When USF graduate Melissa Salguero moved to the Bronx to teach music in 2010, she arrived with uncertain expectations and unbridled enthusiasm.
"I had no connections, but I knew I had to be here," said Salguero, who earned a music education degree from USF in 2009. "New York is one of those magical cities; it's the most musical place in the world, I think."
Salguero might have doubted herself, but those at USF who knew her as "Mely" never did. She confirmed their faith in her when she won this year's Grammy Music Educator Award, and appeared on television during the Jan. 28 ceremony, the week's highest-rated network broadcast.
"As a student, Mely was always so positive; she was a bright spot in everyone's day," said John Schnettler, who served as Associate Director of the USF Herd of Thunder Marching Band when Salguero was a member. "When we parted ways after her graduation, I never had a doubt that she would be one of the best teachers in the country."
Salguero attended the ceremony at Madison Square Garden and took selfies with celebrities like Lisa Loeb, Anna Kendrick and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Host James Corden even stopped by her seat during the broadcast.
"I talked to everyone I could, and I told them all I wanted to change the world, because you never know who's going to be inspired or connect with you," she said.
The award was created by the Recording Academy and Grammy Foundation to highlight the impactful work of music teachers across the nation.
Eligible teachers can be nominated by colleagues, students, parents, or even themselves, and must submit written and video essays detailing the impact they have on their students.
Winners attend the Grammy ceremony, receive recognition during the telecast and earn a 50,000 grant to buy new instruments.
Shortly after, the school was broken into, and all of the new instruments were stolen; Salguero spent her own money to replace some, but then appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where DeGeneres presented her with a $50,000 check to replace all they had lost.
"Melissa is a constant reminder of why we went into the field of education," said P.S. 48's assistant principal, Michelle Sukhdeo. "Her passion is palpable and contagious, and students adore her.
"She does not let their circumstances dictate their future; she reminds them every day of their limitless possibilities."
Salguero credits her leadership skills to her time in the USF music program, particularly the teachers who chose her to serve three years as drum major for the marching band.
"When you're directing 300 people on a field, you have to be outgoing and not afraid to lead," she said. "So when I stepped into my classroom in New York, it was a natural transition for me."
Salguero said she didn't feel like she could relate to inner-city kids by singing a traditional music class song, so chose instead a marching band favorite: Journey's Don't Stop Believin'.
It delighted the students.
Salguero's students start her music class in third grade, then receive instruments and play in the band starting in fifth grade.
"It's amazing, the change I see in the kids during those years," she said. "When I first get them, they're just discovering their love for music, but by fifth grade, their personalities really start to shine and they're so appreciative of their instruments because they know what a struggle it was to get them."
"I want there to be more great teachers at the elementary school level that are inspiring kids," said Salguero, who hopes to branch out and help other teachers. "I'm just one teacher in one school, but imagine the change I could make if I could help other teachers have the impact that I've been able to have."
Former USF band captain Alicia Glass said Salguero's genuine nature made her a worthy recipient for a Grammy.
"What makes Mely so authentic is that when you see her on TV or hear her on the radio, you're getting the same person who would eat lunch with you at the student center or tell bad jokes on the band bus," Glass said.
Contact Libby Baldwin at lbaldwin@tampabay.com. Follow her at @LibBaldwin.
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