State Partners

Arizona

Arizona joined the Milken Educator Awards program in 1998

46 recipients since program began in Arizona

$1,150,000 awarded in Arizona since program began

Mr. Tom Horne
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Will Ambos
Director, Educator Recruitment and Retention Department
Arizona Department of Education
100 North 15th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85201

Arizona Department of Education website

(Updated 2/9/26)

Arizona Milken Educators

• Angelica Garcia
  Westwood Elementary School
  Phoenix
  2025
• Jeff Martin
  Clarendon Elementary School
  Phoenix
  2024
• Ashley Meyer
  Horizon Honors Elementary School
  Phoenix
  2023
• Aga Cook
  Camp Mohave Elementary School
  Fort Mohave
  2023
• Megan Brown
  Buckeye Elementary School
  Buckeye
  2022
• Melissa Martin
  Chinle Junior High School
  Chinle
  2021
• Jessica Zimmerman
  Valley View Leadership Academy
  Phoenix
  2021
• Omar Duron
  Southwest Junior High School
  San Luis
  2019
• Jonathan Cadena
  Desert View High School
  Tucson
  2017
• Timothy Thomas
  Rogers Ranch School
  Phoenix
  2016
• Nicki Derryberry
  Red Mountain High School
  Mesa
  2015
• Brittany Matsushino
  Cienega High School
  Vail
  2015
• Shalini Sharma
  Friendly House Academia Del Pueblo Elementary School
  Phoenix
  2014
• Ana Gutierrez
  Longview Elementary School
  Phoenix
  2014
• Christopher Laughland
  Walden Grove High School
  Sahuarita
  2013
• Dr. Danielle Ferreira
  Constitution Elementary School
  Phoenix
  2012
• Bradley Breuer
  Pedro Guerrero Elementary School
  Mesa
  2010
• Jim Davis
  Centennial High School
  Peoria
  2009
• Jenny Svans
  Kerr Elementary School
  Mesa
  2008
• Caroline S. Torres
  Sahuarita High School
  Sahuarita
  2007
• Laura L. Lyman
  Ishikawa Elementary School
  Mesa
  2006
• Marco A. Ramirez
  Pueblo Gardens Elementary School
  Tucson
  2006
• Sylvia A. Grace
  Desert Ridge High School
  Mesa
  2005
• Elie Shutz Gaines
  Pinnacle Peak Elementary School
  Scottsdale
  2004
• Deborah Peterson
  Village Meadows Elementary School
  Phoenix
  2004
• Patricia Saganey-Wayne
  Kayenta Middle School
  Kayenta
  2003
• Sheryl Castro
  Catalina Foothills High School
  Tucson
  2003
• Raye Nelson
  Children's Success Academy
  Tucson
  2002
• Meredith Andrews
  Desert Willow Elementary School
  Cave Creek
  2002
• Alberto Jesus Urquidez
  Flowing Wells High School
  Tucson
  2001
• Dr. Kevin J. Corner
  Mountain View High School
  Tucson
  2001
• Abby J. Dupke
  Dobson High School
  Mesa
  2001
• Kimberly Allen
  Garden Lakes Elementary School
  Phoenix
  2000
• Jim Manley
  Stevenson Elementary School
  Mesa
  2000
• Rick Stephen
  Orangedale Elementary School
  Phoenix
  2000
• Krista Newcomb
  Villa Montessori Academy
  Scottsdale
  2000
• Dr. Gary Batsell
  Cholla Middle School
  Phoenix
  1999
• Bruce DuPlanty
  Mountain Ridge High School
  Glendale
  1999
• Douglas Jackson
  Center For Academic Success
  Sierra Vista
  1999
• Mary Orlando
  Villa Montessori Main Campus
  Phoenix
  1999
• Deborah Benedict
  Desert Vista High School
  Phoenix
  1998
• Dr. Martha Braly
  Montebello School
  Phoenix
  1998
• Esther Brown
  Williams Elementary-Middle School
  Williams
  1998
• Dr. Jayne Carper
  Madison School # 1
  Phoenix
  1998
• Patrick Murdoch
  Young Teaching High School
  Young
  1998
• Dr. Manuel Valenzuela
  Walter Douglas Elementary School
  Tucson
  1998