The teacher awards are a great way to reward both early career and experienced teachers!
When we open nominations for 2024, we would love to receive your teacher recommendations! If you would like to nominate a teacher for an award, ensure they meet the nomination criteria before submitting their information. The criteria and submission form will be provided when nominations are opened.
We honor our award winners from previous years here on this page, check out these amazing teachers below!
2023 Winners
Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Early Career Teachers Award Winner
Kaela DeArmond
Congratulations to our Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Early Career award winner, Kaela DeArmond with Arredondo Elementary Tempe ESD!
Teaching is not just a career, but it is also an art and a calling. Some teachers, early in their career, stand out as innovators, encouragers, and leaders. We wish to recognize those teachers new to teaching (1st 5 years) that are regularly taking risks, trying new ideas, learning from them, and eventually seeing success, as well as encouraging their colleagues to try new ideas and join them in these efforts.
“Kaela’s enthusiasm and willingness to take risks and share her learning is what truly encourages her colleagues to do the same.” “She collaborates with her colleagues as well as school and District Math coaches. She is also willing to learn right along with the students. In her classroom, mistakes really are learning opportunities for everyone.”
Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Mid-Career & Veteran Teachers Award Winner
Lisa Johnson
Congratulations to our Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Mid-Career & Veteran Teachers award winner, Lisa Johnson from Coyote Trails Elementary Marana USD!
Teachers are leaders from the classroom! Mid-career and Veteran teachers try new ideas and bring others along as they take risks and learn from those risks. They allow their classrooms to be fertile testing grounds for innovation, and their team meetings or interactions with other teachers can be a platform for encouraging others to join them in efforts to innovate. We wish to recognize these creative teachers.
“She is a leader that encourages others as easily as she shares and receives feedback on her own teaching skills. She serves on a leadership team ensuring that quality instruction is taking place in all of our classrooms.”
Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Early Career Runners-Up
Carly Mahan, Blenman Elementary TUSD
Lyndi Ramos, Ronald Reagan Elementary TESD
Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Mid-Career & Veteran Runners-Up
Adam Scafede, Dove Mountain CSTEM MUSD
Deirdre Calhoun, Myers-Ganoung Elementary TUSD1
2022 Winners
Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Early Career Teachers Award Winner
Delia Sotelo O'Campo
Congratulations to our Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Early Career award winner, Delia Sotelo O'Campo! “Ms. Sotelo looks for new and different ways to teach concepts, to capture all her students' learning styles. She differentiates her lessons and provides intervention support as needed…she truly is an innovator, encourager, and leader here at Mission View Elementary.” –Sandra Calkins, Administrator
Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Mid-Career & Veteran Teachers Award Winner
Mabel Rivera
Congratulations to our Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Mid-Career & Veteran Teachers award winner, Mabel Rivera! “Mabel Rivera is beyond exceptional in every way. Most notably, she embodies what it truly means to have students engage in meaningful, relevant, projected-based, integrated learning…She truly deserves this recognition as a role model for others and in recognition of the tremendous amount of time, effort, and passion she puts into her work.” –DaNel Hogan, Mentor.
Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Early Career Runners-Up
Allison Ryal-Bagley, Liberty ESD
Elliot Beck, Sunnyside USD
Qiong Joanna Williams, Vail SD
Vanessa Lopeaux, Sunnyside USD
Excellence & Resiliency in Mathematics Teaching: Mid-Career & Veteran Runners-Up
Denise Murphy, Liberty ESD
Kelli Barton, Liberty ESD
Kerri Zitar, Chandler USD