Rust College music teacher received 2025 Humanities Teacher of the Year award

By Paula Anderson

According to a news release, Sonya Faulknor, assistant professor of Music and assistant choir director at Rust College, has been honored as the 2025 Humanities Teacher of the Year by the Mississippi Humanities Council.’ 

The MHC was founded in 1972 with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to help bring about social change, according to the website.  Faulknor was nominated through the vice-president of Academic Affairs office. 

Faulknor received the award based on her outstanding contributions to public engagement in humanities, according to the news release.  She is a native of Montego Bay, Jamaica but moved to the states in 2015.  Faulknor earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Alcorn State University and a master’s degree in music performance and education at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. 

Sonya Faulknor/Courtesy photo of Rust College

“Professor Faulknor has made an indelible contribution to the lives of not only her students who study with her privately, but the entire college student body that loves to engage her in conversation about their campus journeys. She is an impeccable artist, and a teacher that inspires, nurtures and instructs, always desiring to make them great. This award is deserving and as Dean of Humanities, I am honored to serve with her at Rust College,” Dr. Karl Twyner, dean of Humanities said. 

According to the release, “Faulknor delivered a captivating lecture recital titled “A Musical Exploration of Social and Cultural Change” before a packed audience February 28th.”

“Ms. Faulknor is a brilliant and talented woman, deeply devoted to both her craft and her students. Her unique teaching style has not only inspired social change but has also touched our hearts in ways that will stay with us forever. Through her creative lessons, she has shown us that music is a powerful tool for unity, justice, and understanding. Her passion for social change, combined with her ability to connect history, culture, and the arts, has motivated us to stand up for what

we believe in. Her hard work and dedication have truly made a difference in our lives. She has encouraged us to find our voices and use them to create positive change in the world. Thank you, Professor Faulknor, for being an incredible educator and role model!,” stated Katlyn King, student at Rust College. 

Faulknor will receive her award on March 28 at the Public Humanities Awards Gala in Jackson, Mississippi.