Today, Senator Reverend Warnock released a video recognizing Georgia’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, Michael Kobito
Mr. Kobito is an AP Music Theory teacher and Director of Bands at Woodland High School in Cartersville
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) launched his “Rapping with the Reverend” series in a new video congratulating Georgia’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, Michael Kobito, the Director of Bands at Woodland High School in Cartersville, Georgia. The Senator chatted virtually with Mr. Kobito earlier this month about the road to his well-deserved recognition, as well as the importance of arts education and how it helps students and communities thrive.
“I have to say that I am happy to see a music teacher, someone in the arts win the award this year. I think that’s important,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m a strong advocate of the arts in our schools. I think being in the band made a difference for me. I think it develops the young mind and that’s a part of our education that we don’t emphasize nearly enough.”
“I find that for my students, they really know music is something that inspires them to show up to school and inspires them to learn,” said Mr. Kobito. “So, they say that it’s an extracurricular thing, but it’s not an extra — it’s an essential thing that all of these kids need to be involved in.”
WATCH the full video HERE.
Full transcript of the video below:
Senator Reverend Warnock (SW): Michael!
Mr. Michael Kobito (MK): How’s it going, sir?
SW: How are you?
MK: I’m doing quite well. It’s so great to see you and meet you and get a chance to speak with you.
SW: Great to chat with you. Congratulations! Teacher of the Year!
MK: Yeah, it’s pretty unbelievable. I’ve been doing this job for seven years they deemed me worthy to represent our state, so I’m really, really excited for the future.
SW: I have to say that I am happy to see a music teacher, someone in the arts win the award this year. I think that’s important. I’m a strong advocate of the arts in our schools. I think being in band made a difference for me. I think it develops the young mind and that’s a part of our education that we don’t emphasize nearly enough. We have to talk about STEM and we have to talk about STEAM— we’ve got to have arts in that conversation.
MK: Absolutely, I find that for my students, they really know music is something that inspires them to show up to school and inspires them to learn. So, they say that it’s an extracurricular thing, but it’s not an extra— it’s an essential thing that all of these kids need to be involved in.
SW: I see that trumpet behind you. Is that your instrument of choice?
MK: Yes sir, I started playing the trumpet in sixth grade, it was the thing that paid for college and now I still get to make music a lot, but that’s my instrument of choice. You know, I heard that you were a musician back in your day. Is that true?
SW: [Laughter] Michael, be nice. What do you mean in my day. You’re making me sound really, really old.
MK: I just don’t see an instrument behind you, so I thought I’d ask.
SW: Well, I was a trumpet player also.
MK: No way! That’s awesome!
SW: I started playing trumpet in the fifth grade. So, I was one year ahead of you, but you’re a virtuoso, and I’ll be lucky if I can play Three Blind Mice.
MK: I bet I could teach you if you gave me the chance. I know you still have it in you.
SW: Thank you brother, for everything that you do. Thank you, for being there for our kids, particularly in the midst of this pandemic where there’s been so much trauma. I’m sure that band is an important release and a great place of creativity and probably healing, not only for the kids who are in the band, but for those who are cheering them on.
MK: Thank you so much. I appreciate the time.
SW: Alright, bye.
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