ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR ARCHIVE

2024 ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR Efrain Casillas (Music), Porfirio H. Gonzales/Desert Oasis, Tolleson Elementary School District 2024 ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS, AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE: Andrea Barallardos (Engineering-CTE/Physics), Douglas High School, Douglas Unified Schools District #27 Marian Johnson (Mathematics/Special Education), Amphitheater High School, Amphitheater School District Kathleen Malkhassian (4th grade General Education), Thomas Elementary, Flagstaff Unified School District Rebecca Oravec (Art) Wrightson Ridge K-8, Sahuarita Unified School District 2024 ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALISTS: Caroline Chung-Wipff (ELA/Social Studies) Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies, Mesa Public Schools Clare Contreras (2nd grade General Education), Sahuarita Primary School, Sahuarita Unified School District Stephanie Likes (Theatre Arts/Stagecraft), Chandler High School, Chandler Unified School District Jessie McKinley (Computer Science & Robotics, Engineering), Madison Camelview, Madison Elementary School District #38 Bridget Montoya (CTE-Education Professions/Math), Flowing Wells High School, Flowing Wells School District

2023 Arizona Teacher of the Year Ty White, Wilcox High School, Wilcox Ambassador for Excellence Amber Gould, Greenway High School, Glendale R Scott Harnisch, Kyrene del Norte Dual Language Academy, Tempe Royd Lee, Tuba City Elementary, Tuba City Annie Shanahan, Maryvale High School, Phoenix Semifinalists Jaime Camero, Douglas Elementary, Tucson Zel Fowler, Emerson Elementary, Phoenix Erin Henderson, North High School, Phoenix Christina Musselman, Starline Elementary, Lake Havasu Robyn Yewell, Winifred Harelson Elementary, Tucson

Arizona Teacher of the Year Nancy Parra-Quinlan, Kino Jr High, Mesa Public Schools Ambassador for Excellence Jason Cantonese, Pueblo del Sol Middle School, Phoenix Ashton Gildea, Waldon Grove High School, Sahuarita Lindsey Peterson, Apollo High School, Glendale Juan Carlo Tulinao, Amberlea Elementary School, Phoenix Semi-finalists Jennifer Cheesman, Zuni Hills Elementary, Sun City Ashley Crose, Saguaro High School, Scottsdale Jessica England, Sahuarita Middle School, Sahuarita Kristina Laborin, Old Vail Middle School, Vail Alyssa Weed, Acacia Elementary, Phoenix

Teacher of the Year Sara Wyffels, Chandler High School, Chandler Unified School District Ambassadors for Excellence Estevan Carreon, Independence High School, Glendale Union High School District Jillian Hernandez, Puente de Hózhó Elementary, Flagstaff Unified School District Sara Mora, Wrightson Ridge School, Sahuarita Unified School District Hillary Stacey, Empire High School, Vail Unified School District ​ Semi-Finalists Jeffrey Mann, Flowing Wells High School, Flowing Wells Unified School District Sharisse Nunes, Falcon Hill Elementary, Mesa Public Schools Nicole Powell, Las Sendas Elementary, Mesa Public Schools Shaylyn Savage, Sunset Ridge Elementary, Pendergast Elementary School District Elizabeth Shaw, Rincon Vista Middle School, Vail Unified School District

Teacher of the Year Lynette Stant, Salt River Elementary School, Salt River Schools Ambassadors for Excellence Ben Collinsworth, Emily Meschter Early Learning Center, Flowing Wells Unified School District Nate Rios, Flowing Wells High School, Flowing Wells Unified School District Sheila Rowe, Coyote Ridge Elementary School, Glendale Elementary School District Taryn Tidwell, Shepherd Junior High School, Mesa Public Schools ​ Semi-Finalists Jessica Buttles, Sunburst Elementary School, Washington Elementary School District Lauren Cluff, Hughes Elementary School, Mesa Public Schools Angie Edington, Faith North Early Childhood Learning Center, Phoenix Elementary School District Allison McElwee, Mountain View Elementary School, Humboldt Unified School District Jennifer Fowler, Greenway High School, Glendale Union High School District

