About Teacher of the Year

CONGRATULATIONS to JOY WEISS, 2010 Arizona Teacher of the Year! Ms. Weiss, a 1st grade teacher at Balsz Elementary School in Phoenix, was named 2010 Teacher of the Year on November 5, 2009, at the annual awards luncheon at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. Video >

The following teachers will serve as 2010 Ambassadors for Excellence:

• Donna Moore, Physical Education teacher at Julia Randall Elementary School in Payson. Video >
• Cynthia Rolewski, Technology and Reading teacher at La Cima Middle School in Tucson (Amphitheater Unified District). Video >
• Barb Tingle, Kindergarten teacher at Sahuarita Primary School in Sahuarita. Video >
• Jamie Valderrama, Science teacher at Higley High School in Gilbert (Higley Unified District). Video >

WHAT IS IT?
The Arizona Teacher of the Year program is the only statewide program that spotlights the contributions of Arizona’s teachers. The program annually recognizes five exceptionally skilled and dedicated pre-kindergarten through 12th Grade public school teachers. Nominees are those individuals who have gained the respect and admiration of students, parents, and co-workers. They play an active and useful role in their communities as well as their schools, often distinguishing themselves as leaders. They have a superior ability to help all students achieve.

WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
April/May - Applications become available to schools and teachers statewide
August - Applications due to Arizona Educational Foundation
late September/early October - Finalists notified; interviews conducted
November - Teacher of the Year named

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Teachers may self-nominate, be nominated by a student, a co-worker, a principal, a school or district committee, a friend or family member to apply for the award. Teacher nominees/applicants 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 videotape. The final selection process includes review of the videotape, an interview and an impromptu speech by each of the 10 finalists. Following that process, the Teacher of the Year is selected along with four “Ambassadors for Excellence” and five finalists. The Teacher of the Year and Ambassadors have multiple opportunities during the year to make public appearances throughout the state, speaking to professional, civic, educational, parent and student groups.

Former Teachers of the Year, Ambassadors or Finalists are ineligible to apply for the award.

WHAT ARE THE REWARDS?

The Teacher of the Year

• Receives a $20,000 cash award
• Receives a laptop computer from Intel Corporation
• Competes for the honor of National Teacher of the Year *
• Attends Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama
• Meets the President of the United States
• Receives a full scholarship from Argosy University to earn a masters or doctorate degree in education
• Receives professional speech training
• Consideration by Arizona Board of Regents to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from NAU
• Invited to serve as an adjunct professor for one year at NAU
• Receives a SMART®board
• Marches in Fiesta Bowl Parade on Wells Fargo Stagecoach
• Attends sporting event in Wells Fargo Suite at US Airways Arena or the Ballpark

  The 4 Ambassadors

• Receive a $5,000 cash award
• Receive a laptop computer
• Receive professional speech training
• Scholarship from Argosy University for 50% of the cost of tuition to earn a masters or doctorate degree in education
• Marches in Fiesta Bowl Parade on Wells Fargo Stagecoach
• Attends sporting event in Wells Fargo Suite at US Airways Arena or the Ballpark
  

WHO MAKES THIS POSSIBLE?
Sponsored by:
Wells Fargo Bank

In collaboration with:
The Arizona Republic
Intel Corporation

Ambassador Sponsors:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Intel Corporation
SRP
The Whiteman Foundation

Click here for information about the Esperanza Teacher Awards presented by Chicanos por la Causa.

*The National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) program is the oldest and most prestigious honors program to focus public attention on excellence in teaching. It is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), a nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C. The NTOY program is sponsored by ING Group.