TOLLESON, Ariz. — Efrain Casillas walks into the music room. It's empty, but there's a feeling of excitement as he gets ready to welcome his first group of students. He's ready to start the day.
"My favorite part is when I see the students are able to produce a nice sound and create something," he said. "There's a smile they give you that's worth thousands of dollars because it's from the heart."
Casillas has taught music for the past 24 years and was recently named Arizona's 2024 Teacher of the Year. The award is a big deal, not just for him, but for his students.
"He's the best teacher," Alexavier said. "He gave me that love to want to learn an instrument."
"Mr. Casillas is really great, he teaches us and gives us the opportunity to play," Lisette said.
"He's nice, he's inspiring," Nataly said. "He's a great teacher and he's fun and patient with us. He deserves it."
Casillas always knew he loved music. He said when he was 8 years old, he remembers sitting in church and being mesmerized by the songs and instruments.
"It was the sound, the colors of the sounds," he said. "It was a puzzle of sounds and they all came together and created great music."
He also watched his sister play the saxophone which, he says, inspired him even more to pick up an instrument. He was determined.
"During that time, we were going through some difficult times and my parents weren't able to purchase an instrument," he said. "I sold newspapers and collected the money to buy my first instrument that was a trombone. I then went to the church for lessons."
Playing the trombone quickly turned into something much deeper. He knew he wanted to share his love of music with others and became a teacher. 17 years ago he came to the Tolleson Elementary School District and hasn't looked back. He teaches a variety of classes at Desert Oasis Elementary and Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School.
"I have learned through my teaching career that if you work hard and do what you're supposed to do, good things will come your way," he said. "The students are great. One of the things I want to make sure is they get the best education they can get because that's what I would like for my kids to have."
Being named Arizona's 2024 Teacher of the Year was quite the surprise for Casillas. He said the pool of applicants initially began with more than 300 teachers from across the state. He never thought he'd be named the winner.
"I'm really happy for this opportunity and to represent all the teachers here in Arizona," he said. "I'm so grateful."
Casillas now is looking ahead, applying for the National Teacher of the Year award. However, his main priority is and always has been his students, who he says helped him get to where he is today.
"My biggest reward is knowing that I'm here because I have great students who are able to work with me," Casillas said. "The only way I'm able to be here is because of my students. If it wasn't for them who come everyday and come with a willingness to play I wouldn't be here."
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
12News on YouTube
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.