Sunday night at the Grammy Awards was a night to remember for DeSoto High School’s choir director Pamela Dawson, who was named Music Educator of the Year.

This award has been handed out to individuals deemed as contributing most to the promotion and continuation of music education in public and private schools across the country each year since 2014.

Comedian and host of the Grammy Awards show, Trevor Noah, announced Dawson as the winner of the 2023 Grammy Music Educator Award on February 5.

Not only did Dawson take home this year’s Grammy Music Educator Award, but she also obtained $10,000 for herself and for her school’s music program.

Dawson beat out 206 other music teachers from 179 cities to win this award, presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Dawson moved to Texas in 2006.

Since Dawson’s takeover at DeSoto High School, the choir program has become nationally recognized and has won several competitions.

Some of the places Dawson’s choir has performed are in New York City at Carnegie Hall as well as at the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association’s national honor choir.

Arty Whittenberg, the assistant choir director at DeSoto High School, spoke to The Dallas Express about the momentous occasion for not only Dawson but for the program as well.

“I think it’s a great accomplishment, it’s well-deserved. I believe she has done everything as an educator, especially in music to deserve this honor,” said Whittenberg speaking to The Dallas Express.

“There’s not many people that receive accolades or are even acknowledged as educators of the year, [and] there’s only a special group of those people who make a specific change in student’s lives. I think Ms. Dawson is that perfect person that does that on a yearly basis, [and a] day-to-day basis,” Whittenberg told The Dallas Express.

Members of the DeSoto community took to social media to express how they felt about Dawson taking home a grammy.

DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor gave a statement to The Dallas Express voicing her support for Dawson.

“It doesn’t take a Grammy for our City to appreciate DeSoto High School Choir Director-extraordinaire Pam Dawson any more than we already do, but we are still extremely proud of this impressive recognition.

“Pam has worked with countless students over the years to bring out their voices and talents and to help them build a lifelong appreciation for music and the knowledge of where it can take you,” Mayor Proctor wrote to The Dallas Express.

“DeSoto applauds the Recording Academy’s recognition of Pam because it helps show the world the wonderful things that are coming out of our great City,” Mayor Proctor continued.

“DeSoto has worked hard to build and nurture an environment of learning for all of our residents, and it’s because of selfless and talented people like Pam that our City is thriving and that there is so much to love about DeSoto.”

Local radio station 97.9 The Beat took to Twitter to congratulate Dawson for her win.

“Congratulations to Desoto High School choir director Pamela Dawson for winning the 2023 Grammy Music Educator Award!” the tweet read.

Dawson has left an impact not only on her students but also on the DeSoto community, Whittenberg noted.

“I believe her winning this is well-deserved but most importantly is something that shows the community how much she’s involved in making sure every student, not just choir students, but students in general here in Desoto High School, making sure that they have what they need.

“Everybody calls her mama Dawson for a reason, she has been here establishing creating and building those relationships with students for almost two decades,” said Whittenberg.