Return to Headlines

Moravia teacher honored by WCNY Classical FM

At Moravia Middle School, Joanna Kufs's sixth grade chorus class was recently interrupted as an unexpected collection of school administrators and special visitors piled into her classroom. Kufs was the recipient of the WCNY Classical FM Music Educator Award for the month of January, a significant honor that is awarded to only one teacher each month across a listening area of 19 counties.

Kufs had received three nominations that included former students and parents of current ones. “Students are drawn to her,” said one nomination. “She is able to foster their musical development and goes above and beyond in her everyday teaching.”

Another described Moravia’s performing arts program as “world-class due to [Ms. Kufs’s] efforts.”

The award recognized her dedication and service to her students as well as her involvement in the district’s annual musical. Kufs teaches classes in both Moravia Middle School and Moravia High School. This is her seventeenth year with the district.

“We have so much fun,” said Kufs after being presented with her award. “It’s not even like a job to me. It’s genuinely just fun.”

An audio recording of the segment will air on WCNY Classical FM on Saturday, January 25 at 10:30 a.m. and then again at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Tuesday at noon. In August, a television special will be broadcast on WCNY that recognizes all the year’s winners, including Kufs.