Behind every great performance is inspiration, and behind that inspiration is a great teacher. Carnegie Mellon University and the Tony Awards have announced Corey Mitchell, theater arts teacher at the Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, N.C., as the inaugural winner of the Excellence in Theatre Education Award.

This special honor recognizes a K-12 theatre educator in the U.S. who has demonstrated monumental impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession. More than 4,000 applications were received for this year’s educator award.

Mitchell, a 20-year veteran of the classroom, receives the Excellence in Theatre Education Award during the 69th Annual Tony Awards telecast on June 7, 2015.