Teacher of the Year Kareem Neal, Maryvale High School, Phoenix Union High School District Ambassadors for Excellence Jonathan Perrone, Mountain Sky Middle School, Washington Elementary School District Maria Barker, Red Mountain Center for Early Education, Mesa Public Schools Lee Ann Howell, Colonel Smith Middle School, Fort Huachuca Accommodation School District Sheri Lloyd, Mountain View School, Dysart Unified School District ​ Semi-Finalists Joshua Farr, Cienega High School, Vail Unified School District Amy Homitzky Henning, Chandler High School, Chandler Unified School District Benjamin Lebovitz, Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita Unified School District Rachel Lodge, Flowing Wells High School, Flowing Wells Unified School District Dr. Lettice Pelotte, Metro Tech High School, Phoneix Union High School District

Teacher of the Year Josh Meibos, David Crockett Elementary School, Balsz Elementary School District Ambassadors for Excellence Amy Ball, Madison Traditional Academy, Phoenix Allison Davis, Knox Gifted Academy, Chandler Erica Davis, Basha High School, Chandler Justean Palmer, Canyon Ridge, Surprise ​ Semi-Finalists Brenda Kilmurray, Huachuca Mountain Elementary, Sierra Vista Leah Oliver, Mountain View High School, Tucson Janelle Roberts-Perrin, Cactus Shadows High School, Scottsdale Ruth Ruiz, Clarendon Elementary School, Phoenix Nichole Spencer, Wilson Elementary School, Phoenix

Teacher of the Year Michelle Doherty, Encanto School, Phoenix Ambassadors for Excellence Chrissy DeBono, Cottonwood Elementary School, Vail Lori Lyford, Chandler High School, Chandler Jena Phillips, Bogle Jr. High School, Chandler Maria Plata, Kyrene del Norte School, Tempe ​ Semi-Finalists Karen Bristow, Buena High School, Sierra Vista Donnie Dicus, Manuel Pena Elementary School, Phoenix Kathy Hoover, Kofa High School, Yuma Mina Lorona, Villago Middle School, Casa Grande Elaine Veatch, Longfellow Elementary School, Mesa

Teacher of the Year Christine Marsh, Chaparral High School, Scottsdale Ambassadors for Excellence Jennifer Anglin, Flowing Wells Jr. High School, Tucson Angelia Ebner, Maricopa Elementary School, Maricopa Beth Snyder, Akimel A-al Middle School, Phoenix Mike Vargas, Pinnacle High School, Phoenix ​ Semi-Finalists Nicholas Gearing, Boulder Creek High School, Anthem Janice Mak, Explorer Middle School, Phoenix Mary McGraw, Anza Trail School, Sahuarita Sandy Stones, Mesa High School, Mesa Whitney Tapia, Knoles Elementary School, Flagstaff

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, Wilcox Middle and High School, Wilcox Jeffrey Taylor, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff ​ Semi-Finalists Angela Guerra, Sahuarita Intermediate School, Sahuarita Holly Kain, Hamilton High School, Chandler Jack Murphy, Centennial Elementary School, Tucson Christopher Raso, Canyon Ridge School, Surprise Suzanne Vogt, Trevor G. Browne High School, Phoenix

Teacher of the Year Beth Hutchins-Maloney, Sunset Hill 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 ​ Semi-Finalists Robert Becker, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson Amy Furman, Kyrene Aprende Middle School, Chandler Christine Sapio, Coconino High School, Flagstaff Elizabeth Schley, South Valley Jr. High School, Gilbert Mike Schmidt, University High School, Tucson

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 ​ Semi-Finalists Sarah Burgess, Hamilton High School, Chandler Michael Frank, Empire High School, Tucson Jonathan Howell, EVIT, Mesa Kimberly Lynch, Ellsworth Elementary School, San Tan Valley Julie Tatum, Sahuarita Intermediate School, Sahuarita

