The Arizona Educational Foundation’s AEF Teacher of the Year® program is the only statewide teacher recognition program that spotlights the contributions of Arizona’s public school teachers. The AEF Teacher of the Year® program annually honors ten exceptionally skilled, dedicated public school teachers. The educator ultimately selected as Arizona Teacher of the Year goes on to become our state's candidate for National Teacher of the Year.
Applicants are experts in their field who 1). guide students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence; 2). collaborate alongside colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success; 3). continually focus on connecting the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong community at large; 4). are leaders of innovation in and outside of the classroom; 5). are believers in life-long learning; and 5). are able to express themselves in an engaging and articulate way in writing and in-person.
ELIGIBILITY: 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:
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Spend the majority (over 75%) of their teaching assignment in direct instruction to students.
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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.
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Have completed at least six (6) full years as a fully-certified classroom teacher at the time the application is submitted with the most recent three years in Arizona. Note: Years of student teaching or apprenticeship do not count toward this requirement.
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Be a full-time teacher and plan to continue in an active teaching status through school year 2025-2026.
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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.
NOMINATION PROCESS: Schools, school districts, and individuals may nominate more than one teacher. 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 will be invited to apply.
WHO MAY NOMINATE: 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.
DEADLINE: Complete the form below to nominate an eligible teacher for the 2024 Arizona Teacher of the Year Award. Nominations must be completed online on or before 5:00 p.m., May 14th, 2025.
NEXT STEPS: 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 June 23rd, 2025 deadline.
QUESTIONS: Please email Mark Paulsen at mark@azedfoundation.org.