Teacher of the Year
The Teacher of the Year (TOY) program, with the support of the CFSD Foundation, highlights and celebrates the contributions of Catalina Foothills teachers. The program annually recognizes two exceptionally skilled and dedicated teachers from a group of 5 finalists. Nominees are those who have gained the respect and admiration of students, parents and co-workers, and who inspire learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. They play an active and useful role in their communities as well as in their schools, distinguishing themselves as leaders.
Congratulations to our
2024–25 Teachers of the Year!

2024–25 Teacher of the Year
Kelsey Cordero
Math, Orange Grove Middle School

2024–25 Teacher of the year
Anita McGuire
Special Education, Esperero Middle School
2024-2025 Distinguished Educators

Ana Barron
Special Education
Sunrise Drive Elementary School

Kelly Sandeen
English Language Arts
Orange Grove Middle School

Dr. Jason Sah
Orchestra
Orange Grove Middle School

Teacher of the Year
Awards Celebration
Join us to celebrate these incredible educators.
Sunday, April 27th
2–4 PM
Hacienda del Sol

Sponsor the Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration
Main Event Sponsor – $5,000
Exclusive – Only 1 Available
- Premier recognition as the Presenting Sponsor of the Teacher of the Year Awards
- Logo featured prominently on all event signage and promotional materials
- Opportunity to speak at the event and welcome guests
- Featured recognition on social media and ParentSquare
- Exclusive sponsor spotlight on social media
- 8 VIP seats at the event
Teacher of the Year Awards Sponsor – $2,500
Only 2 Available
- Recognition as an Award Sponsor, with your name/logo associated with a Teacher of the Year category
- Opportunity to introduce the Teacher of the Year recipient
- Logo placement on event signage and promotional materials
- Recognition on social media and ParentSquare
- 6 VIP seats at the event
Distinguished Educators Sponsor – $500
- Recognition as a Distinguished Educators Sponsor, supporting the $500 award for one of the Distinguished Educators
- Name/logo featured on event signage
- Recognition on social media and ParentSquare
- 2 reserved seats at the event
Community Sponsor – $100
- Name listed on event signage
- Recognition on social media and ParentSquare
About Teacher of the Year
Teachers may be nominated by students, parents, co-workers, and/or administrators, or may self-nominate. To be eligible, nominees must be AZ certified teachers in at least their 5th year of teaching, currently teaching pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 in the Catalina Foothills School District, spend the majority of their day in direct instruction of students, and be in good standing with their school principal and CFSD administration.
After the nomination period has closed, a list of nominees will be given to principals at each site to determine eligibility. Eligible teachers are then notified that they have been nominated and given the opportunity to apply to become CFSD Teacher of the Year (only teachers who complete the application process will be considered). Applications will be blind-scored on a rubric by a committee consisting of parents from CFSD. Five finalists will be scheduled for an interview as part of the final selection. The interview team (consisting of community members, CFSD alumni and the previous year winners) will make the final selection. Two Teachers of the Year will be selected, and the remaining three finalists are designated as Distinguished Educators. The Teachers of the Year and the three Distinguished Educators will be honored at their school sites and at the CFSD Foundation’s Teacher of the Year Celebration.

Previous Honorees
2023-2024
Kylie Baker
Casey Virgil
2022–2023
Jennifer Lansey
Suzette Rosenblatt
2021–2022
Miriam Frieden
Amber Robles
2020–2021
Meghan Gulley
Jason Reinhardt
2019–2020
Julie Michel
Kathleen Cusack
2018–2019
Xi (Lucy) Lin
Patricia Moore
2017–2018
Kirsten Fulgham
Nicole Prickett
2017–2016
Kathleen Bowman
Megan Kirts
2015–2016
Charlotte Ackerman
Jennifer Dooley
2014–2015
Julia Higgins
Cory Walavich
2013–2014
Brian Bindschadler
Alyssa Keri
2012–2013
Collin Flynn
Ed Moody
2011–2012
Kris Green
Lindy Bowden
2010–2011
Elizabeth Pagels
Pat Burrows
2009–2010
Susie Speelman
Joe Day
2008–2009
Renee Shane-Boyd
Caryl Jones