Art Educator

of the Year Award

Congratulations to the 2025 Art Educator of the Year!

Marissa Austin, K-3 Art Teacher, Franklin Elementary School, Massillon City Schools

Congratulations also to Stephen Imler of Northwest City Schools, the 2025 Music Educator of the Year!

Sixth Annual Art Educator of the Year & Ninth Annual Music Educator of the Year Awards

The Massillon Museum, Canton Museum of Art, and Canton Symphony Orchestra are pleased to announce the winners for the 2025 Art and Music Educator of the Year Awards! We are honored to recognize these talented professionals. The winner of each award was announced during intermission at the Canton Symphony Orchestra's March 22 concert, MasterWorks VI: Tetzloff Plays Beethoven's 1st piano concerto.

The finalists for the 2025 Awards were:

2025 Art Educator of the Year Award Finalists:

-Benjamin Myers, Canton City Schools

-Candice Greene, North Canton City Schools

-Cathy Bravis, Osnaburg Local Schools

-Marissa Austin, Massillon City Schools

-Matthew Ferrell, Massillon City Schools

2025 Music Educator of the Year Award Finalists:

-Debra Bordo, Lake Local Schools

-Dan Nauss, Plain Local Schools

-Sarah McVaney, Louisville City Schoos

-Stephen Imler, Northwest Local Schools

-Douglas Beery, North Canton City Schools

These awards recognize public, private, and parochial Art and Music Educators in the region served by the Stark County Educational Service Center who have positively impacted their students and communities, and who have shown great dedication to the field of Art and Music Education. We present the awards in partnership with the Canton Museum of Art and Canton Symphony Orchestra. The winner of each award received a $500 check. This award was sponsored in part by Michael and Judi Krew.