2008 Jazzy Music Teacher Winner!

The sounds of saxophonist Mark Gross echoed through the hallways of Union Valley Elementary School in Sicklerville, NJ as he led an entourage of jazz folk to surprise and honor the winning teacher and student of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and WGBO.org/88.3 FM's Jazziest Teacher Contest.

As Mark walked down the hallway, coming towards him were the excited winning kids. It's the first year in which an entire class plus two enthusiastic second graders sent in a winning nomination.

The class letters honored and recommended Elementary School music teacher Tamah Freni and were selected from over 300 essays submitted by students from all over New Jersey.

Mrs. Freni was in a classroom rehearsing another group for a school musical when the door opened and in marched the musical parade of winning students led by Mark Gross. Mrs. Freni's husband was in on the surprise in advance, and brought their children to share in the day's festivities.

Her surprise and delight were obvious as she was awarded a certificate, a WBGO hoodie and CDs by WBGO Morning Jazz host Gary Walker and NJEA officials.

For being selected the Jazziest Teacher Mrs. Freni will also have the opportunity be a guest host for an hour on Walker's radio program, where she will be able to play her favorite jazz tunes and talk about teaching music to the worldwide listening audience. For winning, the children received WBGO light pens and the entire school will receive a free jazz concert this May.

The students praised Mrs. Freni for her creative ways of teaching music, inspiring them and making it fun:

"Everytime we need to get tested, Mrs. Freni gives us a string color, just like in karate."

"I wish we would never have to leave music class."

"If I were you, I would try to get lessons with Mrs. Freni because she is one of the best teachers I ever been with in my life."

"When we have to sing it doesn't matter if you are a rock star or a cat howling in the night, we are still all made to feel special."

"Mrs. Freni has showed me that there is more to music than the tunes on my iPod."

The fifth graders had been given an English assignment to write a persuasive essay and were encouraged by English teacher Janine Logan to enter the NJEA Jazzy Music Teacher contest as a group. Two second graders, hearing of the contest, also sent in entries on their own, describing their music classes with Mrs. Freni as "fun and easy, like eating a giant piece of cake."

In addition to school concerts, Mrs. Freni also has after school music clubs to help the children practice on their instruments.

The Jazzy Music Teacher Contest is a partnership of NJEA and WBGO to promote the importance of music and the arts in public education. As school districts seek ways to trim their budgets, NJEA and WBGO believe a well-rounded education must include music and arts programs.

"Programs like music in particular and art really enrich a child's love of learning and can provide them the resources that they need in other areas of their lives," said Kathryn Coulibaly Associate Director for Public Relations at NJEA. "We are pleased to promote and highlight this kind of excellence in education."