COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget, proudly congratulates the exceptional educators selected as finalists for the prestigious Coconino County Teacher of the Year and Coconino County Rookie Teacher of the Year awards.
The winners will be unveiled at the highly anticipated 12th Annual Coconino County Teacher of the Year Awards on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff.
2025 Finalists
Teacher of the Year Finalists:
- Joy Burner, DeMiguel Elementary School
- Dawn Quamahongnewa, Leupp Elementary School
- Francy Solarte Soto, Coconino High School
Rookie Teacher of the Year Finalists:
- Lesley Littlefield, Knoles Elementary School
- Kristi Marshall, Thomas Elementary School
- Ella Stoll, Coconino High School
The Coconino County Teacher of the Year event is a county-wide celebration recognizing the dedication, innovation, and excellence of state-accredited Pre-K through 12th-grade educators. This year, 24 outstanding teachers were nominated for Teacher of the Year, while five inspiring educators were nominated for Rookie Teacher of the Year.
At the awards ceremony, the Coconino County Teacher of the Year, Coconino County Rookie Teacher of the Year, and the Ambassadors for Excellence (runners-up) will be acknowledged. Each finalist will be awarded cash prizes, automatic nomination for the Arizona Teacher of the Year Award, and various other accolades. The Coconino County Teacher of the Year will also be presented with a one-year leased vehicle, generously provided by Flagstaff Findlay Toyota. Additionally, the event will feature the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor bestowed by the Superintendent of Schools as a surprise announcement during the ceremony. Lifetime Achievement recipients will be recognized for their profound contributions to education
Sponsors & Community Support
This extraordinary event is made possible through the generous support of local businesses and community members. Special thanks to our Lead Recognition Sponsor and Teacher of the Year Sponsor, Findlay Toyota Flagstaff, our Rookie Teacher of the Year Sponsor, APS, and our Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsor, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors. We also extend our gratitude to our Honor Society-level sponsors, including NARBHA, Stone Canyon Media, Coconino Community College, NAU College of Education, and CAVIAT. A full list of sponsors is available at https://coconino.az.gov/3154/Coconino-County-Teacher-of-the-Year.
For more details, please contact Stacy Fobar, Program Coordinator, at sfobar@coconino.az.govor 928-679-8070.