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Congratulations to Teacher of the Year Stephen Pickard!
Teacher of the Year Stephen Pickard

PSESD is excited to announce that Stephen Pickard is the 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year! 

Stephen is the Band Director and Music Teacher at Governor John R. Rogers High School and Dessie Evans Elementary School in Puyallup, as well as the Director of Bands for Puyallup School District.

Every year, Washington’s Teacher of the Year program honors outstanding educators like Pickard for their dedication, inspiration to students, support for fellow teachers, and impact on their communities. Each year, every ESD selects one Regional Teacher of the Year through a nomination and evaluation process. Pickard was nominated, evaluated, and selected to receive the award for his experience, superb work performance, professional leadership and collaboration, and overall dedication.

A Dedicated Music Educator

Stephen Pickard is a passionate music educator whose core belief is that music is "a vehicle for connection, empowerment, and critical thinking."

Stephen is dedicated to fostering transformative, inclusive, and joyful musical experiences for every student. "By giving students real choices, elevating diverse voices, and connecting our classroom to the broader community, I help them become not just better musicians, but more engaged, empathetic people," he commented. "This is what defines me as a teacher — and why I believe music education matters."

For Stephen, every student matters, and every student has value. If a student is absent, it's something that affects the entire class. Each student brings something special to the class and contributes something vital to every day. This point of view is evident in his classroom practice and how he has created a place of belonging.
 
He believes that music education is not only about performance, but about helping young people to build confidence, express themselves authentically, and collaborate with purpose. His classroom is designed to be a welcoming space where students from all backgrounds feel seen, heard, and valued.

Cultivating Musicianship and Community

Now entering his 11th year as band director at Governor John R. Rogers High School and Dessie Evans Elementary School in Puyallup, Washington, Stephen leads a comprehensive music program that includes concert bands, jazz ensembles, and percussion groups. He approaches each ensemble as an opportunity to cultivate both musicianship and meaningful community — meeting students where they are and guiding them to where they can go.

His philosophy centers on the idea that music is a vehicle for student growth, identity, and agency. Through thoughtful repertoire choices, student-led reflection, and collaborative rehearsal techniques, he empowers young musicians to take ownership of their learning and connect music to the broader world.

In the Puyallup School District, Stephen has served on arts advocacy and equity-focused teams, including a district Equity in Arts initiative aimed at reimagining traditional music structures to better serve today’s students. He is also an active clinician and mentor, offering workshops and adjudication throughout Washington state that emphasize culturally responsive teaching and student well-being.

Stephen holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Central Washington University, with a focus on instrumental music education and conducting. Outside of the classroom, he performs regularly with the Tacoma Concert Band and Northwest Wind Symphony. He lives in Puyallup with his wife Meghan and their two children, Dawson and Molly — who remind him daily why music, and balance, truly matter.

Learn more about the award at https://ospi.k12.wa.us/educator-support/awards-recognition/educator-awards/teacher-year.
 

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