PRINCETON — Princeton High School Music Director Brandon Crawford has been selected as BCR Teacher of the Year.

Crawford, who has been at PHS since 2010, said he’s very humbled to have been selected by readers to receive the honor.

“It’s nice to get that confirmation that you’re doing the right thing,” he said.

“First and foremost, it was great just to be on that list,” Crawford remarked, “There’s not a teacher in Bureau County that doesn’t deserve it.”

Crawford heads a robust music program. He says next year there will be 133 students enrolled in concert choir, 35 in sophomore choir, 55 in freshman in choir and another 20-25 students that participate in band but not choir.

With 248 students participating in the program, PHS has a nearly 50 percent participation rate, something Crawford thinks is pretty remarkable. “Whatever we’re doing (junior high instructor) Mr. Olson and I are doing, we’re doing it right,” he said.

“The best recruitment tool we have, though, are the kids themselves,” he said. “We’re also very blessed with PHS administration, staff, guidance department, our community and parents who appreciate and support the arts here.”

“I teach an elective class, kids don’t have to take it they choose to,” he said. “The arts are truly important to a well-rounded education. There’s just something the arts give to kids that they may not get otherwise.”

Crawford said he wasn’t always on a path to music education. As a student, he had a talent for it, but it wasn’t until he attended a show choir camp at Eastern Illinois University as a high school senior that really cemented his further career.

“That week really opened a door for me, seeing this as a possibility. It was huge for me and changed my perspective. Now, I always joke with the administration that I can’t believe they pay me to teach their kids music.”

As for his favorite group to teach? Crawford at first claims not to have one. “Every group has strengths and weaknesses, so every group I have, I get to do something different. Music can’t ever be perfect,” he said.

“I guess if I have to give an answer what my favorite group is, it would be whatever group I’m with.”