New Jersey 'Teacher Of The Year' Changing Lives At Pascack Valley High

HILLSDALE, N.J. — Pascack Valley High School's Argine Safari was named New Jersey's 2016-17 Teacher of the Year by Classroom Close-Up NJ.

Argine Safari teaches music at Pascack Valley High School.
Photo Credit: *Classroom Close-Up*

Jerry DeMarco

03/09/2017 7:00 p.m.

Safari, who was born in Armenia, teaches music at the high school.

"I truly believe that music and arts have this transformative power," Safari told Classroom Close-Up. "We can actually change lives."

Safari is an award-winning music educator, advocate, vocal coach, clinician and conductor. She is active as a pianist and vocalist, having performed at Carnegie Hall, MSG and Zankel Hall.

"While her school is 88 percent white, she makes sure that the small population of other cultures is accepted and made to feel included and comfortable," Classroom Close-Up said.

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