Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Week: Price
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MEDINA, Tenn. — Introducing this week’s Educator of the Week presented by the Tennessee Education Lottery. This week’s winner comes to us from South Gibson County High School in Medina. Stephen Price says the key to hitting the perfect musical note in his classroom comes with the use of lifelong lessons and the sense of a team environment. “It’s really seeing the students succeed,” Price said. “Especially with a marching band, and seeing them being able perform in front of thousands of people if not hundreds of people.” Price has been filling the air beneath the “Friday Night Lights” with music for several years. He is a true product of West Tennessee, graduating from South Side High School and the University of Tennessee at Martin. Price is also the band director at the middle school where he teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th-graders. This allows his students to make the transition a lot easier. “From South Side, I had Eric Williams who was my band director,” Price said. “He was a great guy who really inspired me.” “My first job was actually when Liberty High School opened up in Jackson. I was the assistant band director under Karen Henning who just taught me everything and was one of the best mentors I have ever had.” Price said. Price says the job has its challenges because some classes are large and some kids can lose focus based on distractions they may deal with outside of the classroom. “Band is not all that these kids do. Sometimes things that happen in other classes other parts of their lives affects their focus,” Price said. “I try to teach them professionalism. You know, leave all that out there. Focus on what you’re doing right here.” “There is also a lot of kids in these classes who have a strong passion, but sometimes it’s a challenge to spend one-on-one time with them to fix an issue that they may have,” Price said. “I try to do my best though in offering as much help as possible and as much of my time as possible to get them to succeed.” Price says the use of empowering students with self motivation and responsibility enhances their success to become better professionals. “I want them to keep playing their instruments,” Price said. “There is a lot of community bands, a great community band in Jackson. There’s some around Weakley and Gibson County. Keep that instrument playing whether you’re a lawyer, doctor or whatever. Keep that music going in their lives.” Price will be eligible for the state-wide Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award. To vote for her or any of the other nominees, go to seehowitaddsup.com. To nominate a teacher for our weekly award, you can email us at educator@wbbjtv.com.
