The Country Music Association Foundation is honoring a Brooklyn teacher for making a positive impact on students through music.

Ryan Mack received the CMA Music Teacher of Excellence Award for the work he does at P.S. 10 in Park Slope. He is one of 30 teachers across the country who has been recognized with this award.  

“What we’re doing matters,” says Mack. “It has purpose, it has benefits for our community.” 

Saskia De Vries says Mack has made a lasting impact on her two children and inspired their love for music.  

“It’s just really fun to have a teacher bring out something in your kid that you didn’t know was there,” says De Vries.  

All of Mack’s fifth grade students agree that he’s the right person for the award.  

"He's basically like a special teacher to me, because every time I'm a little mad, he'll just give me help,” says fifth grader R.J.