Buffalo Grove Teacher Named Semifinalist For A Grammy

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Elizabeth Bennett, director of orchestras and fine and performing arts co-coordinator at Buffalo Grove High School, is up for a Grammy again. For the second straight year, she has been named a semifinalist for the "Educator of the Year" award from the Recording Academy.

Bennett, who resides in Libertyville, has been a teacher at Buffalo Grove High School since 2008.

The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum revealed the semifinalists list last week for the annual Music Educator Award. In all, a total of 25 music teachers from 24 cities across 16 states, have been announced as semifinalists, selected from more than 1,989 initial nominations submitted from all 50 states.

The Music Educator Award recognizes 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 the schools, according to a release. The recipient will be recognized during Grammy Week 2021.

The award, according to the release, is open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone can nominate a teacher — students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers are also able to nominate themselves, and nominated teachers are notified and invited to fill out an application.

Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students' lives. They will receive a $10,000 honorarium and matching grant for their school’s music program. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium and matching grants. The remaining 15 semifinalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants.

The finalists will be announced in December, and nominations for the 2022 Music Educator Award are now open. To nominate a music educator, or to find more information, please visit www.grammymusicteacher.com.