The WMTA Teacher Award of Excellence promotes high-quality music instruction by recognizing teachers’ dedication and excellence. These teachers have demonstrated consistent high standards of teaching in their studio through the outstanding accomplishments of their students.
The WMTA Teacher Awards of Excellence are presented to teachers based on the participation of their students in WMTA auditions.
- One point is given to the teacher for each award their students earn through WMTA participation.
- An award certificate is earned at the following milestones: 10, 50, and 75 points.
- A plaque is earned at 100 points
- Bars are earned in 25-point increments following the plaque.
- In the past, teachers have been asked to keep track of their own points and submit the total to the Award of Excellence chairperson. Over the years, many teachers could have earned points through their students’ WMTA participation, but never submitted the points.
New in 2026: I have been gathering information to tally points for all of the WMTA teachers and to keep a running total from year to year so awards can be distributed in the fall.
I requested the points data from each district’s WMTA results (district, regional, and state) to record each teacher’s award of excellence points.
Getting the points information from each district has had its challenges. Once I have the information, keeping track of the points for all participating teachers is not difficult.
Moving forward to 2027, I ask that district chairs keep me in the loop when entering awards earned by students. The easiest way is to share the data through the district Google sheet or an Excel spreadsheet. I’m happy to add up the points if I have access to the results: I need the student names, what award(s) they earned throughout the entire season, and the name of their teacher. If I have access to the information, it’s actually very easy.
Teachers will be recognized for their efforts during the fall banquet at the 2026 annual WMTA state conference. I apologize in advance for any teachers that may not get the proper recognition – I can only tally up the information if it has been shared with me.
If teachers have questions about the status of their points, I’m happy to share the information I have recorded. Some teachers are not interested and have opted out and do not wish for their points to be tabulated.
Rita Schuman, NCTM
Teacher of Award of Excellence Chair