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Versailles Exempted Village Schools teacher Ronda Stammen was presented with the 2025-2026 Music Educator of the Year award at the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference in Columbus last week.
By ERIN RISMILLER
Versailles Exempted Village Schools
COLUMBUS - For decades, Ronda Stammen has stood at the podium, conducting not just music, but the lives of countless students in the Versailles Exempted Village School District.
On Jan. 29, that dedication was recognized on a state level as Stammen was officially presented with the 2025-2026 Music Educator of the Year award at the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference in Columbus.
While the official hardware was handed out in Columbus, the emotional weight of the award landed a month earlier. During the Versailles Middle School Band Christmas Concert in December, the music stopped for a surprise announcement. Surrounded by the students she mentors and the community she serves, Stammen learned she had been selected for the highest honor bestowed by the OMEA. OMEA Past President Daniel Ruckman (band director at Coldwater Exempted Village Schools) made the announcement.
The award recognizes a music educator who has demonstrated outstanding service to the profession, excellence in teaching, commitment beyond normal duties and a profound impact on students.
Stammen was nominated by her colleague and OMEA member, Erin Rismiller, and the
nomination included numerous additional letters of recommendation by school administration, coworkers, other area music teachers, music boosters, band parents, students, alumni and community members. In her nomination, Rismiller painted a picture of a tireless educator who serves not only as a band director but as a cornerstone of the district's culture.
"Ronda is the definition of a music educator who goes above and beyond," Rismiller noted. "Her day doesn't end when the bell rings. From early morning rehearsals to late-night competitions, she pours her heart into this program."
Additional letters of recommendation submitted to the OMEA committee highlighted Stammen's impressive professional resume. Colleagues and administrators pointed to her consistent record of earning Superior ratings at district and state contests, her leadership in growing the marching band program, and her role in mentoring younger teachers.
During the ceremony in Columbus, Stammen delivered a moving acceptance speech that deflected the spotlight from herself back onto her community.
"This award is not a reflection of one person, but of a village," Stammen told the audience of music educators from across the state. "It belongs to the parents who trust us with their children, the administration that supports the arts, and most importantly, the students who show up every day ready to make music."
"When I entered music education, my goal was never just to teach the notes on the page or to perfect a competition piece. My goal was to teach the person behind the instrument. I've always believed that music isn't just a subject you take in high school - it's a life-long companion."
Stammen reflected on her career, noting that while the accolades are appreciated, the true reward is found in the daily breakthroughs in the classroom - the moment a difficult passage clicks or a student finds their confidence through an instrument or finds their inner voice and becomes an outstanding leader.
"Music education is about more than notes and rhythms," she stated after receiving the award. "It is about teaching resilience, teamwork, and the joy of creating something beautiful together. To be recognized for doing what I love is truly a humbling experience."
Stammen is a 1989 graduate of Celina High School and graduated with a bachelor's degree in music education from Wright State University in 1993.
Stammen added, "My family and my faith are what drive me spiritually. They help me keep the balance needed between life as a band director and the life as a wife and mom. My husband Bob is a high school football coach. Yes, let that sink in for just a moment. We - and along with our children - have been jumping on buses to coach and motivate many students on Friday nights for many decades. But more importantly Bob is an amazing 5th grade math teacher and my best friend. I have had the privilege to teach my children and work side by side with my daughter Katey. If you get the chance to work with family you understand how that can bring both of the worlds together."
The impact of Stammen's work is visible throughout Versailles. Under her direction, the band program has remained a point of pride for the community, known for its high standards and spirited performances. For the students at Versailles, however, she remains simply "Mrs. Stammen" - the teacher who believes in them, challenges them, and helps them find their sound.
