October 21, 2024
On October 19, 2024, the Arizona Education Foundation (AEF) held the 2025 Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards at the Madison Center for the Arts in Phoenix. Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) is proud to celebrate the achievements of our own honorees and the top educators across Arizona who were recognized for their contributions to education.
Mary Lara – 2025 Recipient of the Carolyn Warner Legacy Award: Mary Lara, a retired FUSD teacher, received the prestigious Carolyn Warner Legacy Award, recognizing her lifelong commitment to inspiring students and impacting the Flagstaff community.
Katie Krause – 2025 AEF Arizona Teacher of the Year Semifinalist: Katie Krause, a 4th and 5th grade teacher at Eva Marshall Magnet Elementary School, was named a semifinalist. Her dedication to fostering a love of learning and her commitment to her students earned her this honor as one of Arizona’s standout educators.
Congratulations to the 2025 Arizona Teacher of the Year and the Ambassadors for Excellence. The five finalists, known as Ambassadors for Excellence, represent Arizona’s top educators. They include: Emmett Burnton, Arizona Teacher of the Year Winner, teaches AP World History and U.S. History Dual Enrollment at Boulder Creek High School, Deer Valley Unified School District; Tori Anderson, teaches 10th-11th grade English Language Arts at Carl Hayden High School, Phoenix Union High School District; Jodian Brown, teaches 4th grade Reading, Math, and Science at Desert View Intermediate School, Page Unified School District; Ryan Donovan, teaches AP U.S. History at Boulder Creek High School, Deer Valley Unified School District; and Jennifer Spector, teaches 5th grade English Language Arts and Social Studies at Desert View Elementary School, Washington Elementary School District.
The following educators were celebrated as Arizona Teacher of the Year Semifinalists, each making significant impacts in their classrooms and communities: Katie Krause – Eva Marshall Magnet Elementary School, Flagstaff Unified School District (Semifinalist); Noel Craver – Cottonwood Elementary School, Vail Unified School District (Semifinalist); Jenni Feidler-Aguilar – Gilbert Elementary School, Gilbert Public Schools (Semifinalist); Kayce Kahl – Clarendon Elementary School, Osborn School District 8 (Semifinalist); and Laura Pina – Homer Davis Elementary School, Flowing Wells Unified School District (Semifinalist).
The Honorable Mentions include: Martha Celia Alonso – Douglas High School, Douglas Unified School District #27; Lara Cox – Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary School, Queen Creek Unified School District; Kristy Davis – Madison Camelview Elementary School, Madison Elementary School District; Caitlyn Ferell – Flowing Wells High School, Flowing Wells Unified School District; and Danielle Rutherford – Sahuarita High School, Sahuarita Unified School District
We are incredibly proud of Mary, Katie, and all the great educators whose dedication shines brightly in classrooms across Arizona. Congratulations to these exceptional educators!
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