DTE Energy Foundation Educator of the Year

Each season, UMS invites the southeastern Michigan community to help us choose the DTE Energy Foundation Educator of the Year. The award honors educators who value the importance of arts education, who create a culture for the arts to flourish in their school communities, or use the arts to inspire, energize, and challenge the limits of their classrooms. It’s not only arts specialists who qualify, but any educator who encourages and supports an appreciation for the arts in their school.

Do you know a teacher who values the importance of arts education? An educator who creates a culture for the arts to flourish in their school community? Or uses arts strategies to inspire, energize, and challenge their students?

Join us in helping to give these exceptional educators the recognition and support they deserve.

Benefits & Eligibility

Award Benefits

• Complimentary tickets to one UMS School Day Performance for the winning educator’s classroom, plus reimbursement for transportation (up to 35 students).
• An interaction with a visiting artist on the UMS season. The type of artist interaction will depend on artist and availability; examples include a student assembly, workshop, or meet-and-greet after the performance.
• Public recognition of awardee in local media outlets, social media platforms, their school community, school board, and district administration.
• Up to 4 complimentary tickets to a UMS performance selected from the 2024-2025 season, some restrictions may apply.
• A $250 honorarium.

Eligibility

• Nominees for the Educator of the Year (EOY) award may be any individual who works full-time in K-12 education with or on behalf of students or young learners.
• Previous participation in UMS programs is NOT a requirement for this award; educators are only eligible to receive the award once.
• Nominations must address the following criteria:
  • How the educator actively creates a culture of the arts at their school.
  • How the educator facilitates arts experiences within their school community.
  • How the educator creates opportunities for students to engage with the arts experiences in the community beyond school.
  • The ability of the educator to overcome obstacles and be successful.
  • How the educator’s work impacts students and/or the school community.

Nomination & Selection

Nomination Process (Phase One):

• The Educator of the Year (EOY) must be nominated for the award.
• Anyone in the community can nominate an educator for the award, including administration, teachers, school staff, parents, and students (13 yrs. or older).
• Each nominator must complete an online application; incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• Each application must include one (1) brief reference from members of the school community.

Selection Process (Phase Two):

• Applications will be reviewed by a committee of UMS staff and community members affiliated with the education and/or arts communities. The award committee will choose three (3) finalists.
• Each finalist will be interviewed by the committee (via zoom).
• Finalists may be asked to submit a short biography that outlines some of their career highlights.
• Finalists may submit any additional documents to support their nomination.
• All finalists, nominators, and school administration will be notified of the final outcome by email.

View Assessment Rubric (PDF)