MASTA HONORS TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
submitted by Mark Kotchenruther, MASTA President-Elect

On Saturday, January 26, at our annual luncheon and in conjunction with the 3rd annual Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids, MASTA presented its Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year awards. As always, this was a wonderful occasion to highlight and honor great service to our organization, its members and their students.

We had three great nominees for 2008 Teacher of the Year -- Diane McElfish, Mark Mathias, and Kevin Miller -- and each is a model of outstanding teaching in our state. After a tally of ballots submitted by MASTA members, the award was presented to Kevin Miller. Here is an excerpt of the nomination letter submitted by Dan Long:

“KEVIN MILLER’s early career included teaching orchestra the public schools of Michigan and Illinois. These positions included elementary, middle school and high school orchestra responsibilities. Kevin is currently Director of Orchestras at Eastern Michigan University. As Director of Orchestras at EMU, he has been able to bring music and the joy of music to countless young audiences. He has also organized an annual clinic for Michigan high school string players hosted by EMU. Kevin’s support of ASTA and orchestra activities within Michigan is far-reaching. He has hosted our state solo competition. Kevin has been very active in ASTA at the state and national level. As national ASTA Secretary he was on the Executive Board. He has also served in various capacities within Michigan ASTA. He was Secretary 1994-96, Outreach Chair 1996-2000 and President 2002-2004. He has participated in numerous state and national conventions as a member of various panels and chaired several sessions. He has been involved with MSBOA’s annual Junior High String Festivals. He has been an adjudicator and judge for district and state solo/ensemble festivals and large ensemble festivals. He has been a guest lecturer/conductor for numerous school orchestra programs. As an EMU faculty member, Kevin plays a major role in the development of young music educators. EMU graduates continue to have an impact on countless students throughout the state. This influence can be directly connected and attributed to Kevin and his teaching. The EMU Student Chapter of MASTA, Kevin Miller sponsor, was the first recipient of the National Student Chapter Award in 2003. Kevin is a role model for all. His enthusiasm for music and tireless support for our profession is second to none. He makes us proud as a truly professional music educator and mentor. He has the respect and admiration of his colleagues and peers.”

This year’s Administrator of the Year award was presented to Ron MEAD, Principal of Chelsea High School. Here is an excerpt from Jed Fritzemeier’s nomination letter:

“My Principal, Ron Mead, is the most supportive individual I have ever met. Integrity is his middle name. He is not musically inclined, rather the opposite, a math teacher. But my favorite administrative quote came from Ron. I had only been working with Ron a couple of years when I wanted to start a folk music group. In addition, I had already had the Turtle Island String Quartet in the district for a concert and had totally disrupted the schools by pulling the string players in for the concert. When I thanked him for his support and expressed my genuine admiration for all he was doing for me Ron said, “Well, we could have a high school with just reading, math and science, with just the core classes, but who’d want to come?” He has also participated in my concerts and even taken a pie in the face for a fundraiser for the orchestra program. Name another administrator that has gone that far for an orchestra program.”