Kadir Bahar

Kadir Bahar, Math teacher at Sonoran Science Academy in Tucson, is the latest winner of our Teacher Excellence Award! We are extremely proud to honor an educator of his stature.

Two people nominated Kadir and both nominations referred to him as a math hero. After all, he was the only teacher in Arizona to receive the Raytheon Math Hero award in 2009, which is given to deserving teachers who promote math to students in a fun and challenging learning environment.

Kadir has also led a math team to the National MathCounts competition several years in a row! And he is one of a handful of teachers in Arizona to ever receive the Edyth May Sliffe Award, given by the Mathematical Association of America for repeated student success in the subject.

For more information on the Teacher Excellence Award, click here.

Diane Weeks

Diane Weeks, Kindergarten teacher at Richardson Elementary School in Tucson, was honored as the January 2010 recipient of Tucson Values Teachers' Teacher Excellence Award. 

In recognition of her excellence, Diane was nominated by three individuals: Kandy Clinkingbeard, John Pearson, Jr. and Stephanie Pearson.  All three noted her her passion, courage and deeply rooted dedication to the children.

Diane received a bouquet of flowers, balloons and gift certificates from OfficeMax.  This month, Dixon Golf joined in the program and presented a certificate to Mrs. Weeks and a second OfficeMax gift certificate.

For more information on the Teacher Excellence Award, click here.

Diane Schleider

OfficeMax and Tucson Values Teachers are pleased to recognize Diane Schleider, 6th grade teacher at Harelson Elementary in Tucson, with a Teacher Excellence Award. This honor showcases the extraordinary level of excellence and commitment that she demonstrates every day in the