Cheryl Scheidemantle Named CMEA Southwest Section Teacher of the Year

Poly is thrilled to announce that Lower School Instrumental Music Teacher Cheryl Scheidemantle was named California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Southwest Section Teacher of the Year. Nominated by Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Teacher Dr. Megan Foley, who serves on the board of the Southwest Section for CMEA, Cheryl was chosen because of her love of her students and her uncompromising attention to detail. She was honored at the California Music Educators Winter Conference.

“She holds her students to a really high standard and manages to make learning music fun,” said Dr. Foley. “She loves to play but is also supportive. She’s a strong teacher and a great musician.”

Cheryl said, “I was touched and surprised to be nominated for, and then awarded, the California Music Educators Association 2025 Music Educator award. The day-to-day rewards of teaching music are experienced in a student’s incremental improvement as an artist and as a person. These improvements are sometimes barely perceptible in the near term and come into focus only later in the rear-view mirror, as we see where the student began and how far they’ve come.“ 

“The same can be said for a career in teaching. Receiving this award allowed me to look back over the last 35 years in teaching and growing with many Poly students, celebrating their growth and successes with pride. The awards ceremony highlighted music educators whose passion was reflected in their dedication to their craft and their inspiration of students through music. I felt so very fortunate to be considered a part of that group,” she reflected.

Congratulations, Cheryl, from all the students who have passed through your classroom and the entire Poly community!