A high school music teacher in Windham, New Hampshire, has received the 2015 Grammy Music Educator award.
Related: Click here to listen to Rick Ganley's conversation with Cassedy, recorded in December after he was chosen as one of ten finalists.
Jared Cassedy of Windham High School was one of 10 teachers selected as the finalists for the award, which recognizes educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education.
Cassedy is scheduled to receive the award at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 7. He said it's not only recognition of the talented students and supportive community he gets to work with, but it's also a representation of the fundamental significance of music and the arts in schools.
Cassedy has been the school's director of bands since 2009. He's director of the New Hampshire Youth Wind Ensemble and of K-12 fine arts for the district.