Freeport High School chorus teacher Tom Koharchik rehearses the chorus. Koharchik has won the Pennsylvania Music Education Association´s 2018 Citation of Excellence in Teaching Award for District 3, which contains 28 school districts in Western Pennsylvania.

BUFFALO TWP — A Freeport High School chorus teacher recently won an award bestowed on only one music educator from 28 school districts in six counties.

Tom Koharchik, who teaches chorus at the high school, will receive the Pennsylvania Music Education Association's 2018 Citation of Excellence in Teaching award in April.

Koharchik has been teaching chorus in grades six through 12 at Freeport High School for 12 years.

“I'm very proud and humbled that somebody would take the time to acknowledge what we do here on a daily basis,” Koharchik said.

The busy educator also produces the senior play and musical at the school while directing the choir at North Hills Chorale in Pittsburgh as well as in his church.

He also serves as secretary and treasurer on the PMEA District 3 Executive Committee.

Koharchik was nominated by his Freeport High School colleague Chaz Shipman, who Koharchik also nominated for the award.

Patrick Scott, Freeport High's assistant principal, said Koharchik is dedicated to his craft of making a difference in the lives of students.

“He has the ability to relate to kids and is always a constant professional,” Scott said.

“It is no surprise to anyone here that he won the regional PMEA award for 2017-18.”

Koharchik said he became a music teacher to share his musical gifts.

“It's fun,” he said. “There's not a day where I feel like I'm working.”