Rules

Qualifications 

The Music Teachers of Excellence award is open to full-time, public-school music teachers who have at least 4 years of experience. Teachers who won the previous year must take a year off before applying again.

 

Evaluation Criteria 

The entirety of this application and process has been reviewed by and based on the recommendations of teachers. The application responses and all supporting materials should provide a comprehensive overview with clear evidence from the last 12 months, unless otherwise noted, based on the following focus areas.  

 

Professional and Personal Growth 

• Contributing to local, state, and national music organizations and conferences 
• Continued education through advanced degrees or certifications 
• Seeks musical and non-musical self-learning opportunities to enhance effectiveness in the classroom 
• Volunteering in your local community, such as serving local organizations, schools, committees, etc. 

 

Student Learning and Engagement 

• Utilizes teaching strategies that actively engage students in learning with and from their peers 
• Creates an inclusive learning community in which all students are valued and can experience success 
• Develops lessons that promote student curiosity, interest, and creativity 
• Demonstrates effective classroom management based on clear expectations for all students 
• Uses standards-based learning objectives and valid assessment tools as a means to provide student feedback in order to inform teacher lesson implementation 
• Implements best teaching and performance practices to provide age-appropriate learning activities in non-performance and performance-based music classes 

 

School and Community Contributions 

• Cultivates a culture of appreciation for music learning and participation within the school environment 
• Functions as a consistent and positive role model through community engagement and/or service-learning opportunities 
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to music education for ALL through advocacy in both school and community settings 

 

Application and Award Guidelines 

• Music Teachers may apply for the award within their fourth year of teaching. All teachers must have completed four full years of teaching by June, 2026.   
• Any current or previous adjudicator may not apply to be a Music Teacher of Excellence.  
• Previous winners must take a ‘gap year’ before applying again. Teachers may not win in two consecutive years. 
• Teachers may win a total of three (3) times in their music teaching career.  
• Selected Music Teachers of Excellence will receive $2,500 for personal use and $2,500 for their music classroom.  
• The $2,500 music classroom grant will always go to the school that was represented in the original application. If a teacher transitions to a school, for example, over the summer, the grant funds will still be sent to the original school in the application. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.