Phil R. Wilson, the 2010-11 Alabama Teacher of the Year was the featured speaker at the Troy Elementary School Black History program Friday.

Wilson delighted TES students as he led them in scat singing, which is the singing of non-sense syllables.

“Many African Americans have risen above adversity and become famous for doing things that others said they could not do,” Wilson said. “All of you can become what you want to be if you believe and work hard.”

Wilson pointed out to the students that he has received the highest state honor an Alabama teacher can received.

“Because I worked hard and believed.”

Wilson told the students that they can reach even higher, to national and international levels if they follow their dreams.

Wilson has taught music at Ogletree Elementary School in Auburn for the past nine years.

Before accepting the teaching position at Auburn, Wilson taught at Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Georgia. His duties there included directing the chorus assisting the band director and directing literary activities.

Wilson graduated from Troy University with a bachelor’s degree in music education and went on to pursue a master’s of education degree from Auburn University in 2007. He became a national board certified teacher in the area of early and middle childhood music.