Josh Meibos Named 2018 Arizona Teacher of the Year
Josh Meibos, a physical education teacher at Crockett Elementary within the Balsz School District, was named the Arizona Educational Foundation’s 2018 Teacher of the Year at a luncheon on November 7.
As Teacher of the Year, Josh will receive a $15,000 cash prize, a trip to the White House to meet the president and an opportunity to become the National Teacher of the Year.
The recognition also provides a platform for Meibos who hopes to serve as an advocate for teachers.
“I’m in a situation where I feel like I’ve proven myself throughout the years,” he said. “I’ve carved out a seat at the table and have been able to be part of the discussion and got a little bit of some political capital within the district and some organizations that are statewide and nationwide and I don’t want to leave that.”
Meibos has been teaching physical education at Crockett Elementary during his entire seven-year teaching career. He is a member of the Hope Street Teacher Fellowship and recently completed the process for National Board Certification which he’ll receive his results from this month.
“I want to make stuff happen for the teaching profession in Arizona,” said Meibos during his acceptance speech. “We deserve to better than last place in this country. Teaching is a second career for me, but it is my first passion.”
The Arizona Educational Foundation Teacher of the Year program celebrates K-12 public school teachers who are active in their communities and have gained the respect and admiration of their students and their parents as well as co-workers.
