The MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award was established in 2005 to recognize and honour an exceptional Canadian music teacher each year. This award is generously presented by CST Foundation.

To date, this award has celebrated the accomplishments of 18 music educators across Canada who strive to preserve the livelihood of music education in their school and community.

• Canadian music teachers with at least 5 years of teaching experience who have received a grant through the MusiCounts Band Aid Program on behalf of any school music program are eligible to be nominated for this award.
• The award winner receives a $10,000 cash prize, a substantial contribution to their school’s music program, and a JUNO Award statuette.
• Nominations are currently closed. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when the 2023 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year nominees are announced.

Jewel Casselman was named the 2023 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year at the JUNO Awards on March 13, 2023.

PASSION

The Teacher of the Year should demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to teaching, and should have a demonstrated history of providing meaningful musical experiences for students.

ADVOCACY

The Teacher of the Year should be a strong advocate for preserving quality music education in Canadian schools through fundraising, voicing their passion for music education on different committees and boards, etc.

EXPERIENCE

The Teacher of the Year’s teaching should reflect a prolonged dedication to music education and student impact.

INCLUSIVITY

The Teacher of the Year should ensure students of varying backgrounds and skill levels have the opportunity to learn, experience, and appreciate music.

ADAPTABILITY

The Teacher of the Year should have a proven track record of adapting and diversifying their teaching practices to keep up with changing student needs.

RECOGNITION

The Teacher of the Year should have the support, respect, and admiration of students, parents, administrators, and colleagues. They should be regarded as a leader in their community and a mentor in their field.

INSPIRATIONAL

The Teacher of the Year should make tangible and positive differences in the lives of students, with the ability to motivate, challenge, and encourage them to be more confident creators and appreciators of music.

Each Fall, MusiCounts accepts nominations for this award. Eligible teachers may be nominated by colleagues, school administrators, or anyone familiar with the nominee’s teaching.

From the initial pool of nominations received, a finalist pool of nominees is determined by an adjudication committee. All finalist nominees are asked to submit additional materials which discuss their experience and approach to teaching music.

A committee of music education leaders from across the country reviews each of the finalist nominee’s materials and makes their recommendation for who should receive the award.

Please reach out to Nick at applications@musicounts.ca with any questions that haven't been answered within the nomination guidelines.