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FSU Alumna Vivian Ventura Named 2026 Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year

The Florida State University College of Music proudly celebrates alumna Vivian Ventura for being named the 2026 Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Ventura, an accomplished violinist and dedicated music educator, earned her Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from FSU in 2003 and is currently pursuing her Master of Music Education (MME) at FSU. She teaches orchestra at Southwood Middle School, where she has inspired students for over two decades.

Ventura was honored at the Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year ceremony on January 28, 2025, where she received a 2025 Toyota Corolla, a $3,500 cash prize, and recognition for her outstanding contributions to music education (Miami Herald). During her acceptance speech, she spoke passionately about her belief in public education, stating, “I believe in public schools, I am going to fight for you in every way that I can.”

Throughout her career, Ventura has been dedicated to enriching her students’ musical experiences. She transformed a neglected piano lab into a fully functional space for music composition and raised funds to replace aging instrument lockers at Southwood Middle School (Miami Herald). Her students have consistently achieved superior ratings in District Music Performance Assessments, and some have gone on to study at prestigious institutions such as the Juilliard School and perform in productions like Hamilton (NBC Miami).

In an interview with NBC6, Ventura emphasized the impact of music education on students’ personal and academic growth: “If you really want kids to succeed, put ’em in music… They can use what they learn in music and apply it to everything that they do.” She also reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for music programs, stating, “I truly believe that we must fight for music education” (NBC Miami).

Ventura’s recognition as Teacher of the Year is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her students and the transformative power of music education. The FSU College of Music is proud to count her among its esteemed alumni and applauds her continued efforts to inspire the next generation of musicians.


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