A music teacher at H.J. Cody High School in Sylvan Lake with a career that spans over 20 years was recognized for her love of teaching by being nominated for the prestigious MusiCounts Teacher of the Year award.

In order to be nominated, MusiCounts must first award their school a $10,000 grant, which they received last year.

Kerry Heisler she said she was nominated by a fellow teacher, which was then supported by her principle and students, who wrote about the impact Heisler has had in her 21 years at HJ Cody.

“That’s how I got the opportunity to sort of reflect on my career and see how being a part of a community for such a long time has a lasting impact, and it was a really great honour.”

The award is designed to celebrate those who's musical excellence and work does toward ensuring all children and youth in Canada have access to musical education.

Heisler says although she didn't win, she was still honoured to be included in a group of teachers who are passionate about educating. 

“It’s really great to see educators that are still engaged and passionate about their programs and wanting to just do good things for kids. But just to be considered a finalist in the country for something like this was extremely humbling and I felt very honoured to just be considered at all.”

Heisler used that $10,000 grant to purchase new instruments, and she's also known to build and modify instruments herself, in order to make them more accessible to students.