Meet our Top 25 Semi-Finalists for the 2018 Music Educator of the Year Award!

Sometimes we forget just how much work music educators across the country put in to keep music programs alive. But, it’s programs like our annual Music Educator of the Year award that quickly remind us of the amazing impact educators have on students and their communities.

We received applications from all across the country for the Music Educator of the Year award and were left inspired by many of the recommendation letters and resumes we read. But, of all of the applications we received, only 25 music educators rose to the top of our list.

Congratulations to our 2018 Music & Arts Music Educator of the Year semi-finalists:

A.Danielle Gilliard                                                                        
Thomas Johnson Middle School, Lanham, MD
# of years teaching: 19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander Gittelman
Haverford Middle School, Havertown, PA
# of years teaching: 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Crittenden
Lexington Creek Elementary School, Missouri City, TX
# of years teaching: 28

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catherine Roe
Doris Stahl Junior High School, Puyallup, WA
# of years teaching: 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dan Davison
Ballou Junior High School, Puyallup, WA
# of years teaching: 39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Semos
Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Annapolis, MD
# of years teaching: 25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Matchim
Centennial High School, Ellicott City, MD
# of years teaching: 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Schopp
Hatboro-Horsham High School, Horsham, PA
# of years teaching: 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dylan Harlan
Katella High School, Anaheim, CA
# of years teaching: 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erin McConnell
West Genesee CSD, Camillus, NY|
# of years of teaching: 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irena Goren-Scheer
Pattonville School District, St. Ann, MO
# of years teaching: 17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jason Tucker
Rice Middle School, Plano, TX
# of years teaching: 23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Quamo
Mesa High School, Mesa, AZ
# of years teaching: 20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jorge Gardos
Community String Project, Warwick, RI
# of years teaching: 50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kaylene Evans
Concho Elementary, Concho, AZ
# of years teaching: 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly Callirgos
CHIME(Communities Honoring Inclusive Model Education), Woodland Hills, CA
# of years teaching: 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kerry Gillard
DuVal High School, Lanham, MD
# of years teaching: 18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Haugland
Lawrence Township Public Schools, Lawrenceville, NJ
# of years teaching: 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Ray Lawson
Cedarstone School of Music, Hendersonville, TN
# of years teaching: 33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Basham
C.D. Hylton Senior High School, Woodbridge, VA
# of years teaching: 27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas Luggerio
Atascocita High School, Humble, TX
# of years teaching: 21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard McCready
River Hill High School, Clarksville, MD
# of years teaching: 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott Cullen
Octorara Area Junior-Senior High School, Atglen, PA
# of years teaching: 18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ted Samodel
John B. Sliney Elementary School, Branford, CT
# of years teaching: 32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terrance Caviness Jr.
Fulton City Schools, Fulton, NY
# of years teaching: 30