Sept. Teacher of the Month: Josh Murray, Rio Americano HS

Name: Josh Murray

Occupation: Music teacher at .

Years At School: 14

Previous Schools Taught: Has previously taught within the .

Education: Attended The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City; bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Davis

Personal: Lives in Carmichael with wife Alicia, a French teacher at Rio Americano. The couple has two children who attend .

What he likes about teaching: "I enjoy the kids. They're energy is wonderful. It's very fun. They're really exceptional musicians. I'm trying to create an environment where the kids feel comfortable. We just played at the Monterey Jazz Festival last weekend and have done the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival in New York City. We've toured Japan and Australia and are visiting Spain next summer."

What influenced him to become a teacher? 

"My 7th grade math teacher, Jono Schrode, made learning so much fun that  I wanted to be just like him."

Community Involvement

"I play saxophone in the Sacramento Jazz Orchestra and The New Originals."

What he likes most about the school and Carmichael community: "It's a great place to work because there is support in the community. On campus, it's like we have our own little world here. When the kids become part of the Rio band, I tell them it's the best peer group you can be a part of."

What others say about him:

"The work he does with his students reaches beyond the classroom into the community. Josh is the kind of teacher that truly cares about what's going on with his students even when they leave his classroom. Every year he sends a list of all the band students out to all the Rio teachers and asks if there are any concerns, behavior or academic, to contact him directly. It's that kind of interest that keeps the program going and the students to do their best." - Vanessa Adolphson, Rio Americano vice principal

"Mr. Murray...makes us better musicians. He teaches us to work hard and that hard work pays off. He runs a relaxed, tight ship." -Nick Stanton, senior trumpet player

"It's a no excuses zone with him. He gets us to participate fully in band. He acts like... a cool uncle. He's very approachable." -Annie Chernich, senior trombone player

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The Rio Americano band program is holding a fundraiser car wash from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Arden Middle School. The band program is also holding its annual Play-a-Thon on Nov. 10, when he public is invited to a concert and band outreach event.