BETHEL, Ohio — A Bethel-Tate Middle School music teacher has been named one of Yamaha’s 40 Under 40 Music Educators for 2025, a national honor recognizing educators under age 40 for innovation and dedication to building their music programs.
Paul Glader was selected for the recognition, according to the district. The program, launched by Yamaha in 2021, honors educators who demonstrate action, courage, creativity and growth in music education, and draws hundreds of nominations from across the country each year.
Glader has led the middle school’s music program for six years, according to the district, and student participation has grown to more than 55% from about 25% under his leadership. The program has earned three national awards, from NAMM and Music for All, and its students have performed at state conferences and been selected for honor bands and choirs, the district said.
Glader also secured more than $50,000 in funding for instruments, choir risers and sound equipment for the program, according to the district.
Beyond the classroom, Glader has built a following of nearly 250,000 across TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, where he posts under the handle @TheDarthGlader, drawing more than 100 million views, the district said. He was named the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Teacher of the Year in 2022 and was a 2023 Ohio Department of Education Teacher of the Year nominee.
The information contained in this story was obtained from Bethel-Tate Local Schools.