The Educator of Note Award

In 1993, Karyn Herterich, YPO president from 1989 to 1990, initiated the Educator of Note Award in memory of her mother, Ethel Malcomb Kennedy, as well as to honor past president Louise Todaro for her many years of dedication to the cause of opera education. The Educator of Note Award recognizes outstanding Miami-Dade County elementary school teachers in the public, private, or parochial schools who creatively motivate and inspire young children in the field of music education. Each year a winner is awarded a $2000 grant, a Waterford apple, and another small gift at YPO's annual May luncheon.

All eligible teachers* interested in applying should fill out the application form (see link on the left hand side of this page) and return it by March 7, 2008, along with any additional letters of recommendations, photos, DVD’s, or other information you feel would be helpful in our review. The winner will be notified in April.

* Please note: to be eligible, an applicant must be actively teaching in Miami-Dade County at the elementary level; must have at least 3 years' teaching experience; and must be nominated by one person (who may be a principal or fellow teacher). The applicant should include information about relevant classroom or extracurricular activities, which could include: instructional opera projects, field trips, Opera Funtime programs, creating and producing student operas, or anything else related to increasing students' knowledge or appreciation of music.

Thank you for your interest!

Award Winners

1994:	Lillian Naruns
1995:	Diane Mauch
1996:	Sheila Firestone
1997:	Janet Duguay Kirsten
1998:	Timothy A. Sharp
1999:	Leslie Cooper
2000:	Jacqueline E. Moody
2001:	Dr. Katherine Driscoll
2002:	Jennifer McLean Stadelmeyer
2003:	Silvia Constantinidis
2004:	Antonia Puhn
2005:	Madga Cruz Louriero
2006:	Maggie Palmer
2007:	Mary Alice Kays