Teacher of the Year Kristie Martorelli-Jackson, Thompson Ranch Elementary School, El Mirage Ambassadors for Excellence Cindy Pino, Perry High School, Gilbert Debora Young, Robert Richardson Elementary School, Tucson Sofia Gamez, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado Elementary, Nogales Tara Bernier, Queen Creek Elementary School, Queen Creek ​ Semi-Finalists Brandon Buck, Mountain Pointe High School, Phoenix Colleen Frederick, Estes Elementary School, Marana Daniel Dodge, North High School, Phoenix Dr. Michael McKelvy, Basha High School, Chandler Kristine Moore, Boulder Creek Elementary School, Mesa

Teacher of the Year Amanda McAdams, Apollo High School, Glendale Ambassadors for Excellence Pam Barrier, Boulder Creek High School, Anthem Brandi Dignum, Richardson Elementary School, Tucson Josh Tabor, Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson Andy Townsend, Elvira Elementary School, Tucson ​ Semi-Finalists Juei-Ping "Tina" Chiu, Mitchell Elementary School Scott Fray, West Sedona School Amy Metcalf, Cactus Shadows High School Mario Ruiz, Flowing Wells Junior High School Toni Ann Schadler, Coatimundi Middle School

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 School, Sahuarita Jamie Valderrama, Higley High School, Gilbert ​ Semi-Finalists Karen Brown, North Ranch Elementary School Katherine Burgess, Holmes Elementary School Beth Malapanes, Canyon del Oro High School K.R. Scott, Mountain Pointe High School Sandra Trevino, Buena High School

Teacher of the Year Sarah Baird, Kyrene School District, Tempe 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 ​ Semi-Finalists Becky Cuperus, Harold W. Smith School Sara Egli, Maurice C. Cash Elementary School Melissa Haile, Palmcroft Elementary School Rebecca Lyn Hurst, Flowing Wells High School Christopher Martin, Howenstine High Magnet School

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 ​ Semi-Finalists Sue Butler, Howenstine High Magnet School Vicki Hilliker, Skull Valley Elementary School Joani Share, Arcadia High School Rachel Stafford, Mesquite High School Jeanine Swan, Village Meadows Elementary School

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 ​ Semi-Finalists Kristina Grebloski, Mountain View High School Kevin Harcourt, Sahuarita Middle School Leslie Maier, Esperanza Elementary School Amanda Patrie, Gateway Early College High School Julie Rzemien, Hillcrest Middle School

Teacher of the Year Lucy Popson, Walter Douglas Elementary School, Tucson Ambassadors for Excellence Beth Cirzan, Marana High School, Tucson Susan Huber, Las Brisas Elementary School, Tucson Tamara McAllister, Laguna Elementary School, Tucson Terry Moody, Desert Sky Middle School, Glendale ​ Semi-Finalists Glenda DeMoss, Esperero Canyon Middle School Dr. Stephanie Duisberg, Amphitheater High School Linda Siegwald, Desert Valley Elementary Janice Simmons, Saguaro Elementary School Gail Svor, Sunrise Mountain High School

Teacher of the Year Kimberly Babeu, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson Ambassadors for Excellence Larry Johnson, Brimhall Jr High School, Mesa Linda Laneback, Frank Elementary School, Guadalupe Deedy Payne, Mountainside Middle School, Scottsdale Christopher Yetman, Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson ​ Semi-Finalists Dean Anderson, Chandler High School, Chandler Barbara Hatch, Cactus Shadows High School Debra Johnson, Holiday Park School Paula Schmitt, Madison Meadows Middle School Beverly Waters, Flowing Wells High School

Teacher of the Year Jane Robertson, Abia Judd Elementary School, Prescott Ambassadors for Excellence Cynthia Chovich, Frontier Elementary School, Peoria Vivian Hunt, Apache Elementary School, Peoria Steven Kraus, Orange Grove Middle School, Tucson Harriet Sandberg, Andalucia Primary School, Phoenix ​ Semi-Finalists Abby Dupke, Dobson High School, Mesa Judith Gentry, Tortolita Middle School, Tucson Karyl Goldsmith, Sedona Red Rock High School, Sedona Maria Nunes, Mesquite Elementary School, Tucson Brenda Semanick, Desert View High School, Tucson

