2026
CMEA-NS Educator of the Year
Nora Hunter
Nora Hunter has been teaching for over 20 years. Originally from Lake Tahoe, Nora moved to beautiful Mill Valley after finishing her master’s at Chico State. While teaching in the North Bay, in addition to her work with the Mill Valley School District, Nora also was the associate conductor for the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra, and later was a music director and music leadership chair for the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley. As a single reed specialist and pianist, Nora regularly accompanies for choral ensembles and also plays in pit orchestras and other symphonic ensembles.
After her children were born, Nora and her family moved back to Chico in 2018 where she currently teaches for both the Chico Unified School District and Chico State. She serves as the Elementary Music Coordinator for the district and also is the general music representative for the North Section of CMEA. For the last two years, Nora has also served as the Mentorship Chair for CMEA. She is passionate about teaching music to young children, and giving students the gift of music that they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Nora still enjoys nature very much, so you will see her out hiking, playing disc golf, water skiing, riding her bike, and she starts her mornings early with yoga. She loves living in Chico where there are great trails, a beautiful park, and a wonderful community to raise her now 7 and 9 year old kids.
After her children were born, Nora and her family moved back to Chico in 2018 where she currently teaches for both the Chico Unified School District and Chico State. She serves as the Elementary Music Coordinator for the district and also is the general music representative for the North Section of CMEA. For the last two years, Nora has also served as the Mentorship Chair for CMEA. She is passionate about teaching music to young children, and giving students the gift of music that they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Nora still enjoys nature very much, so you will see her out hiking, playing disc golf, water skiing, riding her bike, and she starts her mornings early with yoga. She loves living in Chico where there are great trails, a beautiful park, and a wonderful community to raise her now 7 and 9 year old kids.
Past Recipients of
CMEA-NS educator of the year
Nora Hunter, 2026
Austin King, 2025
Mary Colligan, 2024
Dr. Jane Brown, 2023
Todd Filpula, 2022
Katherine Conway, 2021
Mitch Bahr, 2020
Dean Nordby, 2019
Ted Dykstra, 2018
Gavin Spencer, 2017
Deb Wiseman, 2016
Michael Phenicie, 2015
Randy Humphreys, 2014
Karen Clark, 2013
Marsha Roby, 2012
David Green, 2011
Ronald Wolcott, 2010
Karol Forrest, 2009
Deborah Reinhardt, 2008
Nick Biondo, 2007
Thomas Aiken, 2006
Sal D'acquisto, 2005
Cydney Dixon, 2004
Brian McKee, 2003
Deborah Divine, 2002
Dan Neece, 2001
Helen Stephenson, 2000
Austin King, 2025
Mary Colligan, 2024
Dr. Jane Brown, 2023
Todd Filpula, 2022
Katherine Conway, 2021
Mitch Bahr, 2020
Dean Nordby, 2019
Ted Dykstra, 2018
Gavin Spencer, 2017
Deb Wiseman, 2016
Michael Phenicie, 2015
Randy Humphreys, 2014
Karen Clark, 2013
Marsha Roby, 2012
David Green, 2011
Ronald Wolcott, 2010
Karol Forrest, 2009
Deborah Reinhardt, 2008
Nick Biondo, 2007
Thomas Aiken, 2006
Sal D'acquisto, 2005
Cydney Dixon, 2004
Brian McKee, 2003
Deborah Divine, 2002
Dan Neece, 2001
Helen Stephenson, 2000