By Tiffany Williams –
WORCESTER, Mass. — Andrea Cook added a major honor to her resume on January 17.
The Burncoat Middle School music teacher was named the 2026 Central Massachusetts Middle School Music Educator of the Year by the Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Association (CDMMEA). The award was presented during the association’s Senior Festival Concert at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, an event that also featured a school-district record 36 Worcester Public Schools students performing.
“There’s so many people who are doing amazing things in the classroom, so it’s really humbling to be recognized for it,” Cook said of the award.
Cook has been with Worcester Public Schools since 2010 and joined Burncoat Middle School in 2017. She teaches general music, chorus, and a music magnet class. In addition to her classroom work, she has helped shape district-wide music education by developing curriculum maps in general music, music theory, and chorus.
Superintendent Brian E. Allen credited Cook’s influence on students and the broader arts community.
“This award is a well-deserved recognition of Ms. Cook’s impact on students and music education in Worcester,” Allen said. “Through her leadership, creativity, and collaboration, Ms. Cook plays an important role in Burncoat Middle School’s arts community, which continues to inspire students every day.”
Cook developed a ukulele curriculum that has expanded across the district, providing students with an accessible introduction to learning a musical instrument. The program has since grown to include additional instruments and hands-on instruction.
“When I approached the middle school classroom, I wanted to do a lot of hands-on work with students, so I created a ukulele curriculum that’s now district wide. It’s really engaging and fun work with the students. It has expanded into rock drumming, and guitars and electric bass, and pianos and marimbas. We get to do really amazing stuff with an easy access point for students,” Cook said.
Cook pointed to collaboration within Burncoat Middle School, particularly among colleagues in the H-Wing, as a key factor in her work.
“I think there’s nothing more fulfilling than getting to live in this little hallway – the H-wing. My colleagues Kellie Shea, Justine Penucci, Meredith Lord, are some of the best colleagues that I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” Cook said.
“It’s really special to see our students work together as a team, and for us as adults to do the same. That teamwork extends outward as we develop strong skills, share them with colleagues, and learn from one another. We’re getting to watch the arts in Worcester grow into something new, which is incredibly exciting.”
Worcester City Councilor At-Large Morris Bergman also commented on the recognition.
“Teachers like Andrea Cook exemplify the talent that exists amongst Worcester Public Schools teachers. This recognition is well deserved and demonstrates that!”
The Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Association is a regional affiliate of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education. The organization promotes music education in Central Massachusetts and hosts annual Junior and Senior festivals, offering audition-based performance opportunities in band, orchestra, jazz, and chorus.