MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE

The 2026 Music Teachers of Excellence application has closed.
Semi-finalists were announced December 10!
Honoree finalists will be announced in May 2026!

WHO IS A MUSIC TEACHER OF EXCELLENCE?

The Music Teachers of Excellence award supports educators who demonstrate exemplary teaching and student learning, and are committed to making a positive impact on their school and community while raising awareness for the broader cause of music education. In addition, the ideal candidate can confidently overcome challenges in the classroom and is constantly seeking opportunities to continue to develop themselves professionally.
Your dedication deserves center stage.

NOMINATE A TEACHER FOR 2027

HOW TO APPLY

The application process is divided into two phases. Applications were due November 13, 2025 and semi-finalists were announced December 10 with an invitation to complete Phase 2.

SEE SEMIFINALISTS
CRITERIA

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 month, 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.

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 though community engagement and/or service-learning opportunities
  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to music education for ALL through advocacy in both school and community settings

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 promotes 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
BENEFITS
  • $5,000 award ($2,500 to classroom, $2,500 to support you personally)
  • World-class professional development day
  • Professional headshots
  • Networking opportunities with other educators and notable industry
    professionals
  • A red carpet evening event in Nashville to celebrate your achievement
  • Media and press coverage
  • Recognition and appreciation for the hard work you do
APPLICATION AND AWARDS 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 winning music teachers may win the award two years in a row. After winning two consecutive years, the teacher must take a year off before applying again.
  • 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 the 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.
APPLICATION STEPS

STEP 1


Phase 1 of Music Teachers of Excellence application opened on September 3, 2025.

STEP 2


Phase 1 of Music Teachers of Excellence application closed on November 13, 2025.

STEP 3


An esteemed group of secrete adjudicators reviewed all applications in three categories: National, Tennessee, and Metro Nashville Public Schools.

STEP 4


Semi-finalists were announced in December 2025 and invited to complete Phase 2 of the application, due February 19, 2026.

STEP 5


Final adjudication will begin. All Finalists will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week – May 2026.

For more information about the Music Teachers of Excellence application, please contact the CMA Foundation team.

 

(615) 263-3631

[email protected]