Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1057445
6 ADVOCATE | WINTER 2018 T he Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) announced the winner of its coveted 2019 AEF™ Arizona Teacher of the Year title on October 25, 2018: Kareem Neal, a self-contained special education teacher at Maryvale High School of Phoenix Union High School District in Phoenix. The announcement was made at the annual Teacher of the Year Awards Luncheon held at The Arizona Biltmore before nearly 600 attendees, including Arizona educators, elected officials and business leaders. The annual Teacher of the Year program, which the Arizona Education Association Foundation for Teaching & Learning is a sponsor, is the premier event of the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF), a statewide nonprofit organization that promotes and awards the exceptional efforts being made in Arizona public schools. Kareem Neal has been teaching students with severe cognitive delays for 21 years. He has a MA in special education and has extensive training in applied behavior analysis and sensory integration techniques. Currently, he teaches the self-contained class at Maryvale High School and serves as Professional Learning Community leader in the district. He has developed the curriculum that the district uses for every subject in the self-contained special education classes. He is also the sponsor of his school's diversity club and the vice-president of the Phoenix Union High School District's Black Alliance. He has been recognized for the National Education Association's Diversity Grant, The Maryvale Revitalization Committee's Educator Excellence Award, and Teacher of the Year at Maryvale High School. "I believe developing meaningful relationships is critical to student success, and encourages a lifelong love of learning. Building relationships is the key to eliminating bias and moving forward in growth," said Neal. As AEF™ Arizona Teacher of the Year, Neal will compete for the title of National Teacher of the Year, have the opportunity to meet the U.S. President, and attend international space camp in Huntsville, Alabama. He will also receive a host of other benefits including a $15,000 cash award, professional speech training, and a full scholarship toward an advanced degree at Argosy University. Additionally, AEF named its four Teacher of the Year finalists, called "Ambassadors for Excellence," who will serve with Neal as spokespersons for their profession, advocating for excellence in the classroom by making presentations statewide to education, civic, government, and professional organizations. Phoenix Union High School District Classroom Teachers Association Member Named 2019 Arizona Teacher of the Year Kareem Neal Phoenix Union High School District Classroom Teachers Association Member The four 2019 Ambassadors for Excellence are: Maria Barker, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at Red Mountain Center for Early Education of Mesa Public Schools, Mesa; Fort Huachuca Education Association member Lee Ann Howell, 7th Grade Science Teacher at Colonel Smith Middle School of Fort Huachuca Accommodation School District, Fort Huachuca; Sheri Loyd, 3rd Grade ELA and Math Teacher at Mountain View School of Dysart Unified School District, Waddell; and Washington District Education Association Jonathan Perrone, 8th Grade STEAM Teacher at Mountain Sky Middle School of Washington Elementary School District, Phoenix. "Mr. Neal and the other teachers honored at today's luncheon are outstanding examples of Arizona's public school educators. I have the utmost respect and admiration for all of our Maria Barker Mesa Public Schools Lee Ann Howell Fort Huachuca Education Association Member Sheri Loyd Dysart Unified School District Jonathan Perrone Washington District Education Association Member teachers and the efforts they make daily to improve the lives of Arizona students." said AEF Executive Director Bobbie O'Boyle. "Today is a celebration of Arizona Teachers." Thanks to its generous sponsors and donors, the Arizona Educational Foundation continues to be able to provide this distinguished award for the 36th consecutive year. The AEF™ Arizona Teacher of the Year program is the only statewide program that spotlights the contributions of Arizona's public school teachers.