Johns Creek Teacher Named Finalist For Music Educator Award

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- A total of 10 music teachers from seven states have been announced as finalists for the Music Educator Award™ presented by The Recording Academy ® and the GRAMMY Foundation ® .

Initial nominations were submitted from all 50 states. This year's finalists are:

• Erica Breitbarth, Reagan IB High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
• David Dehner, Monte Vista Christian School, Watsonville, Calif.
• Jose Diaz, MacArthur Senior High School, Houston, Texas
• Keith Hancock, Tesoro High School, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
• Elizabeth Hankins, Lakewood High School, Lakewood, Ohio
• Keith Hart Sr., KIPP Believe College Prep, New Orleans, La.
• Henry Miller, Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine, Calif.
• Richard Nickerson, Windham High School, Windham, Maine
• Ulli Reiner, Bernardo Heights Middle School, Poway, Calif.
• Nicole Thompson, Taylor Road Middle School, Johns Creek Ga.

Thompson presently serves as director of orchestras at Taylor Road Middle School where she was selected as the school’s Teacher of the Year in 2010. In 2014, Mrs. Thompson was honored as the Georgia American String Teachers Association Educator of the Year.

A joint partnership and presentation of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation, the Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools.

The award is open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone can nominate a teacher — students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators.

Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on the lives of students.

The 2017 honoree will be flown to Los Angeles, the host city of the GRAMMY Awards ® , and will be recognized during GRAMMY Week in February 2017. The recipient will also attend the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony and a range of GRAMMY Foundation events.

In addition, the recipient will receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. Nominations and applications for the 2018 Music Educator Award are now open via www.grammymusicteacher.com.

Photo: Nicole Thompson. Credit: Giles Communication