Local band instructor named “Best Teacher Ever” in online contest

A local band instructor won the Chick-fil-A “Best Teacher Ever” contest.

Stephen Myers has been a teacher for 15 years. Summre Clark, a student in his Carson Middle School band class, nominated Myers for the online contest.

“He informs his students to never give up,” Clark said. “He tells us if you never give up, you can achieve anything.”

TNT Maddox, a Harlem Globetrotter from Colorado Springs, helped introduce Myers as the contest winner in front of his class on Monday.

“I think teachers don’t always get their due,” Maddox said. “I don’t know if they realize how much they touch children’s lives.”

In her online nomination, Clark said Myers creates an inclusive community in his classroom, and even takes a stand against bullying.

“He encourages us to do our best,” she said. “He’s always been there for me, and he always tells us to enjoy the little things in life.”

Maddox said it’s important for students to feel safe at school.

“It’s super important that kids know that they don’t deserve to be bullied,” she said. “They need to come to school, have fun and learn.”

Myers sees his students as much more than members of the band.

“They’re kids, they’re people and they need to be treated as people,” he said.

For winning the contest, Myers was given tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters event in Colorado Springs this Friday. He also won free Chick-fil-A meals for a year.