Walt Disney Elementary music teacher part of 25 finalist for Indiana Teacher of the Year

Penn Harris Madison: Mr. Robi Davidson with Penn High School Marching Band

Penn Harris Madison: Dr. Thacker, Dr. Higginson, Mr. Davidson, Dr. Short, and Mr. Towner

MISHAWAKA, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Education announced the Top 25 finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year Award on Friday, and Walt Disney Elementary School's music teacher, Mr. Robi Davidson was among them.

Davidson was at Penn High School Marching Band practice when Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, former Walt Disney Principal now Literacy Director Ryan Towner, and new Disney Principal Dr. Mindy Higginson surprised him to congratulate him.

In the summer, Davidson coaches the tuba section for Penn’s award-winning Marching Band and works on the sound design team with the front ensemble.

To celebrate Davidson’s next step in the award process, Walt Disney Principal Dr. Higginson brought him balloons and the band played the Penn Fight Song, with the tuba section front and center.

In April, Davidson was Penn Harris Madison’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. Between his teaching career and his K-12 education, Davidson has spent almost his entire life at PHM.

He attended Penn Madison Elementary School, Grissom Middle School, and graduated from Penn High School in 2007.

He has taught music at Walt Disney Elementary for 11 of his 12 years of teaching.

The IDOE each year recognizes an Indiana Teacher of the Year as an educator who works to inspire, rejuvenate, and celebrate the teaching profession.

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