
According to Dr. Downing, it would be an understatement to claim that music education has revolutionized students in our district. “It is an utter joy for me to accept this distinction on behalf of our Board of Education’s executives, instructors, parents, and beautiful youngsters. Because of music, our children are more enthused about going to school. Music is important for their social and emotional development since it allows them to express themselves and communicate with others. Also, music education makes parents happy since it provides their children with chances that they would not have otherwise.
STM has supported the Anaheim Elementary School District in reestablishing comprehensive music teaching across the district since 2015, with contributions totaling $850,000 for band and elementary musical instrument grant programs, music teacher professional development, and ongoing program support. The motivating force behind this project is the strategic engagement with Downing, which has committed to ensuring that every kid in the district has equitable access to music education taught by qualified instructors as part of the regular school day.
Jaclyn Rudderow, Save The Music Foundation’s senior director of school programming, stated that Anaheim Superintendent Downing “has been a champion of music teaching for all primary kids in Anaheim.” “Save The Music is pleased to honor him on a national level for his leadership and vision in providing all AESD children with a rich and thorough music education.”
AESD students get weekly music instruction from qualified music teachers during the school day at each of its 24 school sites. The district continues to extend opportunities for children to participate in music and art teaching that symbolizes their cultural roots through the state of California’s Expanded Opportunities Program and its long-standing collaboration with Save The Music Foundation.
Nancy Sarra, superintendent of the Consolidated School District of New Britain (Connecticut), Kevin George, superintendent of the St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools (Louisiana), Leon Rogers, superintendent of the Newark Public Schools (New Jersey), Keely Roberts, superintendent of the Zion Elementary District 6 (Illinois), Francisco Escobedo, superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (Calif.), R. (N.Y.).
The American School Superintendents Association’s National Conference on Education, widely regarded as the most comprehensive professional development and networking opportunity for school superintendents and administrators, addresses the most pressing issues confronting public education today, such as managing the COVID-19 pandemic, wellness, equity in education, social and emotional learning, personalizing education, technology, and school safety.
