When Tony Schillaci showed up from Michigan to start his new job as band director at Santa Fe High School four years ago, many of the people in the school's administration were confused. One told him, "I'm not even sure we have a band program."

That first semester, he started out with just 15 students in the marching-band camp — not a good sign. He's up to 45 students in the band program now, and expects 60 next year. He also teaches band at six other middle and elementary schools.

Considered a "teacher who has touched the lives of hundreds of elementary-school students," by one of his nominators, Schillaci was the fifth teacher to be honored with a Teacher Who Inspires award this year.

He received the news at the end of Santa Fe High's robing ceremony at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on Wednesday evening.

Schillaci was surprised by the announcement, and responded by telling a joke that is making the rounds of the school:

"How many Mr. Schillacis does it take to screw in a light bulb?"

"None — he gets his freshmen to do it."

Some of his students swarmed him after the ceremony. One, senior Willa James, said, "He is my role model." Another, Brittany Olson, said, "He's made us who we are today."

Schillaci's wife, Kristin, a fine-art photographer, said the honor makes all the late nights and long hours he puts in on the job worth it. "A little recognition can go a long, long way," she said.

Schillaci admitted he had been considering skipping out of the robing ceremony before it ended. "I'm glad I didn't leave," he said.

The sixth and last Teacher Who Inspires ceremony will take place sometime next week.

Contact Robert Nott at 986-3021 or rnott@sfnewmexican.com.