Arts High School’s Kennis Fairfax Named Educator of the Year

NEW YORK CITY – Veteran Arts High School teacher Kennis Fairfax was honored as Educator of the Year by Seton Hall University’s Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute, recognizing his more than half-century of dedicated service to Newark Public Schools students.

Fairfax is a visual arts teacher who is also an accomplished and known musician. He is celebrated as a mentor to many prominent artists – including Michael B. Jordan, Sabrina Dias, Grizel del Valle, and Frankie Negron – and founder of the renowned Arts High School Latin Band. He received Educator of the Year award at Cipriani Wall Street, where he was recognized alongside Sonia Manzano (known to generations as Sesame Street’s Maria), ESPN sportscaster Fernando Palomo, and Rafael Toro, Goya Foods’ Director of Public Relations.

Guided by his philosophy that “it’s all about the kids,” Fairfax has earned widespread respect and affection from generations of students, who fondly call him “Mr. Fax.”

“Teaching music at Arts High School has been one of the great privileges of my life,” said Fairfax. “I’ve had the joy of watching so many students grow not only as musicians but as people who love and respect the art form. This recognition is really for them, the students who make the music and give it meaning.”

District and school officials offered their congratulations to Fairfax.

“For more than five decades, Kennis Fairfax has inspired generations of Newark students to discover their voices through music,” said Superintendent León. “His impact goes far beyond the classroom. He has built a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and joy that continues to resonate across our schools and our city.”

“Mr. Fairfax represents the heart and soul of Arts High School,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “His passion for music and commitment to our students exemplify what it means to be an educator in Newark. This recognition from Seton Hall University is a tribute to a lifetime of service that has uplifted countless young people.”

“Kennis Fairfax has devoted his career to nurturing talent and instilling confidence in his students,” said Regina Sharpe, Principal of Arts High School. “Through his leadership and the success of the Latin Band, he has shown our young artists what is possible when dedication meets creativity. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.”

The highlight of the evening came when the Arts High School Latin Band, which Fairfax founded 20 years ago, took the stage, sharing it with Tito Puente Jr., son of the legendary “El Rey de los Timbales.” Puente Jr. has built a celebrated career of his own, delivering live performances that fuse jazz, Latin, salsa, merengue, and mambo.

Also performing with the band was Miguel Rodriguez Bermudez, the baritone saxophone player who made headlines last June with Superintendent León when the Superintendent offered him a teaching position on stage at the Arts High School graduation.