Turning the Spotlight Around: The CMA Awards Pay Tribute to the 2020 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence

By Carena Liptak

The CMA Foundation turned the spotlight on its 2020 Music Teachers of Excellence class of honorees during the 2021 CMA Awards in November, highlighting the important work that music educators do in classrooms K-12 across the U.S. 

While those in the audience — and watching from home — got the chance to celebrate these special teachers during the awards show, few were behind the scenes to see what it was like for the educators in attendance. The 30 Music Teachers of Excellence for 2020 were announced on March 9 of that year, just days before the world came grinding to a halt as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. After plans to honor the 2020 class were thwarted, the CMA Foundation went back to the drawing board to find a new, innovative way to celebrate these deserving educators. When plans for the 2021 CMA Awards commenced, they knew this was it, partnering with the foundation’s parent organization to create a special, in-person experience for the Music Teachers of Excellence honorees.  

The CMA Awards highlight those in the genre who have gone a cut above, who have seen success as a result of tireless effort and dedication. This year was no exception when it came to celebrating the outstanding Music Teachers of Excellence. All 30 educators, including the principals from their respective schools, received tickets for themselves and a guest to attend Country Music’s Biggest Night™. Much like the CMA Award nominees, who receive medallions to commemorate their achievement of being nominated, each Music Teacher of Excellence likewise received a silver medallion. CMA worked with Larry Lusky of HALO Branded Solutions to craft these special mementos as a token of their accomplishment.  

After the show, as the honorees reflected on the big night, many agreed that they spend most of their careers focusing on their students’ achievements. Being in the spotlight for one night was an exciting experience. 

“Who doesn’t want recognition?” said Adrian Maclin, the Director of Choirs at Cordova High School in Memphis, TN. “I usually hide behind my kids’ success. However, that night — I can’t really gather the words to show how appreciative I am for being recognized for what I am passionate about doing!” 

“All teachers can attest to this: We experience joy through our students’ eyes and hearts. To have that spotlight turned on us, even for the briefest of moments, is overwhelming, humbling and more special than I can articulate,” agreed Chris Maunu, a Denver-area choir director, composer, conductor and singer.  

The teachers took part in a special reception at the event, and they were at the awards show in person to hear video messages about the importance of their work in education from stars such as Carrie Underwood and Trisha Yearwood. Then, the Music Teachers of Excellence program and its honorees got their own segment during the CMA Awards, with the show runners taking a break from the evening’s stacked bill of music awards and star performances to pay tribute to the outstanding teachers.  

“For me, Luke Combs summed it all up in his song ‘Doin’ This,’” said honoree Kayla Werlin, an educator of nearly four decades who lives and works in Massachusetts. She was referring to a song that Combs debuted on the awards show that expresses his passion for his music career; even if he’d never made it to superstardom, he’d still be singing Country Music, even if that meant performing to tiny crowds in unassuming venues. 

“I am blessed to have spent the past 38 years doing work that I was born to do, work that I love, working with amazing young people and watching them grow as musicians and people, meeting fantastic colleagues all over the world and learning every day,” Werlin continued. “My new friends at CMA made me feel so special and valued, and while it’s never been about that, it sure felt great!”  

Maclin pointed out that the experience was an affirmation of the importance of the work teachers do. “[It] shapes the mainstream artist/musician all the way down to the local Sunday morning or Saturday night musician,” he added. “It definitely starts in our classrooms!”  

Not only did the 2021 CMA Awards provide a chance for the educators to spend some well-deserved time in the spotlight, it offered them a chance to meet each other: “[We connected] with beautiful and outstanding colleagues and CMA Foundation members,” Maunu noted. “It was the experience that will never be forgotten.” 

Since its inception in 2016, the CMA Foundation’s Music Teachers of Excellence program has annually honored music teachers exemplifying excellence in their field. Educators from across the U.S. are reviewed by an anonymous panel of career music educators, and 30 teachers — 10 from Nashville, 10 from elsewhere in Tennessee and 10 from other states across the country — are selected. Each teacher receives a $5,000 stipend, half of which supports their classroom needs and half of which supports the teacher’s personal and professional development.  

Thank you, CMA member, for your contribution in making this special moment happen. As a trade organization, CMA continues its mission to grow Country Music across the globe. That growth starts in the classroom. Through the work spearheaded by the CMA Foundation, CMA is committed to keeping the music going by encouraging, equipping and honoring those behind the scenes that lay the groundwork for what’s to come in Country Music and mold the next generation of CMA members, award winners, musicians and industry professionals.   

If you’d like to know more about being involved with the CMA Foundation, visit CMAfoundation.org or email Falon Keith at fkeith@cmaworld.com. 

2020 Music Teachers of Excellence National Award Recipients

Chris Maunu, Arvada West High School, Jefferson County Public Schools – Arvada, CO 

Efrain Casillas, Desert Oasis Elementary School & Porfirio H. Gonzalez Elementary – Tolleson, AZ 

Joanie Padgett, Fitzgerald High School College & Career Academy, Ben Hill County Schools – Fitzgerald, GA 

Jose Antonio Diaz, MacArthur High School, Aldine Independent School District – Houston, TX 

Kayla B. Werlin, Longmeadow High Schools, Longmeadow Public Schools – Longmeadow, MA 

Keith Hancock, Tesoro High Schools, Capistrano Unified School District – Rancho Santo Margarita, CA 

Kelsey D. Burkett, Hillard Memorial Middle School, Hillard City Schools – Hillard, OH 

McKenna Stenson, Charles J. Colgan High School, Prince William County Public Schools – Manassas, VA 

Theresa McKnight, Oakdale Elementary School, Oak Hills School District – Cincinnati, OH 

Thomas Pierre, Thomas G. Pullen K-8 Creative and Performing Arts Academy, Prince George’s County Public Schools – Landover, MD  

2020 Music Teachers of Excellence Tennessee Award Recipients

Adrian Maclin, Cordova High School, Shelby County Schools – Cordova, TN 

Alice Asako Walle, Waverly Belmont Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools – Nashville, TN 

Alicia Engram, Eagle View Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools – Antioch, TN 

Anna Maria Miller, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools – Nashville, TN 

Benjamin Easley, Nolensville High School, Williamson County Schools – Nolensville, TN 

Danielle Leigh Taylor, Mt. View Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools – Antioch, TN 

Eleni Miller, John Overton High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools – Nashville, TN 

Jacob Campos, Franklin High School, Williamson County Schools – Franklin, TN 

Johnathan Vest, Centennial High School, Williamson County Schools – Franklin, TN 

Kaitlin Tilden, Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools – Nashville, TN 

Katie Harrah, W.H. Oliver Middle School, Metro Nashville Public Schools – Nashville, TN 

Lauren Baker, Clovercroft Elementary School, Williamson County Schools – Franklin, TN 

Linzie Mullins, Snowden School, Shelby County Schools – Memphis, TN 

Michael Choate, Cookeville High School, Putnam County Schools – Cookeville, TN 

Michael Holland, Nolensville High School, Williamson County Schools – Nolensville, TN 

Neshawn Calloway, Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, Hamilton County Schools – Chattanooga, TN 

Nita L. Smith, Isaiah T. Creswell Middle School of the Arts, Metro Nashville Public Schools – Nashville, TN 

Samantha Sharp, Mt. View Elementary School, Metro Nashville Public Schools – Antioch, TN 

Sandy Elliott, Mt. Juliet High School, Wilson County Schools – Mt. Juliet, TN 

Susan Waters, W.H. Oliver Middle School, Metro Nashville Public Schools –Nashville, TN