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| NASPE Southwest District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year |
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2007-2008
The National Association for Sports & Physical Education (NASPE) Southwest District Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award is given in recognition of outstanding teaching performance at the middle school level and the ability to motivate today’s youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity. |
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Gabe Romero
Wilson K-8 School
NASPE Southwest District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
2007-2008 |
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Gabe Romero
Gabe Romero is a Physical Education Teacher at Wilson K-8 School who is always seeking innovative ways to inspire a greater interest in physical fitness amongst his students. Mr. Romero has been a Wilson Wrangler since its conception 12 years ago who, in addition to teaching, continues to coach cross-country, soccer and volleyball. Mr. Romero believes that the great amount of support from his constituents helps him to explore new concepts. “I feel very blessed and honored to have won both AzAHPERD and AAHPERD Southwest District Middle School Teacher of the Year awards; but I wasn’t alone. Throughout my teaching career, I have been very fortunate to work alongside some amazing teachers, students, parents, administrators, and staff. Along with my family’s support, I’m encouraged to take a risk and try new things that will benefit my classes.” |
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| Arizona Athletics/Circle K |
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2006-2007
The Circle K and Arizona Athletics Award recognizes outstanding high school faculty throughout southern Arizona who excel in the teaching profession and provide opportunities for students to grow and develop. Nine teachers were honored for what they do to prepare young people for the future. |
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Beth Malapanes
Canyon del Oro High School
Arizona Athletics/Circle K Winner
Outstanding High School Faculty Award
2006-2007 |
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Beth Malapanes
Beth Malapanes is a librarian at Canyon del Oro High School who is actively involved in working with staff and students on information literacy and technology. She is grateful to Dr. Gemma (CDO Principal) and the staff for their support of the library program. Ms. Malapanes recognizes the learning opportunities that interactions with students provide her. Since 2001, book circulations have increased 57% and she thinks this is directly related to the welcoming environment and excellent customer service that the library provides. Ms. Malapanes says: “Getting this award has been beyond anything I ever imagined. It is wonderful to be recognized for doing something you love doing, but it’s been even more satisfying for me because I was told by many people that I would probably never find a job as a librarian. A great thing this award has done is it has given a spotlight to the field of librarianship and recognition that as certified teachers, we have an impact on student learning. That is what I love about it.” |
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Patti Schmalzel
Canyon del Oro High School
Arizona Athletics/Circle K Winner
Outstanding High School Faculty Award
2005-2006 |
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Patti Schmalzel
Patti Schmalzel is a Family and Consumer sciences teacher at Canyon del Oro High School. She has taught Culinary Arts in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department since 1978. Over the years, Ms. Schmalzel has developed and implemented courses in Human Relations, Clothing and Textiles, and Food and Fitness. She is the Advisor for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club and the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) at CDO. She currently serves as the CTE Department Chair and the CDO Site Coordinator for Tech Prep in Pima County. In 2006, Ms. Schmalzel received a Japanese Fulbright Memorial Fund Award and traveled to Japan to study their education system. She enjoys working with young adults and says, “We have a wonderful time learning valuable skills they can use for the rest of their lives.” |
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| The Rodel Foundation’s Exemplary Teacher Award recognizes teachers for outstanding student achievement and exemplary instruction skills. These teachers become mentors for promising student teachers to prepare them for outstanding teaching careers. |
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Kim McDole
Keeling Elementary School
Rodel Foundation
Exemplary Teacher Award Winner
2006-2007 |
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Kim McDole
Kim McDole is a kindergarten teacher at Keeling Elementary School. She has a passion for education and credits her mother (who was also an educator) for instilling a love of children in her. She became a teacher because she truly wanted to make a difference in the lives of children. She believes that all students can learn, regardless of socio-economic status, as long as expectations are high and children feel safe and happy. Ms. McDole says, “An anonymous author wrote ‘there are many things that will catch yours eyes, but only a few catch your heart.’ Being selected for this award is more than I ever imagined. It is an honor to be part of an organization that recognizes teachers at a low-income school. As I mentor to University of Arizona education seniors for the next three years, I hope to instill in them a love for children. I look forward to not only mentoring these student teachers, but also learning from them as well.” |
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Margie Hervert
Rio Vista Elementary School
Rodel Foundation
Exemplary Teacher Award Winner
2006-2007 |
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Margie Hervert
