Celebrating Arizona’s Outstanding Educators
NAU’s College of Education joined teachers, school leaders, and education partners from across the state to celebrate teaching excellence and announce the 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year.
Great teachers do far more than deliver daily lessons. They mentor students, build community in their classrooms, and help shape the future of Arizona.
That dedication was on display at the Arizona Educational Foundation’s 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year celebration in Phoenix, where educators, community members, and advocates gathered to recognize outstanding teachers from across the state.
The event named Lisa Scott, an eighth-grade science teacher at Esmond Station K-8 School in the Vail School District, as the 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year. Selected from 155 nominees statewide, Scott will now represent Arizona in the National Teacher of the Year program. (Arizona Educational Foundation)
Educators and supporters gather in Phoenix for the Arizona Educational Foundation’s 2027 Teacher of the Year celebration.
Supporting Arizona’s educators
For NAU’s College of Education, supporting and recognizing exceptional teachers goes hand in hand with our core mission.
COE Dean Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino and Associate Dean Shadow Armfield attended alongside Michael McCarthy and colleagues from the Arizona K12 Center and the Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy (AIEE). Their presence reflects NAU’s ongoing collaboration with school districts and community partners to support public education across the state.
That commitment ranges from preparing new teachers in the classroom to providing continuous professional growth, building community partnerships, and addressing critical challenges facing local schools.
The Arizona K12 Center provides ongoing professional development for educators and awards National Board Certification scholarships to Teacher of the Year honorees. (Arizona Educational Foundation) Meanwhile, AIEE connects partners across PreK–12, higher education, nonprofits, industry, and government to create practical solutions for Arizona students and schools. (NAU In-Site Network)
NAU representatives and education partners at the 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year celebration.
Honoring excellence across Arizona
Scott was among 15 Arizona teachers recognized in this year’s program. The five finalists—designated as AEF Ambassadors for Excellence—included Carly Bacha, Emily Godlove, Michael Haslanger, Lauren Lundeberg, and Lisa Scott. (Arizona Educational Foundation)
These teachers represent diverse communities across Arizona and share a deep commitment to student success.
Northern Arizona was also directly represented among the semifinalists: Joy Bruner of DeMiguel Elementary School in Flagstaff Unified School District was named one of the top 15 educators statewide. (Arizona Educational Foundation)
Organized by the Arizona Educational Foundation, the Teacher of the Year program is the state’s highest honor for public school educators. Over the next year, Scott will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession, participating in state and national leadership opportunities. (Arizona Educational Foundation)
Celebrating the profession—and looking ahead
Honoring great teachers is about more than individual awards. It highlights the skill, energy, and leadership educators bring to their classrooms every day.
For NAU, it also underlines the value of strong statewide partnerships. Preparing new teachers is just step one. Continuing to support educators, collaborate with school leaders, and lift up teacher voices are just as vital to strengthening our schools.
Congratulations to Lisa Scott, the 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year, the 15 honorees, and teachers across Arizona who show up for students every day.
Meet the 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year honorees