Ottawa teacher wins Teacher of the Year award at Juno Awards

OCDSB Music Teacher, Jeannie Hunter has been nominated for the Music Teacher of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at this year's JUNO Awards.

An Ottawa high school teacher has been recognized for her commitment to inspire and empower students through music, winning the 2025 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award.

Jeannie Hunter, a teacher at Nepean High School, received the honour during the 2025 Juno Awards in Vancouver Sunday night.

“Oh my God,” Hunter said while on stage to accept the award.

“Thank you to MusiCounts and Anthem Entertainment for supporting music education in Canada. To my fellow nominees, you’re amazing. This is for my family, my friends and all of my students.”

• 2025 Juno Awards: Nepean High School teacher nominated for music teacher of the year

Hunter was one of five educators across Canada nominated for the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award.

For over 30 years, Hunter has taught a wide range of music programs with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. She was the founding director of Brookfield High School’s “World Voices Choir,” and has won several teaching awards.

Hunter is an instructor with Ottawa’s Orkidstra and serves as a member of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association Board of Directors.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe congratulated Hunter on social media.

“Thank you, Jeannie, for the incredible inspiration you’ve shared and the countless students you’ve guided through music,” Sutcliffe said.

During an interview on CTV Morning Live last week, Hunter said her passion comes from the kids she teachers.

“It’s all about the kids. Year-to-year I get to work with the same kids, and we have this great connection, and we get to live with them for four years,” Hunter said. “We plan together, we travel together, (and) we have rehearsals at ridiculous early hours of the morning.”

According to the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, the MusiCounts Teachers of the Year Award, presented by the music education charity MusiCounts, shines a spotlight on educators who go above and beyond to inspire and empower students through music.

Hunter receives a $10,000 cash prize, a significant contribution to her school’s music program and a Juno Award.

“MusiCounts is proud to celebrate Jeannie Hunter with the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, presented by Anthem Entertainment,” said Kristy Fletcher, President of MusiCounts. “Jeannie’s career spans three decades, and her influence on students, staff, and her community is remarkable. She is a testament to the impact a music teacher can have, and embodies all of the qualities of an exceptional educator.”

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Toula Mazloum