MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE

The 2025 Music Teachers of Excellence application is now closed.
Winners were announced on May 6, 2025.

Interested in applying for the 2026 Music Teachers of Excellence?
Applications will open on September 3, 2025.

WHAT 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. Stay tuned – The 2026 Music Teacher of Excellence application will open on September 3, 2025!

HOW TO APPLY

The application process includes narrative responses, recommendations and video lesson demonstration. The 2025 application is now closed. Winners were announced on May 6, 2025.

Interested in applying for the 2026 Music Teachers of Excellence? Applications will open on September 3, 2025.

FAQS
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 have won two years in a row must take (1) year off from applying.

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 the time of the award event.
  • 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.
  • 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

1


Read all criteria, application questions, and select who will complete your recommendations.

2


Begin your application right away to create your profile and send your recommenders links to complete.

3


Plan your video and lesson carefully, and prepare your narrative responses.

4


Confirm your recommendation questionnaires are submitted and complete the online application.

SELECTION PROCESS

STEP 1


The CMA Foundation staff will review all applications for due diligence. Only those applications that are completed will be passed along to the judging panel.

STEP 2


A national panel of education experts will screen applications. Judges may not review an application of someone they know personally or professionally.

STEP 3


The judging panel will review each application for completeness and adherence to selection criteria. Recommended finalists will be sent to the CMA Foundation for final review.

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

 

(615) 263-3631

[email protected]