We recently received news from the Arizona Educational Foundation that TWO Vail teachers made it to the Top 10 for Arizona Teacher of the Year earning the right to be candidates for Arizona’s 2026 Teacher of the Year!
A MASSIVE congratulations goes out to Rachelle Port, music and drama teacher at Mesquite Elementary School, and Cristina Parks, CTE Early Childhood Education teacher at Cienega High School! This is a tremendous undertaking and accomplishment including being nominated and completing a rigorous application! 215 teachers were nominated for this prestigious award across the state!
Both Mrs. Parks and Mrs. Port now move on to the interview round where they will take a video of themselves teaching up to Phoenix for their interview by the Teacher of the Year selection committee. While there, they will also give an impromptu speech. They will both be celebrated at the Arizona Teacher of the Year Awards on October 18, 2025 at which time the 2026 Teacher of the Year winner will be announced.
Read AEF’s press release of the announcement to learn more about the recognition and see who else made top 10 across the state.
Not ONE But TWO Vail Teachers Earn TOP 10 Spots for Arizona Teacher of the Year!
August 1, 2025