Press Releases

Arizona Educational Foundation Establishes Arizona Education Hall of Fame to Honor Legacy, Leadership, and Lifelong Impact

May 13, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  Media Contact: Becky Antioco

May 13, 2026                                                                           `     becky@uriascommunications.com

PHOENIX, Ariz.— The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) today announced the establishment of the Arizona Education Hall of Fame, a new statewide recognition honoring individuals whose vision, leadership, and dedication have shaped—and continue to shape—public education in Arizona.

Rooted in AEF’s mission to celebrate excellence and cultivate opportunity, the Arizona Education Hall of Fame will recognize educators, administrators, advocates, and community leaders whose contributions have left a lasting imprint on students, schools, and communities statewide. From classroom teachers who inspired generations to leaders who advanced innovation and access, the Hall of Fame will serve as a permanent tribute to those who have elevated public education in Arizona.

The inaugural class of inductees will be honored at AEF’s Back to School Breakfast, presented by Desert Financial Credit Union, on August 7, 2026, at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix—bringing together educators, business leaders, and community champions to celebrate Arizona’s public schools.

“The story of public education in Arizona has been written by extraordinary individuals who believed deeply in the power of learning to change lives,” said Kim Graham, CEO of the Arizona Educational Foundation. “AEF was founded by legendary Arizonans Carolyn Warner, Eddie Basha, and Bill Shover, who believed in the power of public education to transform lives. The Arizona Education Hall of Fame ensures those stories are never lost. It’s about honoring the shoulders we stand on—and inspiring the next generation of educators and leaders to carry that legacy forward.”

The Hall of Fame will feature both lifetime achievement honorees and contemporary leaders, reflecting the breadth of impact across decades of service. In addition to recognition, the Hall of Fame aims to preserve Arizona’s public education legacy, inspire future generations of educators, and strengthen public understanding of education’s statewide impact.

The inaugural inductees into the Arizona Education Hall of Fame are:

Community Champion Inductees

Individual Inductees

As Arizona’s premier statewide education foundation, AEF has spent more than four decades shining a light on what is working in public schools through programs such as the Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards, A+ School of Excellence, and the Principals Leadership Academy of Arizona. The Arizona Education Hall of Fame builds on that legacy, expanding AEF’s role as both a champion of today’s educators and a steward of Arizona’s educational history.

About AEF

Since 1983, the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) has been at the frontlines of Arizona’s PreK–12 public education system celebrating excellence and addressing persistent challenges facing schools, educators, and students. Founded by former Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Warner, AEF is the state’s only education foundation charged with elevating Arizona education by showcasing schools and educators that exemplify best practices and to confront issues facing schools and educators. As such, our 11 statewide initiatives serve as beneficial interventions that help increase academic opportunities for schools, build leadership pipelines, support teacher retention, and expand opportunities for students and districts who too often go without. Public education is the heart of a community, and AEF remains focused on ensuring every student, in every community, has access to the resources, educators, and opportunities required to succeed. For more information visit www.azedfoundation.org or email info@azedfoundation.org.