Sara Duce, a music strings and orchestra teacher at Greenfield Junior High School in Gilbert, has been named a 2025 Music Teacher of Excellence by the Country Music Association Foundation.

Duce is one of 30 educators nationwide selected for the honor, which recognizes excellence in instructional quality, innovation, leadership and student achievement. She is the only recipient from the Southwest region and only the second Arizona teacher to receive the award since the program began nine years ago.

Each honoree receives a $5,000 award, split evenly between personal use and classroom support. Duce said she plans to use the funds to upgrade instruments and bring guest artists into her classroom to expose students to a variety of musical genres.

The 2025 recipients were recently invited to

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