The Oswego Middle School Spring Concert regularly highlights seventh- and eighth-grade student musicians, but, Wednesday, another special person was placed in the spotlight.

The concert came to a brief halt as strings orchestra director Deb Mazurek was recognized as a “Kids Educational Youth Services (KEYS) 2008 Music Teacher of the Year.” She is only one of four educators in central New York to receive this special recognition.

KEYS executive director Colleen Bennett was joined by Oswego Middle School principal Constance Evelyn as they presented the music teacher with the honor.

Chalet Dewey-Flint nominated Mazurek for the honor and said, “Deb really knows how to connect with students. She has over 70 students in her middle school orchestra and more students want to join each year.”

In her nomination letter, Dewey-Flint stated that she first observed Mazurek on a planned field trip to a local nursing home.

“It was therapeutic to the nursing home residents to see young people playing beautiful music. It was apparent that the students benefited through increased self-esteem as they (exuded) pride,” Dewey-Flint.

Evelyn commented on Mazurek as she saying, “It’s easy to find words of praise and recognition for someone as exceptional as Deb Mazurek. She works tirelessly to ensure the musical success of her students and the lessons she teaches echo far beyond the classroom. Deb Mazurek is more than deserving of this award, and I was honored to be a part of this celebration.”

Mazurek has taught in the Oswego City School District for more than two decades and has taught at Minetto, Fitzhugh and Riley elementary schools as well as the Oswego Middle School.

The veteran teacher said, “My greatest pride is seeing students help each other and people in the community with their instruments.” She had taken students to Pontiac and Loretto nursing homes as well as visited the Oswego Hospital Children’s Ward to play on Christmas Day.

“It is a blessing to work with colleagues and parents who realize that music  does not simply bring enjoyment, it is hard work that requires discipline, self-motivation, organization, sensitivity to others, risk-taking, self-awareness, attention to detail and regular practice,” Mazurek said. “These are traits that when developed in instrumental music study can spill over into academics and other endeavors the student is engaged in.”

Mazurek’s teachings has made a tremendous impression on students, both past and present. Mazurek explained, “I see former students assisting my current students at concerts, on field trips, at our retreat at Camp Hollis and at our competitions. My students have become mentors, they have honed their skills on their instruments and at the same time become people who care about other people and don’t hesitate to show that through music.”

KEYS is a children’s music charity that provides music therapy to children with cancer and other serious illnesses.

“The ‘Teacher of the Year’ award is a way to raise awareness of KEYS outreach programs while honoring those who make a difference in the lives of children each day through music,” Bennett said.

KEYS was founded in 1994 by Colleen and David Bennett as an early childhood music program to teach teachers how to incorporate music into their day care and special needs programs.

The program blossomed and in 2001 was approved by the New York State Board of Regents and incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Today the program is becoming nationally known and the benefits available through KEYS are becoming more widely recognized.