Rick Rushworth receives the Music Education Association’s Outstanding Administrator award from Soli Fott, a former TMEA president
Once a musician and band director, always a musician and band supporter. That certainly fits Rick Rushworth, principal at Lookout Valley Middle/High School, and a recipient of a 2018 Tennessee Music Education Association’s Outstanding Administrator award.
Mr. Rushworth received the honor at the TMEA annual conference in Nashville. TMEA gives the award to administrators providing significant leadership in support of music education. The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center was the location of the 2018 conference.
Mr. Rushworth is an ardent supporter of music programs in Hamilton County and especially at Lookout Valley Middle/High. He can regularly be seen in the audience of concerts and attends band competitions the school participates in during the year. Mr. Rushworth has even joined in and played tuba with the band at school events.
“He has not only encouraged more music classes at Lookout Valley, but he was actively involved in the school adding an after-school jazz band program,” said Shannon Stephens, band director and music teacher at Lookout Valley. “He constantly encourages music students to pursue musical activities in the band program and encourages those not involved in music to participate and attend events.”
Mr. Rushworth is involved with the Metro Musicians and has played tuba with them on a regular basis for many years. He was a band director before becoming a school administrator.
“He holds arts in high regard, and I am fortunate to have such an advocate for fine arts in my corner,” Stephens added. “His reputation throughout the county is as someone who genuinely wants to see music be an integral part of education.”