Since she was in second grade, Tiffany Ruffo-Scott wanted to be a teacher; she just wasn’t sure what subject she would cover. As she progressed through middle and high school, playing the saxophone in band class, she found her calling to be a music teacher. She’s now in her 12th year as a music teacher and her ninth in the Locust Valley Central School District.
During her time in the district, Ruffo-Scott’s classes at Bayville Intermediate and Locust Valley Intermediate have been beloved by students for her passion and unique classroom staples, such as “Band Bucks,” which students can save up for good classroom work and participation and cash in for experiences like using a golden music stand, teaching the last five minutes of class or sitting in the part of the class of their choice. Her Band Karate program in the classroom shows their progress as students as they move up from belt to belt, giving her students, especially her fourth graders, more confidence in their growth.
“The special thing about music is that we’re creating this emotional bonding experience,” Ruffo-Scott said. “It’s not just memorizing something out of a textbook.”
Ruffo-Scott loves to put her music students in positions to succeed and lead. Concert preparation is one of the most exciting moments of the year, as fifth grade students progress from September to December before showcasing their efforts and growth at the winter concerts.
“We bite off little bits that we can chew and take it slow but we always get there,” Ruffo-Scott explained.
The spring concert provides a different challenge as it includes both the then-seasoned fifth graders and the newer fourth graders. To assist in acclimating the fourth graders, Ruffo-Scott pairs each of them with a fifth grader as a stand partner.
“That process is rewarding to see because they really are working together, and they see that we’re one, big team,” Ruffo-Scott said. “I know I can count on the fifth graders to step up and show leadership to guide everybody.”
That model has seen students grow as leaders and musicians, with the BI band members seeing high-level successes such as receiving a gold medal at NYSSMA majors in 2024 and earning a Superior rating with a score of 98 at the Long Island Music Festival in June 2025.
For Ruffo-Scott it is a surreal and beautiful experience to see students she taught in fourth and fifth grade continue their musical pursuits into middle and high school. Last year, she chaperoned for the high school trip to Disney World where she saw seniors who were part of her first class in the district performing and succeeding. Also, in 2025, James Martyn, one of Ruffo-Scott’s students from her demo class before she was even hired by the district, chose her to join him on stage as he was recognized as a Top 15 student.
“That’s the beauty of a small district like Locust Valley,” Ruffo-Scott said. “We get to see everybody grow up. I’m hoping to one day teach my current students’ families.”
In the meantime, Ruffo-Scott will help her own children find a love for music. She already has the trumpet and flute picked out for her 4-year-old, Bennett, and 2-year-old, Scarlett, respectively.