Lamar Middle School Band Director, San Juanita “Janie” Rodriguez a distinguished music educator with more than three decades of service, has been elected as the Region 14 President of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) State Board of Directors. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in a career defined by transformational leadership, student success, and unwavering dedication to the power of music education.
I’m extremely honored to be selected TMEA Region 14 President,” said Rodriguez. “This position of leadership is a position of service and a voice to keep advocating for Music Education to better our future generations.”
Throughout her career, Rodriguez’s band program has equipped students with discipline, perseverance, and teamwork skills that extend well beyond the classroom and shape future leaders. Rodriguez has consistently demonstrated that hard work, paired with strong guidance, leads to extraordinary achievement.
From her early success guiding a high school wind ensemble to First Division honors, to her return to her alma mater as a woodwind instructor, she has cultivated generations of high-achieving musicians earning All-Region, All-Area, and All-State recognition. In 1998, Rodriguez transitioned to middle school education, where she discovered a passion for building foundational excellence. Her leadership at M.B. Lamar Middle School has been particularly impactful.
Under her direction, the M.B. Lamar Honors Winds has achieved sustained excellence, including 12 consecutive UIL Sweepstakes Awards, State recognition through the TMEA Honor Band process, and a featured performance at the 2025 TMEA Convention. The program’s clinic, “A Successful Program without Borders,” highlighted her commitment to intentional, student-centered teaching.
“I have a simple yet powerful belief: hard work yields lasting rewards, and the lessons learned through music endure for a lifetime. My philosophy is that music is far more than performance—it is a vehicle for lifelong success,” said Rodriguez. “My students’ achievements remain my greatest source of pride, as they grow into leaders and innovators shaped by their experiences in the band program,” said Rodriguez.
Beyond the classroom, Rodriguez has been a tireless advocate for music education. She has served multiple terms as Region 14 Vice-President for TMEA, contributed as a UIL adjudicator and clinician across Texas, and participated in statewide initiatives such as the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee and the UIL Music Advisory Committee.
Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Women Band Directors International, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. In 2020, she was inducted into Phi Beta Mu, an international bandmaster fraternity recognizing excellence in the field.
Rodriguez’s contributions extend deeply into her community, where she has served in leadership roles within charitable and faith-based organizations. Her dedication has earned her multiple honors, including Golden Apple nominations and recognition as a Teacher of the Year candidate.
Her recent selection as the 2025–2026 Honoree for the Dr. William P. Foster Project Community Development Award further underscores her profound impact on students, schools, and the broader community. She was recognized at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, in December, 2025.
At the core of Ms. Rodriguez’s work is a simple yet powerful belief: hard work yields lasting rewards, and the lessons learned through music endure for a lifetime. Her students’ achievements remain her greatest source of pride, as they grow into leaders and innovators shaped by their experiences in her program.
As she steps into her new role as Region 14 President, Rodriguez will oversee music education programs across a vast region spanning Victoria, Corpus Christi, and Laredo, continuing her mission to elevate music education and inspire excellence across Texas.
Raised in Laredo, Texas, with formative summers in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, Rodriguez developed a strong work ethic instilled by her family. Her musical journey began in middle school and continued through high school, laying the groundwork for a career built on excellence and mentorship. She later earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where she performed at prestigious events, including the Midwest Clinic International Conference and the Texas Music Educators Association Convention with her University & Community groups.