Kristina Frame has been teaching for six years. This is her second year at Fireside Elementary. Frame was a kitchen professional and also worked in media and communications before switching to teaching.

“When my kids both entered grade school I knew I wanted to accompany them on their... Read more

Leah Moran is the Dean of Students at Arrowhead Elementary. Last year she worked as the gifted specialist. Moran says she is very excited about her new role. It will keep her “still very much in the classroom” and she looks forward to being “an instructional leader on campus,” she explains.... Read more

Congratulations to the Valley teachers recognized during the 2024–25 school year. We appreciate all that you do for the kids in Arizona!

Thank you to all the students, parents and others who nominated an outstanding teacher. Send in a nomination today and your teacher could be... Read more

Top Photo: Roberts gets into character for Fan Fusion

Sara Roberts is a special needs preschool teacher at Washington Elementary. She has been teaching for 14 years, 10 of those at Washington.... Read more

Top Photo: Malloy with her husband, Rafael, and daughter, Azaylea

Natalie Malloy teaches fourth grade at Horizon Elementary. This is her fifth year teaching at Horizon and her third year in a fourth... Read more

Mei Asad teaches third grade at Weinberg Gifted Academy. She has been teaching for over two decades and has been in the Chandler District for eight years.

Asad has taught at other schools and even in other countries, but she calls WGA “my very favorite school.” She is proud to have helped... Read more

Top Photo: Galloway monkeying around in Peru

Florence Galloway teaches third grade at Falcon Hill Elementary. She taught fifth grade last year and she previously worked at a preschool.

“I’ve... Read more

Laura McGrath is a resource teacher at Rose Lane Elementary. This is her first year as a resource teacher, but she has been teaching for well over a decade. McGrath has taught K–4th grades and she also previously taught a specialized inclusive class.

As a resource teacher, McGrath works... Read more

Mark Winans is the band director at Mountainside Middle School. He also teaches band at Anasazi Elementary and Laguna Elementary. This is Winans’ 38th year of teaching, and his 28th year teaching in Scottsdale Unified.

Winans is an Arizona native who grew up in Yuma and Casa Grande. He... Read more

Sophia Youngman teaches kindergarten at Loma Linda Elementary. She has been there four years.

Youngman is a native of the Lone Star State. She was born in Carrollton, Texas. Her mom grew up in Arizona, and Youngman moved to the Valley to be close to family, she says.

When she was a... Read more