Chad was nominated for his beliefs in the power and beauty of music. For over ten years, Chad has set high goals and expectations for every student in his class, guiding them to find the enriching power of music themselves. He believes each student can develop musical skill which is reflected in his classroom management style combining individual, group, and class instruction. He encourages the use of Smart Music, a research-based technological music program, for individual and group practice. Although he offers instruction to beginning, intermediate, advanced, and jazz bands, he insists each group play music at challenging levels. Over the years, Mr. Guess has consistently demonstrated success in the high number of superiors in sight reading and musical performances as measured by FBA and regional competitions as well as the numbers of students who have qualified for all-county and all-state band. To maintain this high level of student musical achievement, Chad establishes strong relationships with all his students. Mr. Guess chooses to know the strengths and areas of needed improvement for each of his students. Special education students report they love his class because he makes them feel capable and talented. Chad has worked collaboratively with a variety of chorus and orchestra instructors at SMS to build a highly effective music program that offers a variety of opportunities to musically talented students and provides a plethora of entertaining musical performances for the Seminole community.

Chad’s remarkable relationships with students and their families are his measure of success. His ability to read the talent and needs of all his students and to initiate instruction programs and opportunities of performance and composition has led to the creation of thousands of students who love music, its power and beauty, and who have grown into accomplished adult musicians because of his quest for musical excellence.

Education -
BMMEd - University of
North Alabama

Current Position -
6th-8th Grade Band Teacher - Seminole Middle