Sidney teacher is awarded NRCSA Music Teacher of the Year

SIDNEY -- Sidney Public Schools 1st through 4th grades music teacher, Misty Michelman was selected Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association Outstanding Music Teacher of the Year.

The NRCSA Conference was held in Kearney. She was presented the award on March 17, 2022.

Several years ago, NRCSA made the decision to annually recognize an outstanding music teacher with the Gary Fisher Outstanding Music Teacher Award.  This was to honor the legacy of Gary Fisher, one of the founding members of NRCSA.  Prior to moving into administration, Gary served as a music teacher.

This year’s Gary Fisher Outstanding Music Teacher Award recipient is praised for being an inspiration in creating a strong music presence within the both the community and in the school setting. This teacher focuses on their student’s musical talents and encourages them to perform in front of their parents, family members, and community in both vocal music and by playing a variety of different musical instruments. 

Within the school setting, this music educator facilitates programs for Veterans’ Day. She works with our local VFW at the Veterans’ Day Program. They bring in the mannequins displaying the various uniforms worn through the years. They facilitate a recorder program for 4th grade students, and they lead groups in caroling at the local nursing home over the holiday season.  

Not only has this music educator built a dynamic music program, they have gone above and beyond to help develop and sustain a social and emotional learning program called “Mindful Mornings” to promote mindfulness within the school.  She has led outreach events within the community to promote mental health and has been a regular volunteer for after school tutoring for students who struggle in reading.  

A fellow staff member stated, “From the moment we met, I was impressed with her high level of responsibility and reliability in a variety of situations.  She is a very conscientious individual with a passion for music education. She works diligently to ensure that all students' needs are met in a variety of capacities and I continue to be impressed with her drive and desire to perform at a high level, no matter what the task.”