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 ​ Semi-Finalists Conrad Davis, Chaparral High School, Scottsdale Robert Gaston, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson Vivian Hunt, Apache Elementary School, Peoria Thomas Jones, Tuba City High School, Tuba City Michael Marbut, Laguna Elementary School, Scottsdale

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, Mesa Anthony Hieb, Desert View High School, Tucson Jay Stanforth, J. Robert Hendricks Elementary School, Tucson

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, Mesa Terrie St. Michel, South Mountain High School, Phoenix

Teacher of the Year Jim Manley, Stevenson Elementary School, Mesa Ambassadors for Excellence Debra Bergman, Los Ninos Elementary School, Tucson Jim Greene, Mountain View High School, Mesa Tammy Waller, Mountain Ridge High School, Glendale Diane Weeks, Richardson Elementary School, Tucson

Teacher of the Year Ginny Kalish, Palomino Elementary School, Phoenix Ambassadors for Excellence Lynn Alloway, Madison Rose Lane Elementary School, Phoenix Liz Duncan, Valley View Elementary School, Phoenix Pamela Roggeman, Mountain View High School, Mesa David Towne, Flowing Wells Junior High School, Tucson

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

Teacher of the Year Patty Stowers, Flowing Wells High School, Tucson Ambassadors of Excellence Terry Bagwell, Naylor Middle School, Tucson Ingrid Novodvorsky, Mountain View High School, Tucson Patty Tate, Osborn School District, Phoenix Judy Atkins, Scott Libby Elementary School, Litchfield Park

Teacher of the Year Robert Campbell, Cartwright Preschool & Gifted Center, Phoenix Ambassadors for Excellence Jodi Chesbro, Buckeye Elementary School Cathy Cunningham, Peralta Elementary School Barry Roth, Saguaro High School Eileen Snook, Challenger Middle School

Teacher of the Year Rod Castillo, Mesa High School, Mesa Ambassadors for Excellence John Calvin, Saguaro High School Jina M. Ferraro, Cactus View Elementary School Kathe Ketchem, Pine Strawberry School Lucia Kisiel, Apollo High School

Teacher of the Year Margo Stone, Centennial Elementary School, Tucson

Teacher of the Year Karen Butterfield, Coconino High School, Flagstaff Ambassadors of Excellence Grace Close, Canyon del Oro High School, Tucson Lorene Ely, South Mountain High School, Phoenix Catherine Garza, Byran A Berry Elementary School, Phoenix Troy Hutchings, Paradise Valley High School, Phoenix

Teacher of the Year Walt Snow, Westwood High School, Mesa

Teacher of the Year Liz Bradshaw, Acacia Elementary School, Vail

Teacher of the Year Rachel Moreno, flowing Wells High School, Tucson

Teacher of the Year Marilyn Buehler, North High School, Phoenix

Teacher of the Year Peggy Steffens, Cross Middle School, Tucson Ambassadors of Excellence David Hanson, Peoria High School, Peoria Nancy Helms, Washington Elementary, Prescott Judy Matthews, Flowing Wells, Tucson Chrysanthe Niedner, Horizon High School, Paradise Valley

Teacher of the Year: Betty Jo Evers Ambassadors of Excellence: Jody Chambers Kathy Wiebke Jose Bernal Dan Bailey

Teacher of the Year Terri Fields, Sunnyslope High School, Phoenix Ambassador of Excellence Karyn Blair, Flowing Wells High School

Teacher of the Year Tony Cosmano, Shea Middle School, Phoenix

Teacher of the Year Archie Romney, Sahuarita High School, Sahuarita

Teacher of the Year Marguerite Johnson Caldwell, Sunnyside High School, Tucson