13 NAfME Members Named 2025 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence

13 NAfME Members Named 2025 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence 

On May 6, 2025, NAfME Music Education Policy Roundtable member CMA Foundation honored 30 music educators during Teacher Appreciation Week with the 2025 Music Teachers of Excellence Awards. This ninth annual recognition honors “extraordinary educators nationwide who are using the power of music to transform lives.”

“Music Teachers of Excellence is about shining a light on educators who are transforming the lives of their students every single day,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “These teachers are leaders, mentors, and changemakers, and they deserve to feel seen and uplifted by our music community. This program isn’t just a moment of recognition; it’s a way for our industry to stand behind them and say, ‘We’re with you.’”

The CMA Foundation will honor these music educators during its Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony on Wednesday, September 10, at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Each teacher will receive a $5,000 award—half of the investment will go toward their classroom needs and music programs, and the other half will support personal expenses.

The CMA Foundation notes: “This year’s honorees represent 11 states and were selected through a rigorous application process that considers instructional excellence, innovation in the classroom, and a demonstrated commitment to leadership, collaboration, and student success.”

NAfME congratulates all the recipients of this special recognition. Below are the honored music educators who are members of the National Association for Music Education.* Read the press release to learn about all the music educators named 2025 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence.

Erin Althen	Westhill High School	Syracuse	NY
Michael Antmann	Freedom High School	Orlando	FL
Jeremy Bartunek	Greenbrier School	Northbrook	IL
Neshawn Calloway	Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts	Chattanooga	TN
Ethan Chessin	Camas High School	Camas	WA
Reggie Coleman	Rocky Fork Middle School	Smyrna	TN
Brandon Dittgen	Milford High School	Milford	OH
Sarah Duce	Greenfield Junior High School	Gilbert	AZ
Nicholas Efstathiou	Riverdale High School	Murfreesboro	TN
Theresa Iacarino	Cromwell Valley Elementary Magnet School	Towson	MD
Megan Perdue	Sheldon High School	Eugene	OR
Matthew Shephard	Meridian Early College High School	Sanford	MI
Eric Songer	Chaska Middle School West	Chaska	MN

* This number reflects those whose memberships were current at the time of this announcement and is subject to change.