PR2010 Jun 16 COATS

SHELTON STATE INSTRUCTOR NAMED 2010 ALABAMA MUSIC TEACHER OF THE YEAR

TUSCALOOSA – Syble Coats, music instructor and Fine Arts Division Chair for Shelton State Community

College, is the recipient of the 2010 Alabama Music Teacher Association Teacher of the Year award.

The award recognizes excellence in teaching, musicianship, and service to AMTA and to the community.

Throughout her successful 39-year career, Coats has gained recognition from colleagues, former students, and

members of the community for her exceptional teaching, musicality, and organizational talents.

A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, she joined the faculty at Shelton State Community College as an

adjunct instructor before becoming full-time in 1983. She became the Fine Arts Division Chair in 2009. An

active member of AMTA for more than 35 years, she has held several important positions on the organization’s

executive board and was an original member of the local West Alabama Music Teachers Association.

Coats received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Alabama, where she was a

student of Amanda Penick. In 2005, her Shelton State colleagues honored her as the recipient of the Dr. and Mrs.

John Todd Award for exceptional achievement in teaching. She also received the community’s Druid Arts

Award as Music Educator of the Year in 2005.

Whether serving as the organist for Forest Lake United Methodist Church, accompanying for Shelton State or

other special events, or serving local organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Coats is an active member in the

West Alabama community. As an educator, countless students speak of her inspiration, of her ability to

motivate, and of the life lessons that they learned from her investment in not only their education, but in their

lives. Her passion for teaching and drive for student success have enabled Syble Coats to exhibit the level of

excellence recognized by the AMTA. “What is most rewarding to me is to see young people who want to study

music develop and improve,” says Coats. “It is my goal, and the expectation of what we do at Shelton State, to

provide students with something that they can use for the rest of their lives.”

For more information about the Fine Arts Division at Shelton State Community College, visit the Web site,

www.sheltonstate.edu <http://www.sheltonstate.edu> , or call 205.391.2270.

Shelton State Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of

Colleges and Schools to award the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and the Associate in Applied Science

degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call

404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Shelton State Community College.

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