SOUTH MIAMI, FLA. (WSVN) - South Miami Senior High School rolled out the red carpet for one of its teachers who returned to class a Grammy winner.
Cheerleaders and the school’s band lined the school’s entrance and hallway as they welcomed Ms. Jennifer Jimenez, Tuesday morning.
The music teacher was absolutely shocked to see this pep rally for herself. She said she’s used to organizing all the school pep rallies, so this was a nice surprise for her.
The superstar treatment comes just over a week after Jimenez was honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
She was flown out to Los Angeles, where she was recognized during the televised show,.
Trevor Noah, this year’s host, mentioned the South Florida educator during the Feb. 1 ceremony.
“It is my pleasure to acknowledge our Music Educator of the Year: Jennifer Jimenez, director of bands and elective department chair at South Miami Senior High,” he said.
Jimenez, who has served as South Miami Senior High’s band director for 19 years, was stunned to learn that she was among the people nominated for prestigious award.
She was chosen for the honor out of 2,000 applicants. The award acknowledges the winner for making a significant and lasting contribution to music education in schools.
It’s something that Jimenez’s students said is exactly what she has done for them.
“I think a lot of students get out of high school, and they don’t have that certain type of work ethic yet, and I think, because of this program, I’ve learned that that’s extremely important and not procrastinating on things and staying on top of everything,” said student Izabella Tapanes.
Back in December, Jimenez told 7News that the national recognition is great, but she isn’t doing this for her. She is doing this for her students, and her goal is to shine a spotlight on Miami-Dade County’s music scene.
“It was a dream I never knew I had. I never went into education expecting to be nominated for a Grammy or any of those things,” she said. “We just teach ’cause we love music, and we love kids.”
It’s clear Jimenez’s students love her right back. Video provided by Miami-Dade County Public Schools captured the moment her band students erupted in cheers when they learned she won the Grammy.
“We all know how hard she works and how much she deserves it,” said Tapanes.
“Honestly, I cried. It was happy tears. I was so proud of her,” said student Alisson Martinez.
Inside the classroom, Jimenez doesn’t miss a beat, constantly fine-tuning and guiding her student musicians.
“I’m the band captain here, and it’s a lot on me, but she just knows when to be like, ‘Hey, it’s OK, calm down, like, you got this, you’re good, and we’re going to do this together, and I’m here, I’m here for you,'” said Martinez.
It’s that attention to detail that led Jimenez to be nationally recognized.
“It’s a huge honor. I’m really grateful to have the platform so that people can see our community, to hopefully continue to impact change,” she said.
And Jimenez said this Grammy is for her students.
“My goal with these guys is never to make them, unless they want to be, professional musicians or music teachers,” she said. “My goal is to use the arts as the tool to get them to wherever they want to be, because the skills we learn here — you know, the leadership and the dedication, persevering through the hard things, even when you don’t want to do it — is something that translates to jobs.”
As for Jimenez’s students, they said she’s been a winner all along.
“She’s a mother figure to me. Like, to me, she’s my second mother, and she has helped me a lot, not just through music but, like, personally,” said Martinez.
“Even in, like, the most minor facial expressions, she knows when something’s wrong with us, and she asks us about it, so it’s even, like, those little things that makes us so much closer to her,” said Tapanes.
As to what’s next, Jimenez said she is just ready to get back to work and help prepare her students for the upcoming shows.
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