COONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is pleased to announce the winner of the 2023 Coconino County Teacher of the Year award is Emily Fisher of Marshall Magnet School.
The winner of the 2023 Coconino County Rookie Teacher of the Year award is Josie Teegardin of Mount Elden Middle School. The recipient of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement award is Brad Houston of Grand Canyon School.
The winners were announced at the 10th Annual Coconino County Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the Doubletree by Hilton.
The Coconino County Teacher of the Year event is a county-wide teacher recognition program that spotlights the contributions of state-accredited teachers in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. This year a total of 19 teachers were nominated for the Teacher of the Year category and 8 rookie teachers were nominated for the Rookie Teacher of the Year category. The Coconino County Teacher of the Year and the Coconino County Rookie Teacher of the Year, and the Ambassadors for Excellence (runners up) are recognized and announced at the awards event. Each of the finalists will receive cash prizes, automatic nomination for the Arizona Teacher of the Year Award and various other prizes. The Coconino County Teacher of the Year also won a one-year leased vehicle from Flagstaff Findlay Toyota. The entire event is made possible through sponsorships from businesses and community members.
Emily Fisher has been a teacher for 13 years at Marshall Elementary School and currently teaches 5th grade. She serves on her school’s Positive Behavior Support committee and is chair of the Science Council. She loves learning and wants to inspire others to love it too.
Josie Teegardin completed her student teaching at Mount Elden Middle School (MEMS) and began teaching full time there in August 2021. At MEMS, Josie has led expeditions for the Alpine program such as river trips, hikes, and rock climbing. She also offers after school tutoring, coaches girls’ soccer and is a referee. Josie leads teachers in training by hosting practicum students into her classroom and speaking to NAU classes about her experiences.
Brad Houston has been teaching at the Grand Canyon for over 17 years. He came to teaching after a career in the high-tech industry and has dozens of ways to link math and science to the real world for his students.
The Coconino County Superintendent of Schools is grateful to our sponsors for helping us to celebrate great educators in our community. Thank you, APS, Arizona Central Credit Union, Aspen Deli, Bearizona, CAVIAT, Coconino Community College, Coconino County Board of Supervisors, Dairy Queen, Desert Financial Credit Union, Doubletree by Hilton, Findlay Toyota, FlagTagAZ, Flagstaff Bone & Joint, Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club, Frederick Fisher Jewelers, Grand Canyon Deer Farm, HomCo, Joy Baking Group, Kinney Construction Services, Lowell Observatory, NARBHA, NAU, Nestle Purina, North Country HealthCare, Northern Arizona Healthcare, Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance, STEM City, Sunrise Lions Club, The Peaks, Toasted Owl Cafe, Twin Arrows Casino Resort, United Pinewood Fire Fighters, United Way Northern Arizona, Warner’s Nursery, Wells Fargo, & West USA Realty.
For more information and pictures of the event, please contact Michelle Despain, program coordinator for the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools office, at 928-679-8070 or email – mdespain@coconino.az.gov.