Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1480918
AEA 14 ADVOCATE | FALL 2022 O n August 29, 2022, the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF®) named the 5 finalists under consideration for the 2023 Arizona Teacher of the Year® Award. Desert Financial Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of this year's Teacher of the Year Awards ceremony. Considered the "Oscar Awards" of teaching, the educator ultimately selected as Arizona Teacher of the Year becomes our state's candidate for National Teacher of the Year. ese five finalists, known as "Ambassadors for Excellence," are in the running for Arizona Teacher of the Year, which will be announced during the 2023 Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards ceremony on October 15, 2022. e event will be held at the Madison Center for the Arts in Phoenix, AZ. e prize package for the Arizona Teacher of the Year 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 to meet the U.S. President and a weeklong trip to International Space Camp in Huntsville, AL. ey are also considered for an honorary doctorate from Northern Arizona University. e 2023 Arizona Teacher of the Year and four Ambassadors for Excellence also receive professional speech and media training to aid them in delivering hundreds of presentations during their year of recognition. AEF also has generous partners who provide gis to the top ten teachers including a free membership to Treasures4Teachers, scholarships from the Arizona K12 Center to pursue National Board Certification, the opportunity to ride on the APS fire engine during the Fiesta Bowl Parade, and a "Fiesta Bowl Experience" package including tickets and on-field recognition provided by Fiesta Bowl Charities. In addition to serving as presenting sponsor of the ceremony, Desert Financial Credit Union provides each teacher with an iPad and keyboard case. Five semifinalists were also named and, while no longer in the running for the award, remain part of the "2023 Top Ten Teachers of the Year" and will be honored during the awards ceremony and at various events throughout next year. Four AEA Members Named as Arizona Educational Foundation Names Finalists for 2023 Arizona Teacher of the Year® e five finalists, known as Ambassadors for Excellence, are: AEA Treasurer Amber Gould (English/Student Council) Greenway High School Glendale Union High School District Phoenix Union High School District Classroom Teachers Association member Annie Shanahan (History & Government) Maryvale High School Phoenix Union High School District Ty White (Chemistry) Willcox High School Willcox Unified School District Kyrene Education Association member R Scott Harnisch (Music) Kyrene del Norte Dual Language Academy Kyrene School District Tuba City Education Association President Royd Lee (Navajo Language) Tuba City Elementary Tuba City Unified School District #15