The Ohio String Teachers Association (OSTA) Board of Directors has selected Sara Given, Orchestra Director at Hilliard Heritage Middle School, as the 2025–26 OSTA School Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Given will be formally recognized during an awards ceremony on Thursday, January 29, at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Ms. Given teaches both middle and high school orchestra within Hilliard City Schools and brings a wealth of experience to the district. Prior to joining Hilliard, she taught in the New Albany-Plain Local and Centerville City Schools and served as a Master Teacher for The Ohio State University String Project.
She holds a Master’s Degree in String Music Education, with an emphasis in String Pedagogy, from The Ohio State University, and earned her undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education from Ohio University.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Ms. Given is a frequent guest conductor and clinician, presenting clinics for organizations such as the National Association for Music Education, the American String Teachers Association, the Ohio Music Educators Association, and the Midwest String Teachers Workshop. Her writing has been published in The Triad Journal for Music Education and Strings Magazine.
During the summer months, Ms. Given serves on the Junior Orchestras conducting staff at the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts.
Beyond music education, Ms. Given is also a freelance writer and published humorist. Her satirical book, Parenting Is Easy, is available through Workman Publishing.
Hilliard City Schools congratulates Ms. Given on this well-deserved honor and thanks her for her outstanding contributions to music education and student learning.
