Arizona Teacher Of The Year Candidates Named

Five teachers from around the state have been named Ambassadors for Excellence by the Arizona Educational Foundation. One of those will be selected as the state's teacher of the year when their foundational has their annual awards gala in November.

The foundations says that the program is the only one that honors public school teachers in Arizona.

Teachers from around the state submit applications that are reviewed by a panel of judges who narrow the lot to 10 finalists. (For more local news, subscribe to the Phoenix Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts).

Those 10 are asked to prepared a 15-minute video of them teaching.

The judges then look at the videos, interview the teachers, and ask them to make impromptu speeches.

Five are picked as Ambassadors for Excellence and five are named semi-finalists.

All will be honored at the gala.

So, who are the winners?

Here you go:

Ambassadors for Excellence

• Amy Ball, Kindergarten Teacher at Madison Traditional Academy of Madison Elementary School District, Phoenix;
• Allison Davis, Kindergarten Teacher at Knox Gifted Academy of Chandler Unified School District, Chandler;
• Erica Davis, Twelfth Grade English Teacher at Basha High School of Chandler Unified School District, Chandler;
• Josh Meibos, Kindergarten through Sixth Grade Physical Education Teacher at David Crockett Elementary School of Balsz Elementary School District, Phoenix;
• Justean Palmer, Fifth Grade Math Teacher at Canyon Ridge School of Dysart Unified School District, Surprise.

Semi-finalists:

• Brenda Kilmurray, Fifth Grade Teacher at Huachuca Mountain Elementary School of Sierra Vista Unified School District, Sierra Vista;
• Leah Oliver, Ninth through Twelfth Grade Sports Medicine teacher at Mountain View High School of Marana Unified School District, Tucson;
• Janelle Roberts-Perrin, Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade Adaptive Physical Education Teacher at Cactus Shadows High School of Cave Creek Unified School District, Cave Creek;
• Ruth Ruiz, Sixth Grade Spanish Immersion Teacher at Clarendon Elementary School of Osborn Elementary School District, Phoenix;
• Nichole Spencer, Eighth Grade Science and STEM Teacher at Wilson Elementary School of Wilson Elementary School District, Phoenix.

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