For Al Rodriguez, the third time might be the charm.
The Mount Vernon High School orchestra teacher was announced last weekend as a finalist for the 2027 Grammy Music Educator Award.
Awarded by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum, the recognition honors music teachers who make a “significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education” in schools. It can go to public and private school teachers of students in preschool through college.
Rodriguez is one of 10 finalists out of 2,000 initial applicants. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards on Feb. 7, 2027 to receive the recognition and pick up a $10,000 personal honorarium.
Rodriguez, 33, a native of Cleveland, is in his ninth year at Mount Vernon High School. He was inspired to pursue music education by his own high school orchestra director.
“She ran an incredible program that really uplifted students and pushed them really hard but gave them a space to succeed,” he said.
Rodriguez has applied twice for the Music Educator Grammy in the past, once becoming a semifinalist. He wasn’t going to apply this year “because there were so many other things to do,” but the Grammys reached out to him and suggested he file an application.
“It’s been a whirlwind process,” he said.
Rodriguez said his goal as a teacher is to ensure all students have access to quality music education and to build a culture where they all care for each other.
“I really believe that in order to create great music you have to be in an environment where you care about the people you’re making music with,” he said.
While he acknowledges the recognition is a huge honor, he feels it’s the Mount Vernon High School community that deserves the praise.
“I love what I do as a teacher, but even more now than ever, this process has made me grateful about where I get to do it,” he said. “It’s a cool spotlight for me and I’m really enjoying that but I’m also excited to put the spotlight on my school and my community because they’re incredible.”
The winner will be announced in early 2027. If Rodriguez wins, he would be the second Fairfax County Public Schools teacher in recent years to claim the title after Annandale High School Orchestra Director Annie Ray won in 2024.
The Grammy Awards are scheduled to announce their full list of 2027 nominees next Monday, Nov. 16 at 9 a.m.
