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.