Carrie Proctor, band director at Westview Middle School, has received the Outstanding Young Educator Award from the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA). The award honors educators who are in their first five years of teaching, have shown significant proficiency in the classroom and have garnered respect in their school community. The award recognizes notable commitment to the art of teaching as well as a demonstrated ability to achieve excellence.

Proctor, who is in her third year at Westview, inspires students to take part in music and fosters an enthusiastic classroom. “Carrie has the ability to create really strong relationships with students and families,” says Westview Middle School Principal, Mark Spencer. “She has been able to create a band classroom where kids are having fun and love to be there, and she’s creating musical excellence.” 

After student teaching for a semester, Proctor was selected to be Westview’s band director ahead of a long list of qualified candidates. A University of Colorado Boulder graduate, Proctor received her Bachelor of Music Education in 2019 and performed with the Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, CU Athletic Bands, and the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. She is also a member of the National Association of Music Educators, the Colorado Bandmasters Association, and performs as a member of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project. During a joint performance with Lyons Middle Senior High School’s band at Planet Bluegrass in December, it was announced that Proctor had been selected for the award and she received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Proctor will be recognized at the CMEA opening session on January 27 at 8:15 a.m.