AZ TEACHER OF THE YEAR ELIGIBILITY
Any full-time certified teacher working in Arizona at a state-accredited public school or school operating under the Bureau of Indian Education is eligible to apply.
Additionally, applicants must:
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Be a full-time certified teacher who intends to continue in an active teaching status through school year 2024-2025. What does “active teaching status” and “full-time” mean? “Active teaching status” means the teacher is planning to continue teaching (e.g. not retiring or moving into an administrative position in the next year). “Full-time” means the teacher spends the majority (over 50%) of their teaching assignment providing meaningful instruction to students (as opposed to primarily coaching teachers or similar activities). There may be some positions where the candidate is still identified as a teacher by their district (e.g. if they are a teacher leader, doing instructional coaching, etc.). In this instance, the individual would need to be on a teacher contract and meet the requirement of spending the majority of their teaching assignment (over 50%) providing meaningful instruction students. Applicants are encouraged to contact Kim Graham at kim@azedfoundation.org to seek clarification if needed.
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Teach any grade Pre-K-12th (or combination) in Arizona. Teachers may work in any content area, including Special Education, P.E., the Arts, etc.
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Have completed at least six (6) full years as a fully certified classroom teacher at the time the application is submitted with the most recent three years in Arizona. Years of student teaching, internships, or apprenticeships do not count toward the 6 year requirement.
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Not have been selected as an AEF™ Teacher of the Year, Semifinalist or Ambassador for Excellence in the past.
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Be available to fulfill ambassadorial duties during the year of recognition and be supported by their employer.
ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR PRIZE PACKAGE*
Additionally, through the generosity of our donors, AEF is able to provide the following* for the top 10 nominated Teachers:
FOR THE ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
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$15,000 cash
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Arizona’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year
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Travel to Washington D.C. to meet the President of the United States (pending each administration)
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Travel to International Space Camp in Huntsville, AL
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Travel to the National Teacher of the Year Program Induction**
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Considered to receive Honorary Doctorate from NAU College of Education
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AZ K12 Center Scholarship to pursue National Board Certification; National Board Pre-Candidacy Class; Six (6) AZK12 Coaching Saturdays; and complimentary registration to the annual Teacher Leadership Institute
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Professional speech and media training led by Heidi Vega (ASBA) and Andrew Morrill (WestEd)
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"Fiesta Bowl Experience Package" provided by Fiesta Bowl Charities; includes special dinner, travel accommodations, Bowl tickets, and on-field recognition at the Fiesta Bowl
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Honored in the Fiesta Bowl Parade on the APS fire engine
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Complimentary field trip for students including admission AND transportation; also includes a complimentary "Arts Immersions Virtual Reality field trip" for students courtesy of Act One.
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One-year membership to Treasures 4 Teachers
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$15 gift card from Lakeshore Learning
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$100 gift card from V.I.P. Mortgage
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iPad and case from Desert Financial
FOR THE FOUR AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE
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$5,000 cash
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AZ K12 Center Scholarship to pursue National Board Certification; National Board Pre-Candidacy Class; Six (6) AZK12 Coaching Saturdays; and complimentary registration to the annual Teacher Leadership Institute
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"Fiesta Bowl Experience Package" provided by Fiesta Bowl Charities; includes special dinner, travel accommodations, Bowl tickets, and on-field recognition at the Fiesta Bowl
-
Honored in the Fiesta Bowl Parade on the APS fire engine
-
Complimentary field trip for students including admission AND transportation; also includes a complimentary "Arts Immersions Virtual Reality field trip" for students courtesy of Act One.
-
Professional speech and media training led by Heidi Vega (ASBA) and Andrew Morrill (WestEd)
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One-year membership to Treasures 4 Teachers
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$15 gift card from Lakeshore Learning
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$100 gift card from V.I.P. Mortgage
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iPad and case from Desert Financial
FOR THE FIVE SEMI-FINALISTS
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$1,000 cash
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Complimentary registration to the AZK12 Center's annual Teacher Leadership Institute
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"Fiesta Bowl Experience Package" provided by Fiesta Bowl Charities; includes special dinner, travel accommodations, Bowl tickets, and on-field recognition at the Fiesta Bowl
-
Honored in the Fiesta Bowl Parade on the APS fire engine
-
Complimentary field trip for students including admission AND transportation; also includes a complimentary "Arts Immersions Virtual Reality field trip" for students courtesy of Act One.
-
One-year membership to Treasures 4 Teachers
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$15 gift card from Lakeshore Learning
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$100 gift card from V.I.P. Mortgage
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iPad and case from Desert Financial
*Awards are dependent on funding and donor participation and are subject to change each year without notice.
**The National Teacher of the Year 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) in partnership with Voya Foundation.
ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR EXPECTATIONS
STEP 1
Once a teacher is nominated, they are provided with a link to the online Arizona Teacher of the Year application. Teachers have until the specified deadline to submit the online application. Included with the application, teachers will also upload three letters of recommendation and a current resume.
STEP 2
The Arizona Teacher of the Year selection panel reviews written applications and narrows them down to the top ten highest rated teachers for that year. The top ten teachers are notified and invited to participate in an in-person interview. Teachers not selected for that year, are encouraged to try again!
STEP 3
If selected as one of the top ten, teachers will attend an in-person interview to meet and interact with the Arizona Teacher of the Year selection panel. Teachers will also be asked to deliver an impromptu speech and be expected to provide a video teaching demonstration.
STEP 4
Following the in-person interviews, the top ten teachers will be notified of results. Five will be named "Ambassadors for Excellence" and five will be semi-finalists. All ten will be celebrated at the Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards. The five Ambassadors will be considered finalists for the Teacher of the Year title, which will be revealed during the Awards.
STEP 5
Due to the generosity of our amazing sponsors and partners, all ten teachers will be beneficiaries of various opportunities throughout the year. The individual ultimately named "Teacher of the Year" and the four Ambassadors engage in a "year of honor"with AEF. This year may include public appearances, speaking engagements, providing professional development, and serving on policy committees and task forces. The Ambassadors and Teacher of the Year are provided with professional speech and storytelling training.
STEP 6
The individual named Arizona Teacher of the Year will have additional opportunities and responsibilities, both in Arizona and outside of the state as part of the National Teacher of the Year program.
Following their year of honor, Teachers of the Year and Ambassadors are encouraged to remain active in a "year of service" as participants in AEF's work by serving on the Teacher of the Year selection panel; serving as a judge for the A+ Schools of Excellence program; and participating in the Arizona Chapter of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year.
ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR® | AEF® STAFF CONTACT
Kim Graham, AEF® Executive Director | 480-421-9376 | kim@azedfoundation.org