Margie Hervert is a third grade teacher at Rio Vista Elementary School. She has made a personal commitment to her students to teach not only academics but also life skills. She wants her students to have the necessary resources to overcome obstacles in their lives. Ms. Hervert is passionate about providing her students the tools “to level the playing field” in our society of haves and have-nots. She is especially proud that this commitment falls in line with the initiative of the Rodel Foundation which targets achievement in Arizona’s most needy schools. Ms. Hervert says, “The Rodel journey has been a great adventure! I am looking forward to mentoring the dedicated student teachers who also share my commitment. My heart has been touched by the recognition of my family, friends and colleagues. As a teacher, you only hope to make an impact and this acknowledgement means the world to me!” |
O.M. Harstell Excellence in Teaching Music Award
from Arizona Music Educators Association |
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| The O. M. Harstell Excellence in Teaching Music Award is named for the 1963-1995 Arizona Music Educators Association president. This award is given to those members of the Association who have demonstrated exceptional ability in teaching music. |
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Mark Hodge
Ironwood Ridge High School
O.M. Harstell Excellence in Teaching Music Award Winner
2005-2006 |
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Mark Hodge
Mark Hodge is the band/orchestra director, as well as the Fine Arts Department Chairperson, at Ironwood Ridge High School. He has been the school’s only band teacher since it opened in 2001. A parent with a student in his program wrote, “He has the capacity to recognize individual talents and personalities and, at the same time, to celebrate the collaborative efforts of the band.” He has brought maturity to the music program at Ironwood Ridge in its short history. Mr. Hodge says, “Students have an innate desire to be a part of a community, wanting to be involved in something greater than themselves. And I believe that I serve my students best by meeting their needs – not wants. I feel my leadership goes beyond the classroom. In my 13 years as an educator, I have witnessed crises, hurt, humor, and healing among my students.” |
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The Siemens Award
The Siemens Foundation recognizes teachers and their students for excellence in science, math, and technology through scholarships and awards. The Siemens teacher award recognizes teachers who are committed to their students and involved in advanced placement programs.
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Chris Yetman
Canyon del Oro High School
The Siemens Award
2006-2007 |
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Chris Yetman
Chris Yetman is an Amphi District alumni, having attending Keeling Elementary, Amphi Middle School, and Amphi High. He earned his degree in English Literature and Mathematics at Carleton College in Minnesota and received his teaching certificate from the University of Arizona. Mr. Yetman has been teaching at Canyon del Oro High School for 19 years and currently teaches Advanced Placement Calculus and Math Problem Solving; he also coaches the Academic Decathlon team. He says, “I get to work with some of the most amazing young people in my Advanced Placement classes, and facilitating their understanding of math is the true joy of my life. Receiving the Siemens award, although an honor, was really just the frosting on the cake.” |
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Arizona Educational Teacher of the Year |
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2006-2007 Ambassadors
The Arizona Educational Foundation’s Teacher of the Year recognizes exceptionally skilled and dedicated public school teachers. The Teacher of the Year and four Ambassadors serve for one year, making public appearances and advocating for the teaching profession. |
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Mamie Spillane
Prince Elementary School
Arizona Educational Teacher of the Year
Ambassador
2006-2007 |
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Mamie Spillane
Mamie Spillane has a Masters in Bilingual Multicultural Education from Northern Arizona University and has been teaching for nine years. She spent two years in Guatemala City, one year in Phoenix, one year on the Navajo Reservation, and has been at Prince Elementary for five years. She is now an intervention teacher for 40 refugees from Somalia, Sudan, and Liberia, teaching everything from American cultural norms and English to the basic of reading, writing, and math. Ms. Spillane says, “Being an Ambassador of Excellence gives me a voice to ask teachers to embrace the children in their classrooms from other cultures, despite the challenges they often bring.” |
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Laurie Burrell
Wilson K-8 School
Arizona Educational Teacher of the Year
Ambassador
2006-2007 |
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Laurie Burrell
Laurie Burrell is a 5th grade teacher and science facilitator at Wilson K-8. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and began a career in the medical field at an Air Force hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany. She returned to the States and earned her Masters of Education degree to begin her second career. Her mentor was a physics professor who realized that children are born curious but lose that instinct as the years pass. He convinced her that her ability to nurture children’s innate sense of curiosity could encourage them to pursue careers in math, science, and technology. She says, “With my after-school science club reaching over 600 kids, being a Science Facilitator, and now Ambassador of Excellence, I spread my passion for hands-on science instruction and impact future scientists all over the state of Arizona.” |
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