(ALBANY, NEW YORK) – The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Union is congratulating Rochester Teachers Association (RTA) Member Zachary Arenz, a Music Teacher at Flower City School Number 54, on being named the 2024 New York State Teacher of the Year by the state Board of Regents.

NYSUT also congratulated the Teacher of the Year Finalists: Jonathan Clemmons at Minisink Valley Middle School in Slate Hill; Ellen Foley at Wheelock Early Childhood Center in Fredonia; and Nichole Hantsch at Chenango Forks Middle School in Binghamton.

Arenz, who has taught vocal, general and instrumental music to students from elementary to high school in Rochester since 2013, was celebrated by the Board of Regents and NYSUT during the Regents’ meeting in Albany earlier this week.

Peers and administrators say Arenz “embodies the power of the arts” and call the scope of his impact on both school and community through his emphasis on restorative practices “immeasurable.”

Arenz says he has learned that “deliberate, hard and consistent work to support social and emotional well-being is a critical foundation for a well-rounded and rigorous academic culture” and sums up his teaching philosophy as “establishing places were folks feel safe, communication is encouraged and anyone is welcome to express their truest self.”

NYSUT President Melinda Person said: “Zach exemplifies the life-changing work our Teachers do every day, whether that’s guiding children and families through restorative practices, turning his classroom into a refuge where students feel supported or ensuring parents have the resources to engage with their kids’ learning.  The mark he is leaving in Rochester is inarguable proof that emphasizing the whole child is key to healthy students, public schools and communities. We are proud to congratulate him on this honor.”

NYSUT represents nearly 700,000 Members in education, human services and health care across New York State and is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA) and the AFL-CIO.

To Read This Labor News Report In Its Entirety, Go To: NYSUT congratulates Rochester’s Zachary Arenz as New York State’s 2024 Teacher of the Year

NYSUT Photo Courtesy Of Its Website.