Woodruff Honors Fayette County Teacher

A Fayette County band director who has devoted over 20 years to music education in Georgia has been named one of five 2009-2010 honorees for Woodruff Salutes Georgia Arts in Education Leaders.

Ricky Williams, who has been the band director at Bennett’s Mill Middle since it opened in 2007, was nominated for the honor by the school’s band parents. The purpose of the Woodruff Arts Center’s program is to honor teachers, school and arts administrators, community leaders and volunteers throughout Georgia, who have championed and demonstrated the ability of the arts to positively impact the lives and learning of young people in grades Pre-K through 12.

Williams demands hard work, discipline, and teamwork, and holds students to a high standard. He strongly encourages all students to take private lessons and has established a Private Lesson Academy at the school to make lessons more accessible to students. Williams also started the tradition of a Sixth Grade Honor Band, allowing talented band students the opportunity to work with an outside director and perform with a group of students at a high level. He finds opportunities for his band to perform in the community and competitively, having won many awards and honors in a very short time.

“Mr. Williams has dedicated his career to providing top quality music education to students in the state of Georgia. He demands a high level of discipline and strong work ethic from his students, and these are skills that serve his students well, not only in music but in whatever their future may hold,” says parent Lorrie Buchanan.

The Woodruff Arts Center will contribute $2,500 in Williams’ honor to an arts-in-education program of his choice. A celebration for this year’s honorees will be held at the Woodruff Arts Center in May.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage