K-5th Grade SPED Teacher Named 2026 Arizona Teacher of the Year
Share
PHOENIX, Ariz., October 18, 2025 — Today, the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) announced Tiffani Jaseph from Copper View Elementary School in the Sahuarita Unified School District as the 2026 Arizona Teacher of the Year. Jaseph now becomes Arizona’s official candidate for National Teacher of the Year Award.
Jaseph is a dedicated special education professional who has been a teacher for 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and a Master of Arts in special education, both from the University of Arizona. Driven by her deep passion for children, Jaseph began her career in general education. However, she quickly discovered her true calling in special education.
Jaseph has taught in three Arizona school districts. In the Sunnyside Unified School District, she taught in an extended-day special education program for 4th and 5th graders, providing specially designed instruction in her classroom while also supporting students’ needs in the general education environment. In Yuma, Arizona, she taught in a special education resource setting, facilitating intervention groups for students from K-6th grade. Currently, Jaseph teaches at Copper View Elementary School in Sahuarita, Arizona, where she focuses on accommodating students with higher support needs. She is committed to including her students in the general education environment whenever possible, while also ensuring her classroom is accessible for both academic and social-emotional needs. Her classroom emphasizes inclusive, strengths-based instruction tailored to diverse learning styles. At Copper View, Jaseph has earned the honor of being named site Teacher of the Year and has also been a finalist for District Teacher of the Year.
The Arizona Teacher of the Year Award is the highest state-level recognition for public-school educators. The program has been coordinated by AEF for the past 42 years, with AEF serving as the State Coordinator of the National Teacher of the Year program. Jaseph will join other state Teachers of the Year from across the country in a year of professional learning and
once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like visiting the Oval Office, training at Google Headquarters in California, and learning to be an astronaut at International Space Camp.
Jaseph was one of 15 educators honored by AEF this year as part of the Teacher of the Year program. Five quarterfinalists and five semifinalists were identified in August, with the five finalists, known as “AEF Ambassadors for Excellence” taking the stage at the awards ceremony on October 18 to find out live who won. Desert Financial has served as the presenting sponsor of the Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards for the past six years, and Jeremy Nelson, SVP Chief Marketing Officer, presented the award to Jaseph.
“All of our Teacher of the Year nominees exemplify the best that Arizona has to offer in terms of educational excellence, being a role model, and inspiring students in their community,” said Kim Graham, AEF’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are so proud of each and every one of them. AEF congratulates Tiffani on being named Arizona Teacher of the Year and looks forward to her representing us in Washington, D.C., as Arizona’s 2026 National Teacher of the Year candidate.”
The grand prize package for the Arizona Teacher of the Year winner includes $15,000 from the Arizona Educational Foundation and travel paid to attend several National Teacher of the Year events including a trip to the White House and a weeklong trip to International Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. They are also considered for an honorary doctorate from Northern Arizona University and are honored by the Arizona Diamondbacks by throwing out the “first pitch” at a home game.
Each of the Top 10 candidates receive the following from AEF’s generous partners: an iPad and case from Desert Financial Credit Union; complimentary access to SRSD Online Partners professional development course for self-regulated strategy development writing instruction, Writing to Learn™, along with expert mentorship and live Zoom support; scholarships from the Arizona K12 Center to pursue National Board Certification; on-field recognition during the Fiesta Bowl from Fiesta Sports Foundation; the opportunity to ride on the APS fire engine during the Fiesta Bowl Parade; and professional speech and media training to help deliver presentations during their year of recognition. Desert Financial will also honor the Top Five Finalists with a complimentary Estate Planning Package (valued at $1,700).
ACCESS PHOTOS and TEACHER OF THE YEAR MEDIA & PRESS KIT
About Desert Financial Credit Union
Celebrating 86 years in Arizona, Desert Financial is the state’s most trusted local credit union with over $8 billion in assets, more than 400,000 members, and more than 50 branches. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Desert Financial takes pride in sharing success. In 2025, members received $16 million in dividends via the Member Giveback Bonus. Desert Financial is the official retail banking partner of Arizona State University®. Federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at desertfinancial.com.
About Arizona Educational Foundation (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 the urgent and 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 confronting systemic issues such as teacher shortages, low student achievement, and inequities across communities. As such, AEF’s 11 statewide initiatives serve as critical interventions that help stabilize schools, build leadership pipelines, train teachers, 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.