Rio Rancho music educators, district earn statewide recognition from NMMEA
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Summary
The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education honored two district music teachers — Daniel Holmes and Donna Schmidt — and accepted word that the district received a 2026 certificate of recognition from the New Mexico Music Educators Association.
The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education on Sept. 22 honored two district music teachers and noted the district received a statewide certificate of recognition for sustained excellence in music education. Superintendent Dr. Lisa Cleveland opened the board’s remarks by saying the night would be a fine-arts celebration and that the awards recognize “a consistent level of excellence in music education and student performance.”
The board and district staff recognized Daniel Holmes, director of bands at Cleveland High School, as the New Mexico Music Educators Association (NMMEA) 2026 Music Educator of the Year. Kurt Schmidt, the district’s executive director for fine arts, said Holmes is in his eighth year at Cleveland and his 16th year teaching. Holmes told the board he sees the award as “a celebration of our musical community at Cleveland High School and with Rio Rancho Public Schools.”
The board also honored Donna Schmidt, band director at Rio Rancho Middle School, who was inducted into the NMMEA Hall of Fame. Kurt Schmidt said the Hall of Fame honor recognizes long-term statewide contributions. Donna Schmidt thanked colleagues and students and said she was “very grateful for this recognition.”
Kurt Schmidt presented the district-level award: NMMEA’s 2026 certificate of recognition for the district’s sustained commitment to music programs. Schmidt noted Rio Rancho has received this district-level recognition multiple times (2012, 2013, 2021) and other NMMEA distinctions, which he said demonstrates “the history of dedication our district has made since its inception not only to music but to all the arts.”
Board members and the superintendent spoke in praise of the teachers’ work in classrooms and performances. No formal board action (motion or vote) was required for the commendations; the recognitions were presented as part of the meeting’s commendations and reports.
The board asked staff to share congratulations with the fine-arts staff and to circulate details of the honors to the community.
