Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/54552
WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! AEA Member Named 2012 Arizona Teacher of the Year The Arizona Education Association congratu- lates Dysart EA member Kristie Martorelli on being named the 2012 Arizona Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF). Martorelli is a kindergarten-through- 3rd-grade reading interventionist at Thompson Ranch Elementary School. In addition, Flowing Wells EA mem- Kristie Martorelli ber Debbie Young, a 3rd-grade teacher at Richardson Elementary School, was named an Ambassador for Excellence. Martorelli and Young were honored at a luncheon this past fall before more than 500 attendees including Arizona educators, elected officials, and busi- ness leaders. All 10 finalist teachers will march in the Fiesta Bowl Parade alongside the Wells Fargo Stagecoach. The annual Teacher of the Year program is the premier event of AEF, a statewide organiza- tion that promotes and awards the exceptional efforts being made in Arizona's public schools. AEF Executive Director Bobbie O'Boyle Debbie Young stated, "It's more vital than ever to recognize excellence in education and to honor outstand- ing educators who are making a difference. Thanks to the support of our partners, we're able to provide this distinguished award for the 29th consecutive year." As AEF's Teacher of the Year, Martorelli received a host of awards and recognitions including: • $10,000 cash award • $10,000 savings bond • Laptop from Intel Corporation • Chance to compete for the title of National Teacher of the Year • Trip to space camp in Huntsville, Ala. • Meet the President of the United States • Full scholarship toward an advanced degree at Argosy University • Professional speech training AEF's Teacher of the Year and four Ambassadors for Excellence will serve as spokespersons for their profession, advocat- ing for excellence in the classroom by making presentations statewide to education, civic, gov- ernment, and professional organizations. Each Ambassador received a $5,000 cash award, a laptop computer from Intel Corporation, profes- sional speech training, and a scholarship from Argosy University for 50 percent of the cost of tuition towards a master's or doctorate in education. The AEF Teacher of the Year program is the only statewide program that spotlights the con- tributions of Arizona's teachers. To learn more, please visit www.azedfoundation.org. 2 AEA Member Honored by Fulton Homes as "Teacher of the Week" They say those who can, do, those that can't, teach. But, those who know high school teacher Marian Haley dispute this cliché. They say she is not only an amazing educa- tor, but an inspiration to everyone in her community. On January 9, 2012, Fulton Homes 'Teacher of the Week" winner was honored for her generos- ity both inside her Government and Law classroom at Agua Fria High School in Avondale, and overseas. The Agua Fria EA member was nominated by Jed Littrell, a fellow teacher at Agua Fria, who has witnessed her positive outlook on 22 Spring 2012 x AEA Advocate life, and watched her organize events benefitting the community. Agua Fria students say Haley is best known for the valuable advice she gives them. "There is not a single person that has walked by Ms. Haley's classroom without receiving a smile and the advice to 'make good choices'," said Littrell. "Thanks to her, many of our students have taken this to heart and go out in the world, thinking about their decisions thoroughly before making them. That speaks volumes to how much students respect her." 2