BOARDMAN, Ohio - Many award-winning musicians will tell you that they were inspired by a great music teacher.

That's why the Grammy's have created the Music Educator Award.

The first one will be handed out next February and Boardman Band Director Tom Ruggieri is among the nominees.

"I was in tears. I truly was. It felt so good and humbling to be thought of that way," says Ruggieri.

Ruggieri was nominated by four people. So far, he is among 217 teachers selected from 3,000 nominations. He has submitted video-taped "essays" and answered specific questions.

"They wanted a sample of my teaching. So I gave them some of me in this room with jazz ensemble two," he says.

The Grammy's will then go through two more rounds of eliminations.

The winner will be flown to Los Angeles, to attend the Grammy's and accept the award.

The winner will also receive $10,000 and his or her school will win $10,000.

"We have lots of old instruments and I think for the most part we'll replace some of those old instruments," Ruggieri says.

The Grammy Foundation is already familiar with Boardman's music program after designating it a Grammy Signature School in 2007.

Win or lose, Ruggieri hopes the new award category will motivate schools across the country to keep and improve their music programs.