SCMEA seeks through its various awards, to honor, recognize, thank and encourage its award recipients and the general membership of the Association. This year’s class of recipients is no exception. To see these winners receive their award be sure to attend the General Session on Friday Feb. 5 at 9:30 am!
Young Music Educator Award
Brandon Sanders is the Director of Bands at Springfield Middle School in Fort Mill, SC where he teaches nearly 200 students, serves on the school improvement council, provides free lessons, and assists the marching band at Nation Ford High School. Previously, he taught four years at Chesterfield-Ruby Middle School (Chesterfield, SC) and was awarded Teacher of the Year, named a top 3 finalist for District Teacher of the Year, and assisted Chesterfield High Schools’ marching band.
Within six years of teaching, Brandon placed a copious amount of students in County, Region, and All-State honor bands. His ensembles also achieved consistent Superior ratings at Concert Band Performance Assessment while annually receiving the “Outstanding Performance Award” from the SC Band Directors Association (SCBDA). Additionally, Mr. Sanders chartered a Junior Modern Music Masters (Tri-M) Honor Society and led the students to win “National Chapter of the Year”. He also created a jazz band, “Big Band Brothers & Sisters” mentoring program, and was selected to be an honor band clinician for Richland County School District One, SCBDA Region 3, and Region 5.
Brandon is happily married to Adrienne, an elementary school teacher and former drum major who shares his passion for teaching and music.
Honor Administrator Award
Mr. LeRoy taught social studies for nine years at the high school level (one at Loris High School, seven at D.W. Daniel High School, and one at Seneca High School). His career has included coaching baseball (5 years) and football (fourteen years). The events that he is most proud of and learned the most from are the following: meeting and marrying his wife Felicia, the births of his two children Anne-Hamilton and Madelyn, receiving NBPTS Certification in Adolescent/Young Adult Social Studies, serving as an assistant coach on the 1998 AAA state champion football team, being named the SCSCA Middle School Principal of the year in 2009, teaching and leading thousands of super young people, being coached and led to the marvelous career of Educational Leadership by Dr. Valerie Truesdale, and being a part of the Seneca Middle School family for the past eleven years. Mr. LeRoy began his administrative career as an assistant principal at Seneca Middle School in 2004-2005 where he served under the leadership of Mr. Gene Williams and Dr. Kelly Pew. Mr. LeRoy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education (social studies) and his Masters of Education degree in Administration and Supervision from Clemson University. He received his Education Specialist degree from Arkansas State in Educational Leadership / Superintendency.
The music faculty of Seneca Middle School is thrilled that Mr. Al LeRoy is receiving the SCMEA Honor Administrator Award. We believe he deserves this award for allowing us to be the best music educators that we can be in a positive, supportive environment that centers around our students. In a time where music programs are being cut and high-stakes testing is in place, we at Seneca Middle School feel very fortunate to know that our programs are growing and thriving under supportive administrative leadership. We count it a great privilege and honor to work alongside Mr. LeRoy to educate young minds and create future musicians.
Deborah Smith Hoffman Mentor Award
Born in Columbia SC, Ray Doughty has been a music educator and arts education advocate throughout his professional career. He founded the instrumental and choral music programs at Southside High School in Florence, was the band director at TL Hanna and music teacher at West Market Elementary School while serving as the music coordinator for Anderson District Five. For five years he was the Music Consultant at the SC Department of Education and later was the first Project Director of the Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Project. In that capacity he led the development of the Curriculum Leadership in the Arts (CLIA). He has served SCMEA as Secretary, as chair of Public Relations and Government Relations Committees, and President of the Elementary Division. Mr. Doughty is a member of the South Carolina Music Educators Hall of Fame, and recipient of the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Arts in Education Award and the South Carolina Arts Alliance’s Scottie Award. Recently the SC Alliance for Arts Education established and awarded The Ray Doughty Arts Integration Award.