Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Fort Scott Orchestra teacher Cody Toll was recently awarded the Kansas American String Teacher’s Association Young Teacher of the Year award in Wichita, Kan.The annual award is given to a new member of the string teaching profession in recognition of “meritorious service and outstanding promise in string and orchestra education.” Stipulations state that the winner must have completed from one to seven years of string teaching and demonstrate dedication to the profession and involvement in professional activities.
Pittsburg State University Associate Professor and Director of Orchestras Selim Giray nominated the young professional who is in just his second year of teaching.
Giray, who first met Toll at a local concert, said his dedication to his music and his students is obvious.
“You can tell he really cares for what he does and for his students,” Giray said. “He has proven that in such a short time. Everybody is extremely impressed with his ability to lead the ensemble and relate to his students.”
Toll’s current position with USD 234 is the 24-year-old Kansas State University graduate’s first job. He replaced longtime teacher Jane Williams, who led the program for more than 20 years.
“It is a really difficult job to start a program,” Giray said. “It is equally, if not more difficult, to take a position that a legendary person like Jane Williams has been leading. That’s one of the reasons we are impressed because he has done such a marvelous job of living up to and exceeding those expectations.”
Williams said she couldn’t say enough nice things about Toll, adding he has the youth and energy students need. The award is fitting because it recognizes that, she said.
“I think it is well deserved, and it’s such a nice recognition from the state at such an early age,” Williams said. “They recognize his talent and teaching abilities.”
She said she can “really see the continuity” of the program under Toll’s instruction.
“I can now rest easy knowing the future of the program is secure,” Williams said.
Toll taught violin and viola lessons privately until 2003 and has been composing and arranging since 2004, according to his biography on the KASTA website. In addition to the Young Teacher of the Year Award, Toll was nominated for the Kansas Horizon Award for teachers showing exceptional quality in their first year.
Of his awards, Toll said he was honored — even more so when he won.
“I think the arts are a really important part of our society and our culture, and oftentimes they can be overlooked,” Toll said. “It’s encouraging to see that recognized, but I am most rewarded when I see the kids being enthusiastic about music.”
The first year of teaching for Toll was like “stumbling blindly” about, but his second year has been “a lot easier.” He composes and arranges pieces for his students, focusing on well-known songs or “things they know and enjoy hearing.”
“I’m having more of a relationship with the kids now,” Toll said.” They know me, and I know them. I think I’ve earned their trust. It is kind of a unique thing.”
Angelique McNaughton 