For Immediate Release: November 10, 2011

 

Florida Music Educator Association Names BPS Principal 2012 FMEA Secondary Administrator of the Year

 

MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) Awards Committee has selected Robert E. Fish, principal of L. B. Johnson Middle School, as the 2012 FMEA Secondary Administrator of the Year.   The FMEA Awards and Recognition Program is one of the more visible ways in which FMEA can recognize those who make outstanding contributions to music education throughout the state. 

Fish stated, “I am honored to receive this recognition from the FMEA and recognize that the extraordinary quality of music instruction taking place at Johnson Middle School makes this possible. I am a firm believer that music is the core to academic achievement and the correlation between academic success and musical participation is undeniable. It is indeed a pleasure and honor to be associated with such talented musical instructors and to have the opportunity to support them in their programs.”

Fish is an avid supporter of the music department, which includes over half of the student body in band, chorus, and orchestra.  He has set a tone of success for musical achievement by giving financial support, scheduling flexibility and verbal encouragement to the school’s students, community and teachers.  The results are an environment where music education is valued and student achievement flourishes.  It is through this type of leadership that has enabled L.B. Johnson Middle School to maintain the Florida Music Demonstration School status since 2005.  

Teachers, Patti L. Peltz and Laura B. Singletary, nominated Robert E. Fish on behalf of L. B. Johnson Middle School.  There were many who “sang” Fish’s praises in letters of support submitted with the nomination.  Comments made by parents and students in their letters of support include, “Mr. Fish comes to hear our groups perform and always finds time to congratulate us when we are selected for special events like All State,” and “As a parent, Mr. Fish has been very supportive in finding a way to schedule my child for multiple music classes.” 

Fish will receive the FMEA Secondary Administrator of the Year Award during the FMEA Clinic/Conference at the Tampa Bay Convention Center in January.  An Awards Breakfast is planned for January 13, 2012 where he will be given this prestigious award. This make the seventh time an administrator from Brevard has won this title since the program began in 1990.

Fish graduated from Florida Technological University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, and earned his Master of Education with emphasis in Administration and Supervision from the University of Central Florida.  He began his career in education at Hoover Junior High School in Indialantic, Florida.

The mission of the Florida Music Educators Association is to promote a high quality music education for all Florida students. The Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) is a federated state unit of the MENC: The National Association for Music Education that requires concurrent membership and has as its primary purpose the advancement of music education in Florida.