Rocky Heights celebrates its first Apple Award finalist
Article by Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of Amy Shanahan
Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) is proud to announce its first Apple Award finalist in the school’s five year history. Mike Stroman, the band, orchestra and jazz band teacher for sixth through eighth grades at RHMS, is in his thirtieth year of teaching and is well deserving of the nomination.
A dedicated and talented teacher, Stroman has perpetuated his love for teaching music by supervising more than 15 student teachers throughout his career. As Stroman said, “I’m a firm believer that education truly is a life-long process. As individuals, we continuously learn, grow, and push ourselves to be the best that we can be. And as teachers, it is our responsibility to give our students the tools necessary to realize their full potential in order to positively impact the world they prepare to enter.”
Stroman, a 23 year resident of Highlands Ranch, grew up on a farm near Greeley. He knows the meaning of hard work and tries to instill that same work ethic in his students.
“Music is not easy,” Stroman says, “It’s something that definitely requires hard work and dedication. It is my belief that if students are challenged and have the needed tools and skills, they will rise to the challenge and succeed.” Stroman went on to say, “My students always rise to accomplish the challenges that are presented in my classroom.”
Stroman has a bachelor of Music Education and a master of Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado Greeley. He has also taken a number of graduate-level courses in music, education, and music appreciation at several universities from 1986 to 2008. Stroman is an inspiration to students and staff alike at RHMS. We wish him the best in his Apple Award journey.
