Ramon Rivera's music classes aren't so much lessons as they are a celebration. "When we perform mariachi music it's a lot of joy," he said. "The spirit in the room changes. It' connects people." Rivera teaches traditional Mexican mariachi song and dance at Mount Vernon High School. "It's my job every day to make sure the world continues making beautiful music and that the youth in our community uses that music to amplify our community," he said. Rivera was recently named Washington's music teacher of the year. He was also selected from hundreds of band directors across the country to march in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade at the beginning of the year. Rivera is a Golden Apple and Washington State Jefferson Award Winner, as well, with a National CMA Foundation Excellence honor to his name. He believes mariachi is connecting kids with their culture, and helping non-Latinos better understand their schoolmates. "If we understand other people's music, we understand other people's culture," said Rivera. "Hopefully, we have fewer divisions in this country." READ THE FULL STORY: https://www.king5.com/article/news/education/mount-vernon-washington-music-teacher-of-the-year/281-1ebfa717-8df7-4c23-9f26-43459b1a75d3