Robert Longfield, the Orchestra and AP Music Theory teacher at Palmetto Senior High and the Orchestra teacher at Palmetto Middle, recently was nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award by Palmetto Senior.
It's not hard to see why. Longfield, who has taught at the senior high for 13 years and the middle school for two, is a man motivated not just by his love of music, but by his desire to share that love

with those around him. And he is thankful everyday that he has the opportunity to do just that.
"I am really blessed in that regard. My professional career allows me to do something that I love, something that I enjoy every second of," he said.
In addition to being recognized by his peers with his recent nomination, he also has served as the chairman of the performing arts department for the past eight years. He is responsible for overseeing the Music, Drama and Dance departments.
"I work with some very outstanding, extremely dedicated teachers. It is a pleasure to work with them," he added.
Perhaps the most telling indication of Longfield's success is the success of the orchestra program in general, and his students in particular.
This past spring, the Palmetto High Orchestra, 90 members strong, received a superior rating at the statewide evaluation, and had four members named to the All-State Orchestra. The orchestra performs at venues all over, including at the Gusman Center in downtown Miami. That's a far cry from the orchestra Longfield inherited, which had only seven members.
But perhaps the greatest testament to Longfield's success is reflected in the number of students that have gone on to careers in music.
"I'm reluctant to mention specific

students, I don't want to alienate anyone, but a number have gone on to be successful music professionals. Several have gone into teaching themselves in Florida and even here in Dade, and that is very rewarding. To see something go full circle like that--to have a former student become a colleague--is a very satisfying feeling," he said.
Longfield, who sponsors Tri-M, the music honor society, also was given the Mr. Holland's Opus Award several years ago. The winners are chosen by NARAS, the same group that gives out the Grammys. Eleven recipients are picked nationwide for their outstanding contributions to music education.
Even Longfield's extracurricular activities revolve around his love of music. He is the band editor for the FJH Music Company, a music publisher, and is a composer and arranger himself with more than 40 published pieces that have been performed in the United States, Europe and Japan. He also is the conductor for the Greater Miami Symphonic Band, a group comprised of older adults.
"It's great working with them [the Symphonic Band]. It means I get to make music with students as young as 10 or 11 all the way through adults in their 80s. I work with the entire spectrum of musicians. What links them all is their love of music, the joy of making and experiencing the music," he said.

Longfield lives with his wife, Judy, the band director at Coral Gables High, and his twin sons, Christopher and Matthew, third graders at Holy Rosary.
He also finds time to be an assistant coach at the Perrine Khoury League and the Homestead YMCA.
Before coming to South Florida, Longfield was the orchestra teacher at Davison High in Davison, MI, where he was named the Orchestra Teacher of the Year for the entire state.
He moved here to get his master's degree from the University of Miami in applied music (music performance), and decided to stay.
"Palmetto Middle and Palmetto High are great schools with great faculty and great community. I've had truly outstanding students over the years...there is a real desire for excellence among the students here. I've found in my orchestra students a real dedication, perseverance and a common love of music," he said.
And Longfield is clearly flattered to have been selected as the Teacher of the Year nominee.
"Palmetto has an outstanding faculty, and many of them could've been selected instead of myself. I'm really honored and humbled that they've chosen me, and I hope I can be a representative of the entire faculty," Longfield said.