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Jose Antonio Diaz's recent honor by the CMA Foundation seems long overdue after his 36-year run, and counting, as a music teacher in Houston.
ABC13 reports that Diaz was among 30 teachers who were selected in 2021 by the CMA Foundation as a Music Teacher of Excellence. He has crafted a nearly 40-year teaching career since his first job at Houston's MacArthur High School.
"A former student ... she actually nominated me and encouraged me to apply for this and she wrote a recommendation," Diaz said, according to ABC13. "I ended up getting this amazing news about receiving this award."
This isn't the first time Diaz has been recognized for his accomplishments, as he was selected by over 3,000 teachers around the country to be a finalist for the Grammy Foundations Music Educator Award in 2017. In 2014, Diaz won a Hispanic Heritage Award from the Mayor of Houston's Office and received an Arts in the Community Award.
Throughout his career, Diaz has built up the MacArthur High School marching band and jazz ensembles and founded his nonprofit, Diaz Music Institute, in 2000. The Diaz Music Institute brings music education to underserved communities, according to ABC13.
"It's very exciting to see the levels that these kids have gotten to," Diaz said, according to ABC13. "We have kids who have left this program that have gone on to graduate from prestigious schools like Harvard, Berklee College of Music, we have kids that have left this program that have gone on to play with Stevie Wonder, have won Grammys, have won Stellar Awards. I mean, the list goes on and on."
Founded in 2006, the CMA Foundation is a nonprofit and states on its website that "it’s not just about raising up the next generation of musicians, but leveraging the impact that music has on students."
The honor from the CMA Foundation allowed Diaz to attend the Country Music Awards in Nashville, according to ABC13.
"The CMA Foundation is just an incredible organization," Diaz said, according to ABC13. "They are a huge support for music education. They are a huge support for music educators. It's not just for country music. They support all genres and music education programs throughout the country."