YOUR EVERYDAY TEACHER WORKING TO MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT

A Christian who just so happens to be a Band Director

Joseph Stivers was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a proud product of JCPS, graduating from Louisville Male High School in 2002. Stivers completed his undergraduate studies at Morehead State University, receiving his Bachelor of Music Education (BME). His graduate studies were conducted at the University of Louisville, receiving a Masters of Teacher Leadership in Middle School Education. Mr. Stivers will have completed his Rank I at Morehead State University by 2022. Stivers first four years of teaching were at Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North which is the only all-boys middle school in JCPS. In his four years as the director of bands, the program grew from 85 members to 120. The band went from receiving Apprentice to Distinguished ratings at the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) Music Festival. Stivers transferred to Crosby in the fall of 2012. Since his hire at Crosby, the “tradition of excellence” continues as students earn consistent Distinguished ratings at KMEA events. Numerous students are selected for the JCPS All-County Music Festival, Morehead State University Tri-State Honor Band Clinic, Louisville Youth Orchestra, KBO All-State Band, and much more. Stivers was selected as the 2010 KMEA District-12 Middle School Music Teacher of the Year and in 2016 was a nominee for Kentucky Teacher of the Year. The Crosby Band marched in the 2013 and 2018 Light Up Louisville Parade and was coined as “The Mayor’s Band” by Mayor Greg Fischer. In 2014 and 2018, Crosby Band placed first overall at the Music in the Parks Music Festival in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (2014) and Atlanta, Georgia (2018). Stivers served as the KMEA District-12 High School Band Chair and was also the guest conductor of the 2017 JCPS All-County 5th Grade Band. Awarded to only one band director in the state, Stivers was honored to receive the 2016 Phi Beta Mu “Outstanding Young Band Director Award”. In March of 2017, the Crosby Band was invited to perform at the 2nd Annual Phi Beta Mu Concert Festival for the state of Kentucky. In April 2019, Stivers received the Hilliard Lyons Excellence Award for Middle School Teacher and was named a Marquis Who’s Who Educator. Crosby Band was honored to perform at the 2020 KMEA Professional Development Conference. The last time Crosby performed at this prestigious conference was in 1977. Stivers received the 2020 Brianly Online Educator of the Year Award during COVID-19 Non-Traditional Instructional Days. As of 2021, Stivers was awarded the LG&E ExCEL Middle School Teacher of the Year Award.  Stivers also currently serves as the KMEA Middle School Band Chair for District-12. Joseph is happily married to his wife Lindsay. They are proud parents of Harrison (8 years) and Graham (6 years).