press packet - Arizona Educational Foundation

PRESS PACKET 2017 Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards Luncheon Thursday, November 17, 2016, 11:00 am - 1:30pm MT Event Sponsor + Logistics Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF)    

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AEF has been serving the state’s public education system as a champion of excellence in public schools across the state since 1983. Founded by: former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Warner, Basha’s CEO and education advocate Eddie Basha, and retired director of public relations for The Arizona Republic, Bill Shover. This is the 34th year AEF has hosted its annual Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards luncheon. This is the 6th year AEF has hosted the luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore. o Governor Doug Ducey submitted a video address congratulating the teachers and thanking the 2016 Arizona Teacher of the Year, Christine Marsh. o Kim Covington, Former 12 News anchor and School Solutions Reporter, is emceeing the event. Kim is currently the Senior Director of Community Initiatives at the Arizona Community Foundation. Learn more about AEF and the Teacher of the Year program at http://azedfoundation.org/programs/teacher-of-the-year/ .

Program Details  

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The Teacher of the Year program is one of 7 programs hosted by AEF. Teachers may self-nominate, be nominated by a student, co-worker, administrator, school or district committee, friend or family member to apply for the award. To be considered for the award, teacher candidates must submit a written application that is reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of educators, students and members of the business community. Ten finalists are selected from the written applications. The 10 finalists are asked to prepare a 15-minute DVD teaching in the classroom. The final selection process includes review of the DVD, an interview and an impromptu speech by each of the 10 finalists. ELIGIBILITY: o Spend the majority (over 50%) of the school day in direct instruction to students; o Currently be certified to teach in Arizona; o Have completed at least four (4) full years as a classroom teacher at the time the application is submitted for consideration; o Teach any grade or combination of grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 in a traditional district or charter public school in Arizona;

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Be a full-time teacher and plan to continue in an active teaching status through 2017; o Not have been selected as an AEF™ Teacher of the Year, Semi-Finalist, or Ambassador for Excellence in the past. The Arizona Teacher of the Year is Arizona’s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award, hosted and run by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). o CCSSO has hosted the National Teacher of the Year program since 1952. The National Teacher of the Year is chosen from among the State Teachers of the Year by a National Selection Committee representing the major national education organizations. Each April, the NTOY is introduced to the American people by the President of the United States.

2017 Top 10 Teachers The five 2017 Ambassadors for Excellence – one of whom will be named the 2017 AEF Arizona Teacher of the Year – are:     

Chrissy DeBono, Second – Fifth Grade Math Teacher at Cottonwood Elementary School of Vail Unified School District, Tucson; Michelle Doherty, First Grade Teacher at Encanto School of Osborn Elementary School District, Phoenix; Lori Lyford, High School Music and Choral Teacher at Chandler High School of Chandler Unified School District; Jena Phillips, Middle School Science Teacher at Bogle Jr. High School of Chandler Unified School District; Maria Plata, First Grade Spanish Immersion Teacher at Kyrene del Norte School in Kyrene School District, Tempe.

Five additional teachers were selected as Semifinalists (not in contention for the 2017 Teacher of the Year award):     

Karen Bristow, Twelfth Grade English Teacher at Buena High School of Sierra Vista Unified School District; Donnie Dicus, Third Grade Teacher at Manuel Peňa Elementary School of Cartwright Elementary School District, Phoenix; Kathy Hoover, High School CTE Sports Medicine Teacher at Kofa High School of Yuma Union High School District; Mina Lorona, Seventh Grade Language Arts Teacher at Villago Middle School of Casa Grande Elementary School District; Elaine Veatch, Fifth Grade Teacher at Longfellow Elementary School of Mesa Unified School District.

Prizes 

Cash awards, program memberships, travel, parade participation, and additional miscellaneous prizes are listed at http://azedfoundation.org/programs/teacher-of-theyear/.

Top Five Teacher Areas of Focus 

Chrissy DeBono, Second – Fifth Grade Math Teacher at Cottonwood Elementary School of Vail Unified School District, Tucson

Innovative teaching structures and public school (and teacher) funding. 

