Nesbitt Elementary School music teacher Derome to receive prestigious award

Caroline Derome, the music teacher at Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemont, has been named a 2025 Teacher of Distinction. She will be receiving her award from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto on Sunday, November 16.

RCM Teachers of Distinction are leaders in the field of music and arts education, recognized for their contributions of creativity, dedication, innovation, and passion. This award is given to teachers across North America who are recognized as leaders in the field of music and arts education. Through their years of teaching experience, they provide mentorship to other teachers and instill a lifelong love of music and the arts in their students.   There are only seven recipients from Canada this year among 1,400 nominations.

Ms. Derome is a dedicated musician and educator known for her artistry, versatility, and commitment to nurturing musical excellence. She holds a Master of Music degree in Performance from the Université de Montréal and Bachelor of Music degrees in both Performance and Music Education from McGill University. In addition to performing regularly, she teaches flute and piano privately and previously served as a flute instructor and examiner with the McGill Conservatory of Music until its closure in 2022. Her students have received multiple RCM gold medals, earned top placements in prestigious Canadian and international competitions, performed as soloists with youth orchestras, and graced the world stage in venues such as Carnegie Hall.

At Nesbitt, Ms. Derome presents annual school concerts of ensembles involving over 200 children, and her student groups have won several CBC Music Class Challenge Awards. A passionate educator, she instills a "growth mindset" in her students, cultivating curiosity, resilience, and artistic development. She is dedicated to creating a supportive and inspiring learning environment and to sharing her love of music with others. With a firm belief in the transformative power of music, she continues to inspire both audiences and students through performance, mentorship, and lifelong artistic exploration.

“Caroline is an exceptional musician and educator who has made a tremendous impact on our school community,” says Art teacher Matthew Rodrigues. “On a personal note, I have the privilege of working closely alongside Caroline, and I have seen firsthand the passion and dedication she brings to her teaching. She is both humble and inspiring, often placing the spotlight on her students rather than herself.”

Commissioner Maria Corsi and Caroline Derome

Principal Nicholas Romano said he feels privileged to have a teacher like Ms. Derome on his staff. Her efforts have helped showcase the strength of Nesbitt School’s music and arts program, and by extension, the Board’s commitment to cultivating creativity and excellence in our students.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 73 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca