Teacher of the Year

The AEF Arizona Teacher of the Year program spotlights the contributions of outstanding public school teachers throughout Arizona.

To nominate a teacher for 2014 AEF Teacher of the Year, please click here: TOY Nomination Form

Congratulations 2013 AEF Arizona Teacher of the Year, Nancie Lindblom

The program annually recognizes 10 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.

Congratulations to the 2013 Teacher of the Year, Ambassadors for Excellence and Semi-Finalists:

Teacher of the Year

Nancie Lindblom, 11th grade AP US History, Skyline High School, Mesa (Mesa Unified District)

Ambassadors for Excellence
(one of whom will be named 2013 AZ Teacher of the Year):

Becky Cavazos, 4th grade, Borton Magnet School, Tucson (Tucson Unified District)
Lindsey Connor, 7th grade Mathematics, San Tan Elementary School, Gilbert (Higley Unified District)
Katrina Herrera, 6th – 8th grade Special Education Mathematics, Sierra Middle School Tucson (Sunnyside Unified District)
José “Chach” Snook, 7th – 8th grade Choir and Drama, Flowing Wells Jr. High School, Tucson (Flowing Wells Unified District)

Semi-Finalists
(honored at the luncheon, but not in contention for Teacher of the Year):

Sarah Burgess, 11th grade US History, Hamilton High School, Chandler (Chandler Unified District)
Dr. Michael Frank, 9th – 12th grade Science and Biology, Empire High School, Tucson (Vail Unified District)
Jonathan Howell, 10th – 12th grade Anatomy and Physiology, EVIT/East Valley Institute of Technology, Mesa
Kimberly Lynch, 5th grade, Ellsworth Elementary School, San Tan Valley (J.O. Combs Unified District)
Julie Tatum, Sahuarita Intermediate School, Sahuarita (Sahuarita Unified District)

When Does It Happen?

April – Applications become available to schools and teachers statewide
August – Applications are due to Arizona Educational Foundation
late September/early October – Finalists are notified; interviews are conducted
November – Teacher of the Year is named

Nominations and applications for 2014 Teacher of the Year will be available in the spring of 2013.

How Does It Work?

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. Following that process, the Teacher of the Year is selected, four “Ambassadors for Excellence” are selected and five remain semi-finalists. All 10 are honored at the annual awards luncheon. 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 and Semi-Finalists are ineligible to reapply for the award.

What Are the Rewards?

The Teacher of the Year

Receives a $15,000 cash award
Becomes Arizona’s candidate for 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 toward an advanced degree
Receives professional speech training
Is considered by the Arizona Board of Regents to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Northern Arizona University
Invited to serve as an adjunct professor for one year at NAU
Receives a SMART®board from SMART Technologies, ULC
From the Arizona K12 Center, receives a $2,500 scholarship toward National Board Certification; 3 coaching Saturdays; registration at National Board Summer Institute, Assessment Center and Working Retreat
Receives a “Teacher of the Year” ring from Herff Jones
Attends a sporting event in Wells Fargo Suite at US Airways Arena or the Ballpark
Receives a schoolwide ice cream party compliments of Blue Bell Creameries
Serves for one year as an advocate for the teaching profession by making public appearances statewide, speaking to professional, business, education, civic, parent and student groups

The 4 Ambassadors

Receive a $5,000 cash award
Receive professional speech training
Receive a scholarship from Argosy University for 50% of the cost of tuition toward an advanced degree
From the Arizona K12 Center, receives a $2,500 scholarship toward National Board Certification; 3 coaching Saturdays; registration at National Board Summer Institute, Assessment Center and Working Retreat
Attend a sporting event in Wells Fargo Suite at US Airways Arena or the Ballpark
Receive a schoolwide ice cream party compliments of Blue Bell Creameries
Serve for one year as an advocate for the teaching profession by making public appearances statewide, speaking to professional, business, education, civic, parent and student groups
Receive SMART Technology for the classroom
Treasures 4 Teachers 1-year membership

The 5 Semi-Finalists

Receive a $1,000 cash award
Receive a scholarship from Argosy University for 25% of the cost of tuition toward an advanced degree
From the Arizona K12 Center, receives complimentary registration at the Eighth Annual Teacher Leadership Institute
Receive a schoolwide ice cream party compliments of Blue Bell Creameries
Receive SMART Technology for the classroom
Participate in the Fiesta Bowl Parade
Treasures 4 Teachers 1-year membership

*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 the ING Foundation and Target in partnership with the University of Phoenix Foundation and People to People Ambassador Programs.