Michelle Doherty, First Grade Teacher at Encanto School of Osborn Elementary School District, Phoenix

Teacher support and funding. 

Lori Lyford, High School Music and Choral Teacher at Chandler High School of Chandler Unified School District

Public school support from the legislator. 

Jena Phillips, Middle School Science Teacher at Bogle Jr. High School of Chandler Unified School District

Professional learning communities and general community by and for teachers to promote retention and wellbeing. 

Maria Plata, First Grade Spanish Immersion Teacher at Kyrene del Norte School in Kyrene School District, Tempe

Celebrating differences in education among staff peers and promoting dual immersion programs.

Past Teachers of the Year, Ambassadors for Excellence 2016 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Christine Marsh, Chaparral High School, Scottsdale AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Jennifer Anglin, Flowing Wells Junior High School, Tucson Angelia Ebner, Maricopa Elementary School, Maricopa Elizabeth Snyder, Akimel A-al Middle School, Phoenix Michael Vargas, Pinnacle High School, Phoenix 2015 TEACHER OF THE YEAR John-David Bowman, Westwood High School, Mesa AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Kaci Heins, Northland Preparatory Academy, Flagstaff Kevin Kehl, Andrada Polytechnic High School, Tucson Margie Looney, Willcox Middle and High School, Willcox Jeffrey Taylor, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff 2014 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Beth Maloney, Sunset Hills Elementary School, Surprise AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Dayna Burke, Sahuarita Primary School, Sahuarita Tara Dale, Akimel A-al Middle School, Phoenix Tabetha Finchum, Centennial Elementary School, Tucson Jonathan Parker, Thunderbird High School, Phoenix 2013 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Nancie Lindblom, Skyline High School, Mesa AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Becky Cavazos, Borton Magnet School, Tucson Lindsey Connor, San Tan Elementary School, Gilbert Katrina Herrera, Sierra Middle School, Tucson Jose “Chach” Snook, Flowing Wells Junior High School, Tucson

2012 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Kristie Martorelli, Thompson Ranch Elementary School, el Mirage AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Tara Bernier, Queen Creek Elementary School, Queen Creek Sofia Gamez, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado Elementary School, Nogales Cindy Pino, Perry High School, Gilbert Debbie Young, Richardson Elementary School, Tucson 2011 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Amanda McAdams, Glendale Union High School District, Glendale AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Pam Barrier, Boulder Creek High School, Anthem Brandi Dignum, Flowing Wells District, Tucson Josh Tabor, Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson Andy Townsend, Elvira Elementary School, Tucson 2010 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Joy Weiss, Balsz Elementary School, Phoenix AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Donna Moore, Julia Randall Elementary School, Payson Cynthia Rolewski, La Cima Middle School, Tucson Barb Tingle, Sahuarita Primary Schoo, Sahuarita Jamie Valderrama, Higley High School, Gilbert 2009 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Sarah Baird, Kyrene School District, Phoenix AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Manuel Chavez, First Avenue Elementary School, San Manuel Becca Hughes, La Cima Middle School, Tucson Brian MacKenzie, Patagonia Union High School, Patagonia Deb Moore, Raymond S. Kellis High School, Glendale

2008 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Robert Kelty, Puente de Hozho Elementary School, Flagstaff AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Charles Gallagher, Santa Rita High School, Tucson Krista Gypton, Empire High School, Vail Lisa Hoelzen, Copper Creek Elementary School, Glendale Freddy Yanez, Desert Ridge High School, Mesa 2007 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Kristin Bourguet, Marana High School, Tucson AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Laurie Burrell, Wilson K-8 School, Oro Valley Wendy Hild, Mountain Ridge High School, Glendale Mary Perez, Tombstone High School, Tombstone Mamie Spillane, Prince Elementary School, Tucson 2006 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Lucy Popson, 3rd Grade, Walter Douglas Elementary School, Tucson AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Beth Cirzan, 9-12 Grade Language Arts, Marana High School, Tucson Susan Huber, 1st Grade, Las Brisas Elementary School, Glendale Tamara McAllister, 2nd Grade, Laguna Elementary School, Tucson Terry Moody, 8th Grade Special Education, Desert Sky Middle School, Glendale 2005 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Kimberly Babeu, Flowing Wells Jr High School, Tucson, AZ AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Larry Johnson, Brimhall Jr High School, Mesa, AZ Linda Laneback, Frank Elementary School, Guadalupe, AZ Deedy Payne, Mountainside Middle School, Scottsdale, AZ Christopher Yetman, Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson, AZ

