Music Teachers of Excellence: 20 Tennessee educators recognized by CMA Foundation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Twenty Tennessee educators have been recognized by the CMA Foundation as Music Teachers of Excellence.

The foundation is a philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association. On Tuesday, 30 music teachers from across the country were announced as Music Teachers of Excellence with the majority of them in Tennessee.

The program recognizes educators who are having the greatest impact on their students, using the power of music as an avenue for change.

Teachers will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Nashville on Oct. 19.

See the list of educators below:

• Justin Antos – Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Community High School District 218, Blue Island, IL
• Evan Burton – Fred J. Page Middle School, Williamson County Schools, Franklin, TN
• Jesse Cannon II – Duncanville High School, Duncanville Independent School District, Duncanville, TX
• Jared Cassedy – Lexington High School, Lexington Public Schools, Lexington, MA
• Sara Cowan – Central High School, Omaha Public Schools, Omaha, NE
• Alicia Engram – Eagle View Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Antioch, TN
• Elaina Gallas – Edmondson Elementary School, Williamson County Schools, Brentwood, TN
• Jason Glashauser – South Clinton Elementary School, Clinton City Schools, Clinton, TN
• Vivian Gonzalez – Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami, FL
• John Hazlett – McGavock High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
• Michael Holland – Nolensville High School, Williamson County Schools, Nolensville, TN
• Samuel Holmes – Garden Hills Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta, GA
• Trey Jacobs – Nashville School of the Arts, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
• Kevin Jankowski – W.H. Oliver Middle School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
• Ollie Liddell – Memphis Central High School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis, TN
• Jarrett Lipman – Claudia Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson High School, North East Independent School District, San Antonio, TX
• Andrew Lynn – Stewarts Creek Middle School, Rutherford County Schools, Smyrna, TN
• Darlene Machacon – John A. Murdy Elementary School, Garden Grove Unified School District, Garden Grove, CA
• Margaret Maurice – Hidden Valley Elementary School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte, NC
• Tyler Merideth – Hillwood High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
• Marie Millikin – Tara Oaks Elementary School, Collierville Municipal School District, Collierville, TN
• Linzie Mullins – Snowden School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis, TN
• Joseph Powell – White Station High School, Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis, TN
• Samantha Reid – Isaac Litton Middle School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
• Emily Riley – Julia Green Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
• Danielle Leigh Taylor – Mt. View Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Antioch, TN
• Matthew Trevino – Roan Forest Elementary, North East Independent School District, San Antonio, TX
• Tiffany Turner – Brentwood Middle School, Williamson County Schools, Brentwood, TN
• Susan Waters – W.H. Oliver Middle School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
• Frank Zimmerer – Antioch High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Antioch, TN

The CMA Foundation says Music Teachers of Excellence are selected based on their dedication to bringing a high-quality music education to their students and the impact they’ve had on their school community through music. To date, the CMA Foundation has invested over $27 million nationally, including $850,000 towards Music Teachers of Excellence to ensure music educators have the support and funding needed to create a thriving program within their school and community.

“We are incredibly proud to support these 30 amazing music teachers through this program” says Tiffany Kerns, Executive Director, CMA Foundation. “Music Education is essential to the well-being of students everywhere. We believe that without excellent teachers, a high-quality education for our students wouldn't be possible. Welcoming this new class brings our staff and Country community so much joy - we cannot wait to celebrate their achievements this fall!”

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