NOMINATION, REVIEW, AND PRESENTATION

 

MMEA/NAfME current members OR school administrators can award candidates by completing the online nomination form. All forms must be filled out completely in order to be considered.

 

The Awards Committee will serve as judges to review the nominations and select the eligible candidates.  Awards recipients will be contacted via email once the review process is complete.

Awards may be given annually, however, if there are not sufficient candidates, some categories may not be awarded.

 

AWARDS PRESENTATION

 

Awards will be presented annually at an Awards Reception on the Saturday evening of the Annual State Conference (specific day/time TBA).  A letter of distinction will be sent to the appropriate administrator for the award recipient’s personnel file (if applicable).  Recognition of the recipients will be included on the MMEA website homepage, the awards webpage, MMEA social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), in emails to the members, district supervisors, and other stakeholders.

 

TIMELINE

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August - Information updated on Website & Forms Open

September 5 - MMEA Nominations Open

December 6 - MMEA Awards Nominations Close

December  8 to 15 - Committee Review

December 18 - Awards Decided 

December 20 - Awardees notified - Gather Information 

January - Awardees Announced

February 24 - Awards Ceremony @ Conference 

 

AWARDS DESCRIPTIONS

All nomination forms are linked at the end of the descriptions.

 

Outstanding Music Educator

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Award Description

This award recognizes and honors music educators for their outstanding service to the music students in public, private, or independent schools in the State of Maryland.

 

This award will be given in three categories:  

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Career - a tenured educator with six or more years of teaching experience

New - a tenured educator with one to five years of teaching experience

Retired -  an educator who has retired from teaching music

 

Note: Membership is not required for administrators wishing to nominate their colleagues. Membership IS required for educators wishing to self-nominate or nominate a colleague. 

 

Nominee Qualifications

1. Must be an MMEA/NAfME Member at the time of nomination

2. Must be a Maryland music educator who has taught a minimum of six years (career teacher) or one year (new teacher). 

 

Leadership Criteria

1. Consistently produces/produced music groups of high-performance level. 

2. Consistently performs/performed programs of high musical quality. 

3. Has made an outstanding contribution to the community and to the state through music. 

4. Has made outstanding contributions to the improvement of music groups in Maryland through participation and leadership in professional organizations. 

5. Must have had student participation in honors performing groups such as All County or All State groups when appropriate. 

6. Has hosted student teachers, meetings, festivals and/or presented workshops, clinics, adjudicated or guest conducted ensemble groups. 

7. Has written articles for various music journals and/or participated in curriculum work. 

8. Maintains/maintained contact with feeder schools where applicable and encourages students to continue their music education. 

 

Professional Growth Criteria

1. Continues to improve knowledge by enrolling in education courses for advanced degrees by attending workshops, in-service programs, clinics etc.

2. Has been recognized by area organizations, school PTA or community groups.

 

Human Relations Criteria

1. Demonstrates/demonstrated a caring attitude toward students and serves as an excellent role model. 

2. Has received letters in their personnel file from students, colleagues, parents, and/or supervisor/administrator relating to contributions to the growth of students. 

3. Demonstrates/demonstrated the ability to inspire students to learn. 

4. Encourages and helps students to build self-esteem and confidence. 

5. Works cooperatively with total school staff, parents, and community. 

6. Encourages diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) in their teaching.

7. Demonstrates performance above and beyond the call of duty. 

 

Outstanding School Administrator
 

Award Description

This award is to recognize non-arts administrators who are music advocates and supporters, working with the music team to build incredible music programs for their schools and communities. 

 

Note: Membership is not required for administrators wishing to nominate their colleagues. Membership IS required for educators wishing to self-nominate or nominate a colleague. 

 

Nominee Qualifications

An elementary or secondary principal, school administrator, or school system supervisor or superintendent.

