Ensuring music teacher quality is the most important role of the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW. Recognising the significant work that music teachers do, we hope to encourage further development and excellence within the sector.

We hope that establishing a New South Wales wide Music Teacher Award that the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW will benefit from marketing and promotional opportunities elevating the association’s profile, increase morale and motivation amongst members and encourage membership growth and retention.

The MTA will announce the award winner/s recognised for the crucial role they play in shaping students’ lives across NSW at the 2025 Music Teacher Matters: Innovate, Lead, Inspire Conference, Sunday October 12, 2025.

About the Award

Award Name

MTANSW Excellence in Teaching Award

Award Period

• Announcement of the Award: August 1, 2025
• Call for Nominations: August 1, 2025
• Application Closing Date: September 19, 2025
• Application Review: September 20 – October 3, 2025
• Nominees Selected and Announced: October 6, 2025
• Winner(s) Announced & Presentations: October 12, 2025

Award Prize

Trophy and cash payment of $500.00

Eligibility

This award is to recognise NSW Music Teachers who have demonstrated excellence within the sector providing children with a better education and through their hard work provide positive impacts for their communities.

Applicant Criteria

• Applicant can self-nominate
• Fellow member of the MTA NSW can nominate an applicant
• Nominations can be put forward by non-MTA NSW Members
• A Principal or Teacher can nominate an applicant
• Early Career Applicant must have five years and under of teaching experience
• Applicant can be from any teaching context or instrument area
• Applicant can only be nominated once per award round
• Previous winners will not be eligible to apply again
• MTA NSW reserves the right to reject a nomination or retract the Award should any false or misleading information be provided during nomination or after acceptance

 Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed by a Review Panel that may include MTA NSW Board Directors and non-MTA NSW representatives from the teaching industry. They will be reviewed based on the follow criteria:

• the qualification level and years of experience (shown via applicant’s CV)
• pedagogy assessed against results of students
• demonstrated excellence, creativity, or innovation in instrumental music teaching
• demonstrated engagement with the instrumental music teaching sector, especially with regards to collegial mentoring and/or volunteering (these contributions should occur over a significant period of time, not a single event)
• demonstrated impact of their efforts within communities, especially with regards to inclusivity and equity (these contributions should occur over a significant period of time, not a single event)
• demonstrated a commitment to professional development

Supporting Material (max 400 words) should include 1 or more of the following:

• exam and/or eisteddfod student results
• letter of recommendation from a current MTA member (not the applicant), who is familiar with the work of the nominee
• letter of recommendation from a current student of the nominee
• letter of recommendation from a past student of the nominee
• letter of recommendation from a Principal or fellow Teacher of the nominee. who is familiar with the work of the nominee

Applications Close: Propose September 19, 2025

Access the PDF printable nomination form via this link http://mtansw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-MTANSW-Excellence-in-Teaching-Award-Nomination-Form.pdf

Use this link to access the online digital nomination form https://forms.gle/C3FFNwEwwT8a4ps38

Note: Upon completion of the nomination form, it must be uploaded (along with other supporting material) to info@mtansw.org.au