Caddo Middle Magnet Teacher Named Semifinalist for Grammy Educator Award

Caddo Middle Magnet music teacher Krista Fanning has once again been named one of 25 semifinalists for the Music Educator Award from the Grammy Foundation.

She was chosen from a group of over 7,000 initial nominations and is one of four teachers returning to the semifinals after last year's competition.

"It's incredible to get nominated once by your students, much less twice," Fanning said in a Caddo Public Schools news release. "It's slightly overwhelming to know you have students that think enough of you to take the time to nominate you for something like this."

The 25-year music education veteran is described by her students and principal as energetic, uplifting and passionate. Fanning teaches band as well as beginning and intermediate guitar.

"She has a true love for what she does and it shows," said Caddo Middle Magnet Principal Robin Debusk. "She is able to reach so many students. She gets here early every morning and has kids in her room practicing and it doesn't stop there. They come in between classes, during lunch and other times to see her and to get in more practice time with her."

One recipient is selected from 10 finalists each year for the Music Educator Award. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the Grammy Awards ceremony and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The other finalists get $1,000 honorariums, plus matching grants for their schools.

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators 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 their schools. Finalists will be announced in December.