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Miami‑Dade board honors Grammy‑winning teacher, rookie teacher of the year and student leaders
Summary
The board used part of its March 11 meeting to recognize local achievements: band director Jennifer Jimenez was honored as a Recording Academy Music Educator Award winner, Christian Luciano was recognized as rookie teacher of the year, and student leaders were celebrated for athletics and extracurricular work.
The Miami‑Dade County School Board paused regular business March 11 to spotlight local educators and students.
Chair Maria Teresa Rojas presented resolution B3 honoring Jennifer Jimenez, South Miami Senior High’s band director, who received the 2026 Recording Academy Music Educator Award. United Teachers of Dade representative Mindy Grimes Festige thanked Jimenez for fundraising more than $84,000 for her program and for leading students to performances at Carnegie Hall and the Super Bowl. Jimenez thanked colleagues, administrators and parents for district support and said music education builds community and provides long‑term opportunity for students.
The board also approved resolution B4 recognizing Christian Jose Luciano as Miami‑Dade’s 2027 rookie teacher of the year for his work at Homestead Middle School; board members and the superintendent praised his classroom leadership and a reported 14 percentage‑point improvement on a civics assessment among his students. Separately, the board recognized student leaders including Evangeline Oden for athletic leadership and district advisory roles.
All recognition items were approved by voice vote and drew applause from colleagues, family members and students. Officials said the highlights underscore the district’s investment in arts, athletics and classroom mentorship.
