"IMTA Teacher of the Year” is one of IMTA's highest honors. This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates excellence in teaching and service to the music teaching profession and community. Recipients are nominated by current members and are selected by members of the Board of Directors. Individuals and/or Local Associations may nominate someone for this award. Past Winners
The procedures for nominations are consistent with those for the National Teacher of the Year Award. Nominations are kept confidential.
- Nominations should be sent to Dr. Robert Palmer, chair of the selection committee, either by email (rpalmer@bsu.edu) or hard copy (Dr. Robert Palmer, School of Music, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306). Deadline is September 15.
- Include your name and contact information and the nominee’s address/phone/email.
- In two pages or less, comment on contributions that the nominee has made to music, colleagues, students, and IMTA. No special form is required.
- If possible, ask a colleague who is familiar with the applicant’s professional work to submit a supporting letter. Maximum letter length is two pages.
- If possible, ask a former student or parent of a current student to submit a supporting letter. Maximum letter length is two pages.
- Nominations are kept confidential by the selection committee which consists of three appointed members of the Executive Board.
- Nominations will remain active for five years, after which they will be archived.
- The selection committee will not be determined until after the nomination deadline in order to avoid conflict of interest situations.
- Announcement of the award is made at the state conference. The identity of the recipient is known only to the selection committee prior to this time.
- Recipients are not told who nominated him/her or who wrote supporting letters, except by the nominators themselves, if desired.
IMTA Teacher of the Year Award Winners
1986 Stella Tatlock
1987 Marion Hall
1988 Karen Taylor
1989 Lon Sherer
1990 Marvin Blickenstaff
1991 Carolyn Hutson
1992 Martin Marks
1993 Eugene Rousseau
1994 Wilda Gene Marcus
1995 Steve Roberson
1996 Joseph Rezits
1997 Annette Conklin
1998 Robert Palmer
1999 Cheryl Everett
2000 Janet Piechocinski
2001 Mary C. Heller
2002 Beverley Simms
2003 None
2004 Reginal Rodger
2005 Margaret Roby
2006 Margaret Strong
2007 Karen Shaw
2008 Karen Thickstun
2009 Richard Ratliff