This award recognizes teachers in the beginning of their career who are showing exemplary work with their students and in their communities. Ideal candidates for this award are within the first 7 years of their teaching career, inspire exemplary musicianship in their students, and have been an active participant in OMEA events.
| Year | Recipient | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | John Lampus | Beaumont Middle School (Portland) |
| 2022 | Cooper Ottum | Summit High School (Bend) |
| 2023 | Cole Haole-Valenzuela | West Salem High School (Salem) |
| 2024 | Suvi Mirka | Gordon Russel Middle School (Gresham) |