Two Meredith Music Education Alumnae Receive Teacher of the Year Accolades

Two Meredith music education alumnae have recently received Teacher of the Year honors at their schools.

Sarah Moore Kronenwetter, ’13, was named Teacher of the Year at South Garner High School, and Carolina de la Rosa, ’21, was named East Cary Magnet Middle School’s Teacher of the Year. Kronenwetter teaches chorus while de la Rosa teaches band.

Kronenwetter earned a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Music Education and Voice at Meredith, where she was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. Her experience at Meredith prepared her well for her teaching career.

“The [Teaching Fellows program] allowed me to begin observations with my cooperating teacher during my sophomore year and allowed me to travel throughout North Carolina to visit schools,” Kronenwetter said. “I was also given the opportunity to travel to New York City and visit a school in Harlem, and I spent a summer learning about the world through Meredith’s study abroad program. I also had wonderful professors in both the education and music departments who helped me become a confident educator and musician!” 

The Teacher of the Year honor is meaningful to Kronenwetter.

“Being named Teacher of the Year at South Garner High School means that my colleagues see and respect the work that I do in my classroom and the joy that the choral department students bring to our school community,” she said.

At Meredith, de la Rosa earned degrees in psychology and music education. Both programs helped prepare her for success as an educator.

“Meredith College prepared me for the many demands of a teaching career by instilling a strong foundation of both content knowledge and practical experience,” de la Rosa said.  “The music department consistently challenged me; my professors were tough and had high expectations, which honed my discipline and expertise in music.”

Her coursework in psychology and education has also been beneficial. 

“Coursework in childhood development provided me with effective classroom management strategies, while studies in neuroscience helped me better understand how students learn and how best to support their development,” de la Rosa said. “The education department established high expectations about being a professional in all aspects, from communication to conduct, ensuring I was workplace-ready.”

The Teacher of the Year accolade is “deeply meaningful” to de la Rosa.

The honor “validates the countless hours of dedication I have poured into my students and my craft. This recognition reinforces my passion for education and serves as a powerful reminder of the tangible impact we can make in the classroom,” de la Rosa said.  “I am truly humbled to be recognized alongside so many exemplary educators, and I am profoundly grateful to the colleagues, mentors, and students who have supported my growth and helped me become the educator I am today.”