 

Nomination Criteria

1. Increased time allotment for students in the music programs.

2. Expansion of the music program in the school/district as a result of the administrator’s efforts.

3. Student or school recognition or awards for achievement in music.

4. Advocating for music and arts education in the school and community.

5. Financial commitment to the music programs in the school or district.

6. Encourages diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) in their school and community.

7. Strong leadership, good school management, and good rapport with educators, parents, and students.

 

MMEA Exemplary Music Program Award

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Award Description

This award is to recognize outstanding music programs. 

 

Nominee Qualifications

Any public, private or independent school in the State of Maryland that has not received this award in the past five years. The music educator in charge of this program must be a member of MMEA/NAfME.

 

Nomination Criteria

1. Outstanding curriculum, program goals & objectives, unique materials & teaching strategies.

2. Strong student participation in music programs and honor ensembles.

3. Innovative teaching strategies and materials

4. Support for the music program on the part of the local administration and/or the board of education.

5. Exemplifies diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) in their school and community?

6. Community involvement and support, such as: number of students involved in community musical organizations, parental involvement, and community recognition

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The Corwin Taylor Music Education Leadership Award

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Award Description

This award is to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to the music education of Maryland’s youth. The Corwin Taylor Music Education Leadership Award was established in 1993 in memory of Dr. Corwin H. Taylor (1905-1992), noted musician, composer, author, and educator. Dr. Taylor, an active member of the Music Educators National Conference (now National Association for Music Education, NAfME) and the Maryland Music Educators Association, was Supervisor of Instrumental Music for the Baltimore Public School system from 1945 to 1968 and a faculty member at the University of Maryland at College Park from 1968 to 1976.

 

Nominee Qualifications

A teacher, administrator, parent, industry representative, or performer in Maryland. Membership in MMEA/NAfME is encouraged but not required.

 

Nomination Criteria

1. Demonstrated connection to music education in Maryland.

2. Significant contributions to the music education of Maryland’s youth.

 

The Rosemary and James Walters Award for Service

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Award Description

This award is to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Maryland Music Educators Association. The Rosemary and James Walters Award for Service to the Maryland Music Educators Association was established in 2001 in memory of Rosemary and James Walters. Their teaching careers were in Maryland, spanning 30 years until a tragic accident in April 2001. Jim taught instrumental music, most recently at Francis Scott Key Middle School in Montgomery County while Rosemary taught choral music. Together, they characterized the essence of supporting the music education profession. They supported their colleagues, young and seasoned, and they supported every professional activity of the association and the school music community. Jim served as MBDA president, but his contribution was not limited to band activities. Rosemary eventually left the classroom to work full time in church music, but her involvement as a substitute music teacher and as an accompanist continued. At nearly any MMEA event, it was typical to see Jim and Rosemary offering to assist when they were not “on duty,” doing whatever needed to be done.

 

Nominee Qualifications

Must have volunteered for MMEA in the capacity of an Executive Board Member, Component Board Member, adjudicator, ensemble manager, chaperone or other volunteer position. Membership in MMEA/NAfME is encouraged but not required.

 

 

MMEA Hall of Fame

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Award Description

This award is to recognize an individual for excellence in teaching and/or administration, contributions and improvements made in music education, betterment of the profession through exemplary service or acts, professional offices, publications, awards, recognition, performances, and professional ideals and academic integrity.

 

Nominee Qualifications

1. A teacher or administrator in Maryland who displayed excellence and dedication in teaching or administration over the course of their career.  

2. The Nominee must be a member of MMEA/NAfME at the time of nomination.  If the nominee is retired or deceased, they must have been a member while teaching.

 

AWARDS NOMINATION FORMS

 

Outstanding Music Educator Award (new/career/retired)

School Administrator Award (non-arts administrator)

MMEA/NAfME Exemplary Music Program Award 

The Corwin Taylor Music Education Award

The Rosemary and James Walters Award for Service

MMEA Hall Of Fame

 

AWARDS SCORING RUBRIC

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Link to scoring rubric