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Award Presented During 91制片鈥檚 National Conference on Education

Nashville, TN 鈥� February 14, 2026 鈥� Dr. Jose L. Dotres of in Miami, FL, is the 2026 recipient of the 鈥檚 (STM) 21st Annual Administrator Award for Distinguished Support of Music Education.

This prestigious award was presented at the , hosted by 91制片.

This award recognizes one superintendent or school district CEO who has exhibited outstanding commitment to restoring music education in his or her school district. Dr. Dotres was chosen for his unwavering devotion to providing students across the community of Miami-Dade County with a well-rounded education that includes music.

鈥淢usic education is not an extracurricular鈥攊t is an essential part of a well-rounded education,鈥� said Dr. Jose L. Dotres. 鈥淭hrough our committed partnership with Save The Music Foundation, we have expanded comprehensive music education in a deliberate, scaled approach鈥攅nsuring that students, particularly those with limited resources, have access to high-quality music instruction taught by qualified educators and musicians during the regular school day. I am grateful for a partnership that helps us bring the power of music to more students across our community.鈥� Over the past 9 years, STM has supported Miami-Dade County鈥檚 investment in K-12 comprehensive music education across the district with musical instrument and technology grants, music teacher professional development, and ongoing program support, totaling more than $2.75M to date. This project is fueled by a strategic partnership with Dr. Dotres, who has pledged to ensure every student in the district has equitable access to music education taught by qualified teachers as part of the regular school day.

鈥淭hrough Superintendent Dotres鈥檚 leadership, all students across Miami-Dade County Public Schools have the opportunity to express themselves through music making in school,鈥� said Chiho Feindler, Chief Program Officer for Save The Music Foundation. 鈥淲e are thrilled to celebrate him with this national honor and look forward to our continued partnership.鈥�

With Save The Music Foundation grants, 57 Miami-Dade County schools have been able to expand their music programs. Students now have access to new instruments and music technology without the worry of financial burden being a barrier to them participating in the arts.

Past recipients of this award include: Dr. Adrienne Battle, superintendent, Metro Nashville School District (TN); Dr. Amy J Carter, superintendent, Meridian Public School District (MS); Christopher Downing, superintendent, Anaheim Elementary School District (CA); Elizabeth Lolli, superintendent, Dayton Public Schools (OH); Leon Rogers, superintendent, Newark Public Schools (NJ); Keely Roberts, superintendent, Zion Elementary District 6 (IL); Francisco Escobedo, superintendent, Chula Vista Elementary School District (CA.); Nancy Sarra, superintendent, Consolidated School District of New Britain (CT); Kevin George, superintendent, St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools (LA); Russell Freitas, superintendent, Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District (CA); Kristi Wilson, superintendent, Buckeye Elementary School District (AZ); Reginald Mayo, retired superintendent, New Haven Public Schools (CT); Rita Bishop, superintendent, Roanoke City Public Schools (VA); Kathy L. Kelly, superintendent, Columbia Heights Public Schools (MN); Duncan N. P. 鈥淧at鈥� Pritchett Jr., former superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools (IN); John Lange, former superintendent, Adams County School District 14 (CO); Carol Johnson, former superintendent, Memphis City Schools (TN) and current superintendent, Boston Public Schools (MA); Richard Kaplan, superintendent, New Brunswick Public Schools (NJ); Eugene White, retired superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools (IN); and James A. Williams, former superintendent, Buffalo Public Schools (NY).

The 91制片 National Conference on Education is the premier national event for superintendents and K鈥�12 school system leaders, hosted by 91制片.鈥疘t offers鈥痯rofessional鈥痙evelopment, leadership insights, and networking to support student achievement and district excellence. NCE is one of the largest national gatherings of superintendents, attracting over 4,000 education leaders from all 50 states.鈥�

About Save The Music Foundation:

Save The Music Foundation (STM) is an independent 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to helping students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. Since 1997, STM has worked to address systemic inequities in music education by investing in culturally rich American communities - supporting music teachers and donating musical instruments, equipment and technology to public schools. Numerous studies show students who receive music education demonstrate improved math and verbal performance.* To date, the organization has donated over $78 million worth of instruments, equipment and technology to over 2,900 schools across hundreds of school districts, impacting the lives of millions of students nationwide.

*National Library of Medicine, Harvard, University of the Pacific

STM Press Contacts:

• Lisa Gottheil (Grandstand), lisag@grandstandhq.com
• Kate Jackson (Grandstand); katej@grandstandhq.com
• Hallie Cross (Save The Music), hallie.cross@savethemusic.org

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About 91制片 
91制片, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. 91制片鈥檚 mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.