Hurst Wins Henry Co. Teacher Excellence Award

Matthew Hurst is the winner of the Teacher Excellence Award, given annually by the Henry County Community Foundation to a teacher who went above and beyond in the classroom.

After receiving several nominations, a committee of three judges from outside of the county chose the winner.

The person who nominated him, who wished to remain anonymous, said "Everyone can't be a star, but when you have a teacher and music director like Mr. Hurst, everyone can be somebody. That has a ripple effect for a better community and society."

Hurst is the lead choir director at New Castle Community Schools. During this year's presentation of their Spring Sing performances, Hurst was pulled onto the stage and surprised with the award.

Once the concert ended, Hurst reflected on what this award means to him: “I am honored and deeply humbled by the Community Foundation’s choice," he said. "I push my students daily to be better individual singers, and together be a better choir than the day before.‘It’s truly about the growth. The kids grow in confidence, grow in musical successes, and in turn, the program grows. But it’s the little daily victories that give me the most joy. Perhaps someday, one of my own students will earn this award as well!"