Congratulations to Jenny Nichols, our AZ ASTA Outstanding String Orchestra Teacher for 2022-2023!

Jenny Nichols has taught orchestra and general music for Gilbert Public School District for 39 years. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education and Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Mrs. Nichols became Nationally Board Certified in 2009 and recertified in 2019. Mrs. Nichols currently teaches orchestra at Gilbert Elementary and Ashland Ranch Elementary Schools. In addition to her teaching duties, she is the District Department Chair for Elementary Strings.  Jenny has a passion for teaching teachers and regularly mentors pre-service teachers and teachers new to Gilbert. She loves teaching at conferences and has presented sessions at AZMEA, AZ-ASTA, National ASTA and the NAfME Academy.  She has been awarded the AMEA O.M. Hartsell Excellence in Teaching Music Award and in 2020 the Arizona Music Educator of the Year Award.  Jenny’s favorite students were her four children, all were in her strings class in elementary school.

Check out our previous Teachers of the Year as well!