 |  | Vincent Sneed has been teaching music in Georgia for the past 21 years. He has taught band, chorus, music theory, music history, music appreciation, piano, and guitar. Sneed has taught in the counties of Dougherty, Muscogee, Rockdale, Forsyth, Social Circle, and is currently teaching in Gwinnett County at Central Gwinnett High School (School of the Arts). In 2012, he was selected as Teacher of the Year for the Muscogee County School District, as well as STAR Teacher in 2013. He was a featured TED talk speaker at Northwestern University in April of 2024 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5JfhLmw1CU). He also presented to educators at the Festival of Education in metro Washington DC last month. Sneed will again be presenting in Washington DC at the DCMEA conference in January. He will be traveling overseas next June to speak to educators at a conference on the island of Cyprus. In addition to public school education, Sneed has served as a minister of music for various churches. He lives with his wife and son in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Who are the influences that led you to become a music educator?
My parents were always a positive example as they supported my music ambitions from a very young age, getting me piano lessons, taking me to music camps, and supporting all my activities in school. Additionally, I have very positive influences from my middle school band director, David Campbell, and my high school band director, Dr. Jeff Kluball, who both inspired me to be make this my career.
You recently changed from teaching band to teaching piano and general music - can you tell us about what led to that change?
In August of 2023, during pre-planning of my then middle school band job, my son was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. Chemo therapy would be required and it would take 6 months for him to complete all the cycles. Being my son was only 3 years old at the time, this required him to be in the hospital for that entire time with only brief respites at home between each cycle. He was blessed to make it through each stage and is now in remission. However, I had to step back my time commitments and focus on my family as we continue navigate doctors appointments which required me to teach in only a classroom context without as many before and after school responsibilities at this time.
What advice do you have for someone considering a switch in their teaching area?
My biggest suggestion is to do what is best for you, your family, and your students. Learn more about the area you are switching to beforehand by talking to colleagues. There are rewards and challenges in any context you teach.
Can you tell us about your TED Talk? How did you become involved in TED?
After watching all the division in the country and world these last few years, I began to look for things that connect us and can unify us. I was blown away by how interconnected we all are in this world through culture, science, history, and more. However, I also realized that most people do not know these connections and still see our world as segregated by race, ethnicity, class, etc. I wanted to make a difference by getting the message out in hopes of being a voice of positive change, which led me to reach out to TED and I was selected to speak. It was a wonderful experience and a message I look to continue to spread to educators.
The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5JfhLmw1CU
What advice do you have for future music educators?
Every student matters. You can tell a lot about a teacher by how they treat their "worst" student. The kids you might think are your biggest problems are the ones that need you the most. Don't get so caught up in bragging on your All State kids and best performers that you forget about the kid sitting last chair that can barely play or sing a note. Every student needs someone who will not give up on them, and you might be that person. Focus on scholarship, not championships. Be the example, not the excuse. Give every student the inspiration they need to make today better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today. Don't make the music better using students, make the students better using music.
Anything else you'd want to tell all of our GMEA members?
Thank you to all of you who reached out or donated during my son's cancer journey. It was truly a difficult time and hearing from people who care was very helpful. Although almost all of you who reached out had never met my son before, you still found it in your heart to pray, give, or offer assistance. We ask for your continued prayers as we continue to work through oncology appointments and other health challenges through his remission.
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