Teacher of the Year

The MASTA Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year honors are awarded annually by nomination and election of the entire MASTA membership.

Please click here to download the Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

Please click here to download the Administrator of the Year Nomination Form

Policy for Teacher of the Year:

MASTA is a professional organization that exists to allow teachers the ability to access resources for the classroom and the private studio. Studio Teaching was the foundation for ASTA and still remains the largest portion of the membership today. We have included studio teachers in our nominations and selections for Teacher of the Year throughout the history of MASTA but we have never specifically designated a nomination for only a Studio Teacher of the Year award.

A proposal was brought to the MASTA Board for a specific yearly designation for Studio Teacher of the Year or Teacher of the Year (classroom teacher). The proposal was discussed and the board voted to alternate between the two beginning with the 2014 award. Criteria to be nominated for Teacher of the Year are that the nominated candidate has taught in Michigan for at least ten years, demonstrated quality teaching through performance, indicated educational achievement in areas other than performance, and demonstrated service to string education in Michigan.

Past MASTA Teachers of the Year 2018 Marla Smith 2017 Abby Alwin 2016 Wendy Azrak 2015 Dan Scott 2014 Jack Budrow 2013 Mark Kochenruther 2012 Janis Peterson 2011 David Reed 2010 Bruce Uchimura 2009 Jed Fritzemeier 2008 Kevin Miller 2007 John Kendall 2006 Leslie Wimsatt 2005 Jan Burchman 2004 Steve Reed 2003 Judith Palac 2002 Rosemary Maloczay 2001 Marshall (Larry) Hutchinson 2000 Pat Smith 1999 Catharine DeLuca 1998 Alan MacNair 1997 Connie Dugger 1997 Bill Tennant 1996 Bob Ritsema 1995 Bob Phillips 1994 Robert Culver 1993 Jerry Bartlett 1992 Roxanne Oliver 1991 Russell Reed 1990 Geri Arnold 1989 Dan Long 1988 Yvonne Schilla 1987 Lyman Bodman 1986 Helene Bleecker 1983 Jean Manning 1982 Valerie Palmieri 1981 Martha Froseth 1980 Ann Schoelles 1979 Carolyn Tarzia 1978 Gabe Villasurda 1977 Ara Zerounian 1976 Marilyn Kesler 1975 Betty Heaton 1974 Lawrence Guenther  1973 Julius Stulberg 1972 Olive Gold Parks 1971 Mildred Bachellor 1970 Emily Austin 1969 Maurice Riley 1968 Louis Potter 1967 Elizabeth Green 1966 Robert Lint 1965 Anne Dodge 1964 Yenovk Kavafian