THE CMA FOUNDATION PRAISES THE GENEROSITY OF INDUSTRY PARTNERS FOR SPONSORING ALL 30 OF ITS 2023 MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENTS
Teachers from Around the Country to be Honored at Star-Studded Ceremony September 19 in Nashville
Thanks to the generosity of valued industry partners, the CMA Foundation has secured sponsorship for all 30 of its Music Teachers of Excellence recipients as a part of the CMA Foundation’s “Sponsor A Teacher” campaign. Now in its seventh year, the Music Teachers of Excellence program recognizes educators who are having the greatest impact on their students, using the power of music as an avenue for change. The “Sponsor A Teacher” initiative was created to allow individuals and organizations the opportunity to directly support Music Teachers of Excellence honorees.
“We could not be more grateful to the individuals and organizations that committed to sponsoring each of our 30 incredible music teachers through the ‘Sponsor A Teacher’ program,” says Tiffany Kerns, Executive Director, CMA Foundation. “Throughout this campaign, I have been continuously inspired by the generosity and passion for music education on display by our Country Music community and our partners. We cannot wait to celebrate the new class of music teachers on September 19!”
In addition to a night of celebration in Nashville, each Music Teacher of Excellence recipient is awarded $5,000, half of which is designated for each teacher’s music program and half designated to support professional development and personal expenses. By supporting teachers, sponsors are able to impact Music Teachers of Excellence in Metro Nashville Public Schools as well as in districts throughout Tennessee and across the country.
The star-studded Music Teachers of Excellence Awards ceremony will take place Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.
2023 Music Teachers of Excellence Award Recipients (in alphabetical order):
- Alicia Engram – Eagle View Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Antioch, TN
- Ann Marie Morris – Cole Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Antioch, TN
- Ashley Harris – Spring Station Middle School, Williamson County Schools, Spring Hill, TN
- Briana Vogt – Franklin High School, Williamson County Schools, Franklin, TN
- Corey Graves – Tony A. Jackson Middle School, Forney Independent School District, Forney, TX
- Crystal Briley – University Park Creative Arts School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, Charlotte, NC
- DaJuana “Dee” Hammonds – Hull-Jackson Montessori School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
- Danielle Leigh Taylor – Tusculum Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
- Elaina Gallas – Edmondson Elementary School, Williamson County School District, Brentwood, TN
- Elizabeth Carter – Snowden School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis, TN
- Eric Songer – Chaska Middle School West, Eastern Carver County School District, Chaska, MN
- Ethan Chessin – Camas High School, Camas School District, Camas, WA
- Frank Zimmerer – Antioch High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Antioch, TN
- Garrett Doo – Smyrna High School, Rutherford County Schools, Smyrna, TN
- Jacqueline Hanna – Glenview Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
- Jason Glashauser – South Clinton Elementary School, Clinton City School District, Clinton, TN
- Kacee Sanders – DuPont Hadley Middle School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Old Hickory, TN
- Kate Affainie – Granbery Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Brentwood, TN
- Kristina Waugh – Rossview High School, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, Clarksville, TN
- Mandy Funderburk – Meigs Academic Magnet School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
- Matthew Trevino – Roan Forest Elementary School, North East Independent School District, San Antonio, TX
- Nita L. Smith – Isaiah T. Creswell Middle Magnet School of the Visual and Performing Arts, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
- Nora Hernández – Monroe Elementary Language Academy, Garden Grove Unified School District, Fountain Valley, CA
- Patrick Bourn – Franklin Elementary School, Franklin Special School District, Franklin, TN
- Rose Hellmers – Ravenwood High School, Williamson County Schools, Brentwood, TN
- Ryan Mack – P.S. 10 Magnet School of Math, Science, and Design Technology, NYC DOE District 15, Brooklyn, NY
- Shawna Longo – Durban Avenue Elementary School, Hopatcong Borough Schools, Hopatcong, NJ
- Sherie Grossman – Mt. Juliet High School, Wilson County Schools, Mt. Juliet, TN
- Stephanie San Roman – Oswego High School, Oswego Community Unit School District 308, Oswego, IL
- Stephen Lawrence-Carroll – North Atlanta High School, Atlanta City School District, Atlanta, GA
About the CMA Foundation
Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining high-quality music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), invests various resources across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations.
