Zachary Arenz is an elementary school music teacher at Flower City School No. 54 in the Rochester City School District (RCSD) in Rochester, N.Y. His enthusiasm for music and teaching were ignited growing up on Long Island, surrounded by educators and being enveloped by music. These passions were further cultivated while attending the State University of New York at Fredonia, where Arenz earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in music education in 2010 and 2012, respectively.

Arenz began teaching at Internationella Engelska Skolan in Eskilstuna, Sweden. Following this experience, he returned to New York and began working in the RCSD, where he’s taught since 2013. His teaching experiences encompass elementary through high school in vocal, general and instrumental music settings.

Arenz was  previously recognized as a New York State Teacher of the Year finalist (2023), RCSD Educator of the Year (2021) and awarded the Career-In-Teaching New Teacher Award (2015), all recognizing an outstanding commitment to high-quality educational experiences. As an education leader, he focuses on improving academic culture through the lens of restorative practice and increasing inclusivity and representation in all content areas.

Arenz is a relentless advocate for schools to integrate the arts and social-emotional learning into student learning and teacher wellbeing while recognizing and celebrating diversity. Outside the classroom, Arenz is a practicing musician, restorative practices facilitator and serves on the New York State School Music Association’s Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Representation Committee.