AEF Names Balsz Elementary School Teacher Joy Weiss 2010 Arizona Teacher of the Year

PHOENIX - November 10, 2009 - The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) has named Joy Weiss, a first grade teacher at Phoenix's Balsz Elementary School, as Arizona's 2010 Teacher of the Year. Weiss received the award during AEF's 26th annual Arizona Teacher of the Year luncheon held on Nov. 5th at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale.

Weiss has taught at Balsz Elementary School for the past 10 years. Inspired at the young age of five to become a teacher, she infuses students' lives with her life-long passion for education. Her success lies in her ability to influence students to become active participants in the learning process. She encourages young people to pursue, gain and impart knowledge, igniting a process that she hopes will positively impact the lives of students, families and communities.

"Teaching is not something you do, but something much greater than words can really express," said Weiss. "Facilitator, leader, provider, supporter, comforter, problem solver, evaluator and learner are just some of the titles that express who and what I am. It is not my job just to teach, but to empower lifelong learning."

The Arizona Educational Foundation along with Wells Fargo, the presenting sponsor of the Teacher of the Year program, presented Ms. Weiss with a $20,000 check at the luncheon. In addition, she will receive a laptop from Intel Corporation; a chance to compete for the honor of National Teacher of the Year; a trip to space camp in Huntsville, Ala.; the honor of meeting the President of the United States; a full scholarship to Argosy University; professional speech training; and a host of other valuable awards and recognitions.

"As an outstanding classroom teacher, Joy will serve as a great spokesperson for all teachers throughout Arizona and as an effective advocate for children in classrooms across the state," said Bobbie O'Boyle, Executive Director of the Arizona Educational Foundation.

At the Teacher of the Year luncheon, AEF also named four runners-up as "Ambassadors for Excellence:"

• Donna Moore, Physical Education, Julia Randall Elementary School, Payson;
• Cynthia Rolewski, Technology/Reading, La Cima Middle School, Tucson, Amphitheater District;
• Barbara Tingle, Kindergarten, Sahuarita Primary School, Sahuarita;
• Jamie Valderrama, Science, Higley High School, Gilbert, Higley Unified District

AEF's four Ambassadors for Excellence will serve as spokespersons for their profession, advocating for excellence in the classroom by making presentations statewide to education, civic, government and professional organizations. In addition, each Ambassador will receive a $5,000-cash reward, a laptop from Intel Corporation, professional speech training, and a scholarship from Argosy University for 50 percent of the cost of tuition towards a master's or doctorate in education.

AEF's Teacher of the Year program is the only statewide program spotlighting the contributions of Arizona's teachers. Students, parents and administrators in communities across Arizona were encouraged to nominate a teacher of excellence for this year's award. Presenting sponsor of the Teacher of the Year Program is Wells Fargo in collaboration with The Arizona Republic, Intel Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, SRP and the Whiteman Foundation. For more information on Joy Weiss, AEF's 2010 Teacher of the Year, or to learn more about the Teacher of the Year program, please visit www.azedfoundation.org.