Outstanding Music Educator

The North Central District will present three awards each year in the following categories with the following level qualifications:
  • Outstanding Elementary Music Educator- Grades K-6
  • Outstanding Middle Level Music Educator- Grades 6-8
  • Outstanding High School Level Music Educator- Grades 9-12
Qualifications for nominee are:
  • Must have been in teaching for at least eight years.
  • Must be currently teaching in the level for which they are nominated.
  • Must be a member of KMEA and teaching in the North Central District.
  • Program must have shown improvement and/or consistency.
The nomination process is as follows:
  1. Teachers, administrators, and/or parents may nominate a music teacher.
  2. Nomination submissions will be made on the Nomination Form. Nominations can be sent to any member of the Selection Committee consisting of the current North Central District President, President-Elect, and Vice-President (Immediate Past President). The Selection Committee members will not be eligible for these awards during their tenure as officers.
  3. Nominees will be contacted to send in a resume, a letter stating his/her philosophy of music education, and a picture (preferably black and white).
  4. The Selection Committee will review the nominations and will select one teacher in each category as North Central District Outstanding Teacher. Outstanding Teachers at each level will have their information forwarded to the State Level for listing in the Kansas Music Review and to be in consideration for the State Outstanding Music Educator of the Year.
  5. Nominations are due by May 1 of each year.
 
Elementary Award Recipients
2023-24 — Cynthia Aramowicz - Chapman
2022-23 — Matthew Schwan - Coronado Elementary - Salina
2021-22 — Jenna Eshleman - Meadowlark Ridge Elementary - Salina
2019-20 — Kelly Ballard - Junction City
2018-19 — Staci Payne - Marlatt Elementary - Manhattan
2017-18 — Desiree Brown - Sheridan Elementary - Junction City
2016-17 — Nancy Baur - Schilling Elementary - Salina
Middle Level Award Recipients
2023-24 — Erin Lloyd - Band - Riley Co.
2022-23 — Laura Holliday - St. Marys
2021-22 — Susan Gartner - Band - Wamego
2020-21 — Matthew Schwan - Choir - Junction City
2019-20 — Lynley Remy - Chase
2018-19 — Cody Toll - Orchestra - Manhattan
2017-18 — Joan Grover - Band - Ell-Saline
2016-17 — Marlo Zumbrunn - Choir - Abilene
High School Award Recipients
2023-24 — Eddie B Creer, Jr. - Choir - Salina
2022-23 — Michael Brown - Choir - Junction City
2021-22 — Angeline McGuffin - Choir - Chapman
2020-21 — Lindsay Modin - Orchestra - Salina
2019-20 — Ben Rohrer - Band - Salina
2018-19 — Stuart Roegge - Band - Concordia
2017-18 — Joel Gittle - Band - Manhattan
2016-17 — Nancy Monical - Band - Manhattan
Corrections to this list should be sent to the NCKMEA President.