Jared Tanner Named 'Outstanding Music Educator' of the Year

Liberty High School band and guitar teacher Jared Tanner’s favorite thing about teaching music is simply making music with his students every day.  Tanner is being celebrated as the Outstanding Music Educator of the year by the Eastshore Music Association. 

“So much is going on when we make music together. We connect. We learn about ourselves and each other,” Tanner said. “More than anything, it is fun.” 

He said he was flabbergasted and humbled when he found out that he was chosen for the award.  “To have such an excellent group of teachers recognize me for doing good work was special,” Tanner added. 

Liberty Principal Sean Martin described Tanner as a “tremendous” music teacher.  “In addition to developing and leading our highly successful band, jazz band, and guitar programs, Mr. Tanner consistently finds ways to bring the school closer together through music, and to strengthen our school culture as a whole,” Martin said. “When we were delivering remote instruction last year, he started a program called ‘Tunes with Tanner,’ where he and Liberty staff members recorded songs together, and shared these beautiful performances with the staff and the community. This was key to helping us to stay connected and uplifted through a very difficult time.  His calm and positive approach, and his deep compassion and care for students and for his colleagues are a joy to behold, and he is an incredible asset to Liberty High School!” 

Tanner also collaborated with music teachers from throughout the district to create special videos like “Lovely Day,” a project with Maywood Middle School choir teacher Robin Wood, Beaver Lake Middle School band teacher Michael Murphy, Challenger Elementary music teacher Kevin Proudfoot and Apollo Elementary music teacher Margaret Brinkerhoff.  

One of the people who nominated him for the award wrote: "He made training videos (and) assignments for students that he shared. Jared is always willing to make a quick how-to just for one teacher or meet to help fix your problems getting to know MusicFirst online classroom and more. He also made collaborative music videos with colleagues and sent them out to make us smile when we needed it most. His work with his band, jazz band and guitar students is amazing, too."  

Congratulations on your award, Mr. Tanner, and thank you for creating music with your students and colleagues to help inspire our Issaquah School District community!