This year, McAuliffe Middle School welcomes its new Instrumental Music Director, Melissa Palmer. She will teach Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Bands, String Orchestra, and general music class.
Palmer has a strong background in music education and was named Teacher of the Year at her previous school. She brings 10 years of teaching experience at the high school and middle school levels. She has led competitive performing groups and SBSBOA Honor groups. She is expected to be a wonderful addition to Los Alamitos Unified School District’s already strong arts faculty.
Three LAUSD teachers were awarded major honors by the Orange County Music and Arts Administrators this past spring. Suzanne McElderry (McGaugh Music), and Justin Padilla (Oak Instrumental Music) were named Teacher of the Year in their respective divisions, and Coralie Prince (Hopkinson, Lee Music) received a lifetime achievement award.
Mrs. Prince recently announced her retirement after 34 years of teaching here. She is one of the founders of music education in the district.
