Arizona Teacher of the Year Announced by Arizona Educational Foundation
The 2024 Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards were held at the Madison Center for the Arts on Oct. 14, 2023, celebrating Ambassadors for Excellence, Teacher of the Year Semifinalists and Honorable Mentions.
Presenting Sponsor: Desert Financial Credit Union
Event Chair: Christi Warner Beyer
Emcee: Eric Rodriguez of Change Maker LLC
Carolyn Warner Legacy Award: Elizabeth “Liz” Bradshaw, retired gifted education educator
2024 Teacher of the Year: Efrain Casillas, Tolleson Elementary School District
2024 Ambassadors for Excellence: Andrea Barallardos, Douglas Unified School District | Marion Johnson, NBCT, Amphitheater School District | Kathleen Malkhassian, Flagstaff Unified School District | Rebecca Oravec, Sahuarita Unified School District
2024 Teacher of the Year Semifinalists: Caroline Chung-Wipff, Mesa Public Schools | Clare Contreras, Sahuarita School District | Stephanie Likes, Chandler Unified School District | Jessie McKinley, Madison Elementary School District | Bridget Montoya, NBCT, Flowing Wells School District
Notable Moments: Madison Center for the Arts was the venue for this inspiring award ceremony. While all 15 of the nominees exemplified educational excellence and served as inspirational role models to their students, Efrain Casillas was presented with the 2024 Arizona Teacher of the Year award. He is a music teacher at Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary and Desert Oasis Elementary in the Tolleson Elementary School District. Throughout the evening, speakers shared their touching, personal stories through the lens of “Everyone’s story includes a teacher.”
Photos courtesy of Terri Bradford | Jim Cummings, CESO Communications
