Avon Park Middle School music teacher Kevin Collier gives the students in his classroom and on campus a perspective not seen in the typical academic classroom setting.
He is Avon Park Middle School’s Teacher of the Year for 2027.
“A student’s experience in music/ensembles enhances their learning. Lifetime student to student relationships are made in a music classroom. The skills they learn in band/chorus can be taken throughout their life, whether they continue to sing in a church/community choir or (play in a) community band. I teach so that students have a good fundamental understanding of music and that they enjoy their experience,” Collier said.
Collier has worked at Avon Park Middle since 2003 teaching band, chorus and general music.
Growing up, he wanted to be a weatherman, but he developed an interest in music in high school.
“I was just really surprised, happy that they noticed what I’m doing with the kids. I’m honored … it was kind of out of the blue,” Collins said on receiving the award.
He plays mostly brass instruments – low brass tuba was his principle. In high school, he’d help fellow students change instruments to tuba.
He went to Florida State University and graduated with his bachelor of music education in 1992. He taught one year in the small town of Glenville, Georgia, in the “onion belt.” There, the school was smaller than the marching chiefs he said.
“Grades nine through 12 were smaller than 450, so it was a culture shock,” Collier said of Glenville, having grown up in Orlando and Winter Park.
After teaching at Hardee Junior High School for two years, he came to Sebring High School in 1995 until 2003 when he started at APMS. Since then, Collins said he’s had to reorganize his approach to teaching music as music isn’t being introduced to students in elementary schools.
Music programs have shrunk in Highlands County, meaning Collins is their first organized music experience in the classroom so he has to incorporate more of an “elementary, introductory” approach to music.
Two years ago he added a new class, explorations in music.
“I love teaching this class. I get to teach music to any 6th grader that wants to learn about music and discover its properties, abilities, structure, science, creativity, and more,” he said.
Collier is involved with the Heartland Cultural Alliance and credits Fred Leavitt with teaching him how to lead and instruct an African drumming class.
He said when the Alliance learned about the funding shortfall for the 2026 Heartland Honor Band, the members quickly offered to do what they could to help keep the program alive. The Alliance has also offered to help recruit music teachers for the area where there is a shortage of music programs.
Avon Park Middle School Principal Kim Riley said Collier has “dedicated more than three decades to inspiring students through the power of music.”
Gaylin Thomas, president of the Heartland Cultural Alliance, said Collier’s passion and commitment inspire students to succeed. “His leadership in the classroom and in the arts community makes a lasting impact on our schools and our region,” she said.
“I teach so that students get to discover a bit of their hidden abilities,” Collier said.