Choir director Tyler Alessi was recognized as one of four winners of the 2024-25 IUSD Teacher of Promise award on Jan. 23.
The award honors first or second year teachers for their enthusiasm and curiosity about teaching. Alessi, the only high school teacher to receive the honor, was nominated by instrumental music directors Ben Case, Whitney Tavlarides and Cole Quizon for his efforts to engage students and expand their musical literacy. This was the first time since 2013-14 that a Northwood teacher received this award.
“I was very honored, humbled and of course really surprised,” Alessi said. “In music, we have to be curious about how we learn music, make sound and interact with each other. It’s not easy and takes a lot of work and discipline so we really try to build the idea of having fun but being disciplined in the classroom.”
In just two years, Alessi has implemented a student government within choir, developed singers’ individual skills and encouraged students to be emcee performances.
“It makes it a lot easier for us choral presidents to share the wants and needs of other kids in choirs to Dr. Alessi that he may not know about,” choir president senior Ronith Anand said. “It has also helped bring people together more as we communicate with students a lot more too on new things they want to see in the program.”
Alessi will be honored alongside other recipients at a ceremony held by IUSD in March. In the meantime, he will be preparing his students for the Spring concerts and their Chicago tour.
“When I first joined choir, I didn’t have a lot of confidence and Dr. Alessi saw through this, and helped me find my confidence,” Concert Chorale tenor singer sophomore Arsh Gupta said. “He taught us a lot of exercises to open up our voice and made us do it loudly which is why I could break past my mental comfort zone and a solo at the choir Pops Concert last year.”
