Mary Piercey-Lewis is the recipient of the 2021 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year award.
Iqaluit teacher wins national music education award
Mary Piercey-Lewis named 2021 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year
An Iqaluit-based teacher has won a national music award, which comes with an investment into Inuksuk high school’s music program.
Mary Piercey-Lewis was announced the winner of the 2021 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year award Sunday night at the Junos.
She said she is “thrilled” to have won the award.
“It is an honour to be recognized as a dedicated, hard-working teacher, yet this award would not have been possible without the hard work and commitment from the students and staff of Inuksuk High School.”
Piercey-Lewis was honoured for her work revitalizing Inuit music and through transcribing it and teaching it to her students.
Her work has led to a first for Nunavut — a textbook of Inuit choral music, according to a news release from the Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation, which presented the award. She is currently working on a second book.
Piercey-Lewis’s work “exemplifies excellence in music education,” said Kristy Fletcher, executive director of MusiCounts.
“She is committed to students and expertly delivers culturally relevant music programming to her community.”
The award comes with a $10,000 cash prize, a donation to the Inuksuk High School music program and a Juno statuette.
Piercey-Lewis was one of five teachers nominated across Canada.
Wonderful news! My two under-grads continue to thrive in school. Due in no small part to their music teachers of past and present. Studies have shown that a child’s engagement in music education enhances their focus on other disciplines, such as the STEM areas of study. Music Educators such as Ms. Piercey-Lewis are certainly worth their weight in gold!!!
Very happy to see! Mary has been living in the north for YEARS helping our children. Bravo Mary!
Thank you Mary and what an accomplishment! Congratulations!
Thank You for putting Nunavut on the map! It is always good to hear encouragement, Merci! Thank you! Qujjanamiik! KOANA!