Samantha Maltagliati is currently the Director of Bands at Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Florida. In her fourth year of teaching, she previously served as the Interim Director of Bands at Landmark Middle School (2024-2025) while servering her duties at Sandalwood. Ms. Maltagliati received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University and her Master of Arts Administration (Music) degree from Florida State University.
Under her leadership at Sandalwood High School, her students consistently earned superior ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association’s (FBA) district Marching Performance Assessments and concert band Music Performance Assessments. In 2024, the Sandalwood High School Chamber Winds also earned superior ratings at the FBA State Music Performance Assessment for the first time in 30 years. In 2025, the band was selected to perform at the Music for All UCF-Orlando Concert Band Invitational. In 2026, the Mighty Marching Saints were nominiated to perform at the 250th Anniversary for the Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. Numerous students from Ms. Maltagliati bands have been involved in FBA Solo and Ensemble events, and all-district honor bands.
Ms. Maltagliati is an active member of the Florida Music Education Association and the Florida Bandmasters Association.
"Although Samantha Maltagliati was in her first year as a high school band director, her program’s achievements suggest years of experience. She’s led her students to earn top ratings in marching, jazz, and concert performance assessments. Beyond these accolades, Samantha’s true strength lies in her unwavering commitment to her students. Her classroom is a warm, structured, and organized environment that enables her 120+ students to feel valued and included.
Samantha also goes above and beyond typical expectations for a high school band director. She provides numerous performance opportunities and is actively involved in the “Drum Major Leadership Academy,” a leading virtual platform for leadership and conducting education in marching arts. Samantha’s expertise also extends to presenting at conferences like the Tennessee Music Educator Association Conference and the Alabama Bandmasters Association Summer Conference. Her topics, “Building Your Dream Marching Ensemble” and “Developing A Higher Performing Student Leadership Team,” showcase her innovative approach to music education.
Samantha embodies the top qualities sought after in music educators: creativity, engagement, passion, kindness, and musical prowess. Her contributions make her a beacon of excellence in the field of music education, and it’s truly an honor to collaborate with her."
National Band Directors’ Day 2024 National Spotlight
Nominated by Chelsey Roberts, Educational Representative
Termarcus Mixon is the Percussion Director of Sandalwood High School. An alumnus of the Sandalwood Band Program, Termarcus Mixon brings over 20 years of dedicated teaching experience and bleeds "Blue and Gold". He graduated from Jacksonville University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education, following performances with the Jacksonville University Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, Orchestra, and the First Coast Wind Symphony.
With over 20 years of experience as a charter member of the Jacksonville Jaguars D-Line, he is still an active performer with the group, including high-profile performances at Super Bowl 39 in 2005- where he shared the stage with Snoop Dogg, Shania Twain, Kelly Clarkson, and Paul McCartney - as well as leading the Kickoff for NFL games in London.
Mixon has served as the Percussion Director and percussion music arranger for Sandalwood High School for 20 years, fostering a culture of excellence in his hometown. His extensive leadership also includes five years as the Percussion Director for Saints Indoor Percussion and ten years as a percussion clinician for Conflux Percussion.
Additionally, he has served as a band director at Landmark Middle School for 3 years, before his now present position as the band director at Fletcher Middle School. On Sundays, he is still actively cheering on the Jags on the D-Line.
Amanda Polatty is the Guard Director of Sandalwood High School. She is a proud graduate of Ridgeview High School, class of 2003, where her passion for colorguard first began. She performed with the Ridgeview High School Color Guard for two years while simultaneously beginning her instructional career, serving on staff for the winter guard program from 2003–2005. During that time, the program achieved competitive success and earned promotion within its class.
From 2004–2009, Amanda marched with Northeast Independent, one of Florida’s most accomplished independent winter guards and the only Florida team to earn a medal at Winter Guard International. During her time with the organization, the ensemble earned five gold medals and one silver medal within the Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit competitive circuit.
Amanda also marched with the legendary Phantom Regiment Drum Corps in 2006, earning a silver medal in Drum Corps International competition.
Outside of the marching arts, Amanda has been a successful business owner in Jacksonville since 2014, operating a full-service wedding planning, event production, and floral design company. Her background in leadership, logistics, creativity, and team development has become a strong asset in her educational and instructional roles.
Amanda currently serves as the Color Guard Director at Sandalwood High School. After stepping into the marching season midway through 2025, she helped lead the program into a new era focused on culture, accountability, growth, and excellence. She also co-coached the 2026 winter guard season, where the team earned a 4th place championship finish in its first year competing in a newly promoted class.
In addition to her instructional role, Amanda is also a proud Sandalwood band parent, with her oldest child currently performing as a percussionist in the marching band. She is also the Band Booster President. This unique perspective allows her to lead with both educator and parent insight while helping foster a strong sense of pride, accountability, and family within the program.
Amanda is passionate about creating an environment where students feel challenged, supported, and inspired both on and off the floor. Her goal is to build not only strong performers, but confident leaders and a lasting sense of family within the program.