2004 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Jane Robertson, Abia Judd Elementary School, Prescott AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Cynthia Chovich, Frontier Elementary School, Payson Vivian Hunt, Apache Elementary School, Peoria Steven Kraus, Orange Grove Middle School, Tucson Harriet Sandberg, Andalucia Primary School, Phoenix 2003 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Rich Mayorga, Sunnyside High School, Tucson AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Robert Anderson, Nogales High School, Nogales Mary Lara, DeMiguel Elementary School, Flagstaff Susana Pederson, Naylor Middle School, Tucson Nikki Serafin, Madison Rose Lane School, Phoenix 2002 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Maria Frontain, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Kathi Baron, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff Kevin Corner, Mountain View High School, Tucson (Marana) Anthony Hieb, Desert View High School, Tucson (Sunnyside) Jay Stanforth, J. Robert Hendricks Elementary School, Tucson (Flowing Wells) 2001 TEACHER OF THE YEAR John Mulcahy, Peoria High School, Peoria AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Peggy Grubel, Madison Park School, Phoenix Jennifer McFarland, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff Andrew Morrill, Mountain View High School, Tucson Terrie St. Michel, South Mountain High School, Phoenix

2000 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Jim Manley, Stevenson Elementary, Mesa AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Debra Bergman, Los Ninos Elementary, Tucson Jim Greene, Mountain View High School, Tucson Tammy Waller, Mountain Ridge High School, Glendale Diane Weeks, Richardson Elementary, Tucson 1999 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Ginny Kalish, Palomino Elementary, Phoenix AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Lynn Alloway, Madison Rose Lane Elementary, Phoenix Liz Duncan, Valley View, Phoenix Pamela Roggeman, Mountain View High School, Tucson David Towne, Flowing Wells Junior High School, Tucson 1998 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Peggy Woods, Amphi High School, Tucson AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Judy Campbell, Greenbrier Elementary, Glendale Lynette Geake, Hidden Hills Elementary, Phoenix Marolyn Haws, Esperanza Elementary, Phoenix Michele Jackson, Hendricks Elementary, Tucson 1997 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Patty Stowers, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE Judy Atkins, Scott Libby Elementary, Litchfield Park Terry Bagwell, Naylor Middle School, Tucson Ingrid Novodvorsky, Mountain View High School, Tucson Patty Tate, Osborn School District, Phoenix 1996 Robert Campbell, Cartwright Preschool & Gifted Center, Phoenix

1995 Rod Castillo, Mesa High School, Mesa 1994 Margo Stone, Centennial Elementary School, Tucson 1993 Dr. Karen Butterfield, Coconino High School, Flagstaff 1992 Walter Snow, Westwood High School, Mesa 1991 Elizabeth Bradshaw, Acacia Elementary School, Vail 1990 Rachel Sara Moreno, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson *National Teacher of the Year Finalist 1989 Marilyn Buehler, North High School, Phoenix 1988 Peggy Steffens, Cross Jr. High School, Tucson 1987 Jose Bernal, Jody Chambers, Betty Evers and Kathleen Wiebke 1986 Terri Fields, Sunnyslope High School, Phoenix 1985 Tony Cosmano, Shea Middle School, Phoenix 1984 Archie Romney, Sahuarita High School, Sahuarita 1983 Marguerite Johnson Caldwell, Sunnyside High School, Tucson