Adam Kramer, band director at Fort Worth Independent School District’s Southwest High School and Wedgwood Middle School, has been selected as the 2017-18 Bayard H. Friedman Chair for Teaching Excellence in Performing Arts.

Mr. Kramer was chosen following a rigorous three-part evaluation process based on a written application and narrative; a recording of classroom instruction; and an interview session with a distinguished panel of judges.  

In 1999 Performing Arts Fort Worth established the Bayard H. Friedman Chair for Teaching Excellence in Performing Arts, which annually recognizes and rewards an exemplary Fort Worth Independent School District teacher. The Chair carries the title for one year and receives a $5,000 honorarium.  

Mr. Kramer has been teaching for 21 years, eight years in Fort Worth ISD.   Under his direction, many of Mr. Kramer’s students have been named to All-District, All-Region, and All-State Concert and Jazz Bands. Michael Dawson, Head Band Director at Wedgwood Middle School, states, “Mr. Kramer is a respected faculty member at Wedgwood Middle and Southwest High Schools. He has great rapport with teachers and administrators….and is also highly respected by students and parents.” 

The Chairs for Teaching Excellence program is modeled after the university-level Chair program and is designed to recognize and reward exemplary teachers. This program is unique because of its role in a public secondary school setting and for its rigorous selection process.

Congratulations, Adam!