Music Educator of the Year Award

Recipients of the prestigious NMEA Music Educator of the Year Award display excellence in every facet of music teaching in Nebraska. Each year, nominations will be accepted for the following categories:

• Elementary Music Educator of the Year
• Middle Level Music Educator of the Year
• High School Music Educator of the Year
• K-12 Music Educator of the Year
• College/University Music Educator of the Year.

The application for the 2025 award will open in Summer 2025.

NOMINATION CRITERIA & REQUIRED MATERIALS

The purpose of this award is to recognize and honor an NMEA member for excellence in music education who has completed at least seven years of teaching. Please be sure to read through the criteria as all materials are needed to submit your nomination.

1. The nominee must be an NMEA member.

2. The nominee must have completed at least seven years of teaching. (K-12 Music Educator nominees must teach music classes at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.)

3. The nominee must be currently actively teaching at the nomination category.

4. A resume of the nominee must be included.

5. Three letters of recommendation must accompany the official nomination. These must be collected by the primary nominator and forwarded with the official nomination form. The following sources should be represented:

• A letter from an administrator from the nominee's current program
• A letter from another music educator
• A letter from a community stakeholder, parent, student, or another educator

Letters of recommendation should answer the following questions. Be brief but specific.

• In what ways has the nominee demonstrated by example the basic principles and characteristics of an outstanding music educator?
• In what ways does the nominee evidence excellence in music-making?
• How does the nominee demonstrate an interest in the total music education program?
• How has the nominee promoted equity, diversity, creativity, and innovation as a music educator among students, families, and their school community? 

The submission period has closed.

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