Five Northern Arizona University alumni are among the state\u2019s 11 educators who earned the title of Exemplary Teacher by the Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona.<\/p>\n
The Rodel Exemplary Teacher Initiative recognizes teachers in high-need schools in Coconino, Maricopa and Pima counties. This year the foundation selected 22 finalists around the state, with 11 winners chosen to receive $5,000 and serve as mentors for Rodel Promising Student Teachers for the next three years.<\/p>\n
For recipient Christopher Hull<\/b>, the award brings his teaching journey full circle as he has gone from protege to mentor. Hull, a two-time NAU alum, participated in the Rodel student teacher program in 2009 under Rodel Exemplary Teacher Kamalene Nelson of Thomas Elementary School. Six years later Hull enjoys sharing his love of science with seventh and eighth graders at Mount Elden Middle School and continues to provide support for future teachers through NAUTeach<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very proud to have these NAU graduates recognized as exemplary\u00a0educators,\u201d said Michael Sampson<\/b>, dean of NAU\u2019s College of Education.<\/p>\n Sampson said the university\u2019s partnership with Rodel is a key to the success of Arizona teachers, citing the Rodel Promising Student Teacher program.\u00a0Thus far, the 145 exemplary teachers selected through the program have mentored more than 500 teachers, including Hull, throughout the state.<\/p>\n Listed below are the Rodel Exemplary Teachers for 2014, degree earned from NAU, grade taught and city in which they work:<\/p>\n Chistopher Hull<\/b><\/a>, <\/b>bachelor\u2019s in liberal arts and master\u2019s in education, seventh and eighth grade, Flagstaff Additional finalist teachers are:<\/p>\n Maria Antonieta Aguirre-Acedo<\/b><\/a>, bachelor\u2019s in elementary education and master\u2019s in bilingual and multicultural education, sixth grade, Chandler See the full list of recipients\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nJennifer Lauzon<\/b>,<\/b><\/a> <\/b>master\u2019s in elementary education, K-6 resource, Phoenix
\nMonique Peralta<\/b><\/a>, <\/b>master\u2019s in bilingual and multicultural education, fourth grade, Tucson
\nTasha Smith<\/b><\/a>,<\/b> master\u2019s in elementary education, fourth grade, Phoenix
\nVeronica Villegas<\/b><\/a>, <\/b>bachelor\u2019s in hotel restaurant and management, sixth grade, Flagstaff<\/p>\n
\nValerie Kuck<\/b><\/a>, master\u2019s in elementary education, K-6 resource, Phoenix
\nJillian Worssam<\/b><\/a>, master\u2019s in bilingual and multicultural education, eighth grade, Flagstaff<\/p>\n