Nomination submissions are open for the Arizona Educational Foundation’s AEF Teacher of the Year program.

The only statewide teacher recognition program that spotlights the contributions of Arizona’s public school teachers annually honors 10 skilled, dedicated public school teachers.

Any full-time certified teacher working in Arizona at a state-accredited public school or school operating under the Bureau of Indian Education is eligible for nomination. Additionally, nominees must:

• Spend the majority (over 50%) of their teaching assignment in direct instruction to students.
• Teach any grade pre-K-12th (or combination) in Arizona. Teachers may work in any content area, including special education, P.E., the arts, etc.
• Have completed at least six full years as a classroom teacher at the time the application is submitted with the most recent three years in Arizona. Note: Years of student teaching do not count toward this requirement.
• Be a full-time teacher and plan to continue in an active teaching status through school year 2022-2023.
• Not have been selected as an AEF Teacher of the Year, semifinalist or Ambassador for Excellence in the past.
• Be available to fulfill ambassadorial duties during the year of service and be supported by their employer.

 Schools, school districts, and individuals may nominate more than one teacher. Note that submitting multiple nominations for the same teacher does not give them an advantage. Any teacher with any number of nominations who meets the eligibility requirements is invited to apply.

Teachers may be nominated by colleagues, administrators, parents, students, or may self-nominate. The identity of those nominating is kept strictly confidential unless permission is given on the nomination form.

Nominations must be completed online on or before 5 p.m. Friday, April 29.

Complete the form here to nominate an eligible teacher for the 2022 Arizona Teacher of the Year Award.

Once a nomination is received, AEF notifies the teacher and sends them a link to the online application. To be considered for the Teacher of the Year Award, the application must be completed and submitted by the teacher on or before the Friday, June 17 deadline.

Call or email Kim Graham at 480-421-9376 or kim@azedfoundation.org.