TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD Arizona Education Foundation

AEF Mission to administer programs that develop and celebrate excellence in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade public education in Arizona through community partnerships.

AEF Goals Administer high quality, well-known and sought- after programs that develop and celebrate excellence in Arizonas students, teachers, schools, and school leaders. Serve as a resource to facilitate sharing of best practices among educators to promote excellence in school leaders. Foster partnerships and raise awareness about AEF and its mission among educators, government offices, the private sector and the public to benefit the educational community.

AEF Programs AEF Programs: A+ School of Excellence Program & A+ Exemplary Programs A+ School of Excellence Program & A+ Exemplary Programs Principals Leadership Academy of Arizona Arizona Spelling Bee UnitED Teacher of the Year

AEF Teacher of the Year Award Nominations Candidates may self-nominate may be nominated by a student, co-worker, administrator, school or district committee, friend or family member must submit a written application Ten finalists are selected from the written applications by a panel of educators, students, and business community members.

Whats Expected of the Finalists? The 10 finalists are asked to prepare a 15-minute DVD teaching in the classroom. The final selection process includes review of the DVD an interview and an impromptu speech by each of the 10 finalists The Teacher of the Year is selected, four Ambassadors for Excellence are selected & five remain semi-finalists. All 10 are honored at the annual awards luncheon. The Teacher of the Year & Ambassadors have multiple opportunities during the year to make public appearances speaking to professional, civic, educational, parent, and student groups. Note: Former Teachers of the Year, Ambassadors and Semi-Finalists are ineligible to reapply for the award.

What Are the Rewards? The AZ Teacher of the Year…… receives a $15,000 cash award becomes Arizonas candidate for National Teacher of the Year* attends Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama meets the President of the United States receives a full scholarship from Argosy University toward an advanced degree receives professional speech training is considered by the Arizona Board of Regents to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Northern Arizona University

What Are the Rewards? The AZ Teacher of the Year….. Continued….. is invited to serve as an adjunct professor for one year at NAU receives a SMART®board from SMART Technologies, ULC receives a $2,500 scholarship toward National Board Certification from the Arizona K12 Center; 3 coaching Saturdays; registration at National Board Summer Institute, Assessment Center and Working Retreat receives a Teacher of the Year ring from Herff Jones attends a sporting event in Wells Fargo Suite at US Airways Arena or the Ballpark receives a school-wide ice cream party compliments of Blue Bell Creameries serves for one year as an advocate for the teaching profession by making public appearances statewide, speaking to professional, business, education, civic, parent and student groups

What are the Rewards? The Four Ambassadors….. Receive a $5,000 cash award Receive professional speech training Receive a scholarship from Argosy University for 50% of the cost of tuition toward an advanced degree receive a $2,500 scholarship toward National Board Certification from the Arizona K12 Center; 3 coaching Saturdays; registration at National Board Summer Institute, Assessment Center and Working Retreat Attend a sporting event in Wells Fargo Suite at US Airways Arena or the Ballpark Receive a school-wide ice cream party compliments of Blue Bell Creameries Serve one year as an advocate for the teaching profession by making public appearances statewide, speaking to professional, business, education, civic, parent and student groups Receive SMART Technology for the classroom Treasures 4 Teachers 1-year membership

What are the Rewards? The Five Semi-Finalists….. Receive a $1,000 cash award Receive a scholarship from Argosy University for 25% of the cost of tuition toward an advanced degree From the Arizona K12 Center, receives complimentary registration at the Eighth Annual Teacher Leadership Institute Receive a school-wide ice cream party compliments of Blue Bell Creameries Receive SMART Technology for the classroom Participate in the Fiesta Bowl Parade Treasures 4 Teachers 1-year membership

AEF Teacher of the Year Awards The National Teacher of the Year program is the oldest and most prestigious honors program to focus public attention on excellence in teaching. It is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers, a nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C. The NTOY program is sponsored by the ING Foundation and Target in partnership with the University of Phoenix Foundation and People to People Ambassador Programs

When Does It Happen? April – Applications become available to schools and teachers statewide May – Mentors assigned June – Meet with candidates for application editing August – Applications are due to Arizona Educational Foundation late September/early October – Finalists are notified; interviews are conducted November – Teacher of the Year is named

AEF Teacher of the Year Requirements If chosen: Serve as Arizonas Teacher of the Year and represent the state at numerous events as a guest speaker Approximately 30 school days out of classroom to attend and speak at various events

Kyrene Support KEA and KCSF wish to support your efforts: Mentorship Editing of application Facilitating Support Group(s) If interested in any or all of the support efforts listed above, please contact Susan Cormier by April 1, 2013.

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