I am excited to announce that Ms. Bennie Vincent was selected Monticello School District’s Educator of the Year at the Monticello-Drew County Chamber of Commerce

Awards Banquet on March 4, 2024.  This is Ms. Bennie Vincent’s 36th year as an educator. She has dedicated her life to the children who have passed through her classroom doors. Through her tireless efforts, she has built musical foundations that will last her students a lifetime.

In 2015, I attended my first ever Monticello Graduation. Ms. Vincent’s choir sang the National Anthem a cappella. That choir under Ms. Vincent’s direction sang so beautifully, so moving and with so much pride that I was moved to tears. I am still moved by the music that Ms. Vincent creates through her students. Ms. Vincent is recognized throughout the state for her excellence in music education.  Her choirs always receive superior ratings in competitions, and she always receives an invitation from the Governor to perform at the Capitol each year.

I want to personally thank Ms. Vincent for her professionalism, dedication, kindness, and her desire to instill in every student a love of music.  Ms. Vincent is a master teacher in every sense of the word. She walks the walk every day and is highly respected by her students, their parents, her peers, the community and the state.

The value of incorporating music into a child's education cannot be over-emphasized or stressed enough. There is a tremendous amount of educational research that proves that an education rich in music improves students' cognitive function and academic performance.  Ms. Vincent’s has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children in every aspect of their education in and out of the choir room. The students of Monticello High School as well as the students of Monticello Middle School are very fortunate to have Ms. Vincent as their teacher. 

SANDRA LANEHART

Superintendent