Tracey Frazier, the band director at Brainerd High School in Chattanooga, TN., directs the band prior to their march in the annual Armed Forces Day Parade on Friday, May 4, 2012.
ABOUT THE WINNERTracey FrazierAge: 41Education: Bachelor’s in music education and master’s degree in music from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; education specialist degree in instructional leadership from Tennessee Tech UniversityYears in education: 19 yearsYears at school: 19 yearsFamily: Married to husband, Amos; 1 stepson, Antonio”She teaches the children discipline as it applies to music. They have great listening skills and follow directions to the point.” – Brainerd parent Phyllis Rutledge
In his mind, Martel Smith sees the reason he graduated this year as simple. It’s the same reason he’s stayed out of trouble and the same reason he’ll go to college in the fall.
He credits his success to his band teacher of four years, Tracey Frazier. To students like him, lessons learned go beyond just brass and percussion.
“She’s more than a teacher,” he said. “She’s like a mother.”
Smith is the captain of Brainerd High School’s marching band. In the band he found focus and a path to a future. He’ll play in Tennessee State University’s marching band in the fall on a tuba scholarship.