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Marshall Road music teacher named top new educator in Fairfax

Fairfax Sun Gazette - 6/10/2017

Dixie Mazur, a music teacher and music therapist at Marshall Road Elementary School, has been named the 2017 Fairfax County Public Schools Outstanding New Elementary Teacher.

"I teach general-education classes that include mainstreamed students and self-contained classes ranging from three to nine students with emotional disabilities and autism or other pervasive developmental disorders," said Mazur, who began her Fairfax County teaching career in August 2014. "The motivation and excitement I feel with each new situation, and the rewards that come from working through each challenge, are the major reasons why I love working with these students."

Mazur was praised for being able to differentiate instruction for all types of learners, school-system leaders said in making the announcement. She uses her experience in the area of music therapy to make tailored instruction for students with all types of needs.

Special-education teacher Meredith Hulley said Mazur was able to work with all who came to her classes.

"Some students are highly verbal, extremely active and capable of a great deal. For these students, Dixie pushes them with their vocalizations and incorporates added movements into the musical activity," Hulley said. "For other students, playing an instrument while holding a mallet is beyond their current abilities, so Dixie provides them with a drum to hit instead."

"Dixie is quick to notice when a student seems out of sorts, and is able to compassionately help them move forward with their day," said nominator and fellow music teacher Arianne Welsh. "She is always happy to give additional help with music to students before school and on her planning periods. She is truly dedicated to making sure that students get the best individualization possible in music and is open to student needs in all areas of school and life."

Eligible candidates for the Outstanding New Elementary Teacher Award must be within their first three years of teaching. Finalists for the 2017 award included Marielle Dean, a first-grade teacher at London Towne Elementary School; John Henry, a sixth-grade teacher at Silverbrook Elementary School; Brenna Hovey, a third-grade teacher at Washington Mill Elementary School; and Kelly McLemore, a fifth-grade teacher at Kent Gardens Elementary School.