The ASME National Music Educator Awards seek to acknowledge music educators who demonstrate outstanding quality teaching and learning, impact within and beyond their teaching context, and engagement with the music education profession. This may include areas such as innovative practice, advocacy, mentorship, entrepreneurial leadership, administration, curriculum development, professional learning, activism, and/or research.
Music educators across diverse fields are encouraged to apply for this prestigious national award. Teaching contexts may include: School based primary classroom teaching and instrumental teaching, School based secondary and instrumental teaching, Early childhood music education, Instrumental/vocal teaching or studio instruction, Community music, Music Education Leadership, Higher Education, Educational Administration for and within music education.
The intention of these Awards is to publicly recognize contributions to music education in the following three categories:
- Early career music educator – up to five years in the profession.
- Experienced music educator – between five and twenty years in the profession.
- Veteran teacher – a teacher beyond twenty years in the profession.
ASME reserves the right not to make an award in every category where appropriate. Commendations may be awarded to other deserving applicants.
Nominations
The award is open to ASME members, and applications may be via self or peer nomination. The nomination form, available on the ASME website, must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications
The application must include:
- Cover sheet – applicant’s name, contact details, employment details, name and contact details of referee
- Applicant supporting statement containing a 200-word biography (including brief education and employment history) and a response to each of the three criteria (with specific examples).
- Endorsement and statement (up to one A4 page) from a referee (who may be a mentor, school leader, supervisor, etc)
- A headshot suitable for promotional use.
Award Criteria
The review panel will consider the applicant’s demonstrated evidence in the following three areas:
- Quality: Evidence of excellent teaching practice
- Impact and Innovation: Demonstrated and acknowledged contribution to music education
- Influence: Sustained engagement with the wider music education community
Examples to illustrate how the criteria have been met may include:
- Outstanding contribution across a field/s of endeavor
- Effectiveness and innovation in enabling development of new musical understandings that build on and enrich knowledge, skills and attitudes in music
- Teaching approaches that cater for diverse needs and backgrounds
- Working collaboratively with other teachers and providers of music learning to improve student learning outcomes and engagement
- Advocacy and/or activism with demonstrated impact at the state/national levels
Review of applications
The ASME National Music Educator Awards are administered by the ASME National Executive. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of music educators, chaired by a member of the National Executive. Up to one award will be made in each category. Commendations may be awarded to other applicants, at the discretion of the review panel. The award and commendation recipients will be recognised at the National Conference.
Timing of applications
The call for applications will be announced approximately 12 months prior to the ASME National Conference, with the closing date for applications approximately 9 months prior to the conference. Successful awardees will be advised approximately 6 months prior to the conference.
Note: Information contained within successful applications may be used by the ASME National Conference Organising committee and/or the ASME National Executive to be used as a basis for publicity.
Background:
At the ASME National Council meeting held on August 19, 2024, it was agreed that the proposed ASME National Music Educator Awards replace the current Music Educating for Life Awards. This proposal had been developed from 2022-2024 by the ASME Awards Subcommittee, with contributions from all ASME State Chapters.
The new ASME National Music Educator Awards differ from the previous Music Educating for Life Awards in a number of ways:
- Administered nationally, with applications reviewed by a panel, led by a member of National Executive.
- Fewer awards to be made, to maintain the prestige of the award. There will be opportunities to offer additional commendations for strong applicants.
- State Chapters will be encouraged to establish awards that recognize contributions at the state level.
- Awards will be made in three categories:
- Early career music educator- up to five (5) years in the profession.
- Experienced music educator – between five and twenty years in the profession.
- Veteran teacher – a teacher beyond twenty 20 years in the profession.
- The award will include a trophy and certificate.