FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov.11 2015) -- Mamie Rush, a music teacher at Loyd Elementary School at Fort Benning, received the 2015 Secretary of Defense Award for Outstanding Department of Defense Employees and Service Members with Disabilities Oct. 29 at the Pentagon.

Despite a severe hearing disability that wasn't discovered until she was 18, Rush has been working as a teacher since 1981 and for Loyd Elementary since 1987. She started out as an early childhood educator, teaching kindergarten and first grade.

However, when the principal of Loyd Elementary, Julita Martinez, discovered that Rush was a talented singer, she asked her to consider becoming a music teacher.

"It was out of my comfort zone, but I was excited about the opportunity," said Rush. "So I earned my license to be a music teacher."

Since becoming a music teacher, the program - specifically the choir - has flourished under Rush's instruction, said Martinez. The program continues to grow and change the lives of the children who participate.

Rush was nominated for the award by Martinez, and received the news that she'd won in early September. Plans were made for her to attend the ceremony, and she was presented with the award by Brad Carson, acting under secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

"Finding out I won was amazing, but the ceremony was the best part," Rush said. "It was amazing to see the other recipients and hear their inspiring stories.

"I enjoy what I do; working with kids is a blessing and seeing how the educational system has evolved has kept me going," Rush said. "I look forward to many more years at Loyd, and many more years working with and for these children."