Kami Lunsford has been sharing her love of learning and music with students, teachers, and future educators across Tennessee for most of her life. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Lunsford became the chorus director at Karns Middle School in Knoxville, Tennessee. She uses singing, guitar, ukulele, and percussion to help sixth- through eighth-grade students find their place and promote personal and academic success. Lunsford operates after-school programs in theater and advanced music that expose students to careers and other possibilities in the arts. Her ensembles have performed in nine states and extensively in Tennessee—including recording at Studio B in Nashville and performing live at Graceland in Memphis. Many of her students have pursued careers in music performance and music business, as well as theater and fine arts education.

Two-time Teacher of the Year for her district, Lunsford consistently answers the call to serve through leadership and collaboration on public education improvement. She actively supports Tennessee teachers and pre-service teachers as an evaluator and mentor, and she is the TAA Alumni Association president, as well as a facilitator & podcast host for the Tennessee Arts Academy at Belmont University. Lunsford credits visionary K-12 teachers in her rural, west-Tennessee upbringing for her passionate desire to close the opportunity gap so all kids can shoot for the stars. She counts the privilege of using the arts to help students build a better life as “the best job in the world.”