Oneco Music Teacher Named Manatee Educator of the Year

BRADENTON -- Dr. Zadda Bazzy was awarded the prestigious Educator of the Year Award at the Manatee School District EdVantage Education Awards, held at the new main campus of the Manatee Technical Institute earlier this week. Bazzy teaches K-5 music at Oneco Elementary School. She has been involved in the creation of the Performing Fine Arts Assessment of Florida, a standardized music assessment created with ‘Race to the Top’ funding support.” The District also awarded Todd Persinger, Head Custodian of Anna Maria Elementary its Support Employee of the Year.

Dr. Zadda Bazzy

Dr. Bazzy says her goal is to help students achieve their potential not only in music, but also in all academic areas and life skills. She structures lessons using a gradual-release model so students can successfully complete tasks independently. Although standardized music assessment is not used in the state of Florida at this time, Dr. Bazzy collaborates with other music teachers to create valid and reliable assessments for her students.

Under Dr. Bazzy's direction, Oneco Elementary students have been chosen for the All-State Chorus; and ensembles from Oneco Elementary have been asked to perform at district and state levels. She shares class progress with families and the school community by writing in the school newsletter each month, and parents and families are encouraged to participate in the learning experience by observing classes, participating in family music-making events and attending student performances.

Bazzy is currently the Project STAGE Mentor Teacher for Oneco Elementary. At the district level, she serves on both the Music Leadership Team and the Manatee Core Curriculum Design Team. In 2010, she completed her PhD. in Music Education.

Todd Persinger is the head custodian at Anna Maria Elementary. He was nominated for the support award by the school's principal, David Marshall, who called him the kind of employee you want every student parent and employee to come in contact with. "He is a shining example of an employee that loves his job," said Marshall, "and everyone around him is positively impacted through his work ethic and relationship skills.”

Bazzy was given a 2013 Toyota Prius in honor of her selection and now goes on to the Florida Department of Education's Employee of the Year contest. Persinger was awarded a $5,000 savings account and advances to the support employee of the year contest. TBT salutes both for their hard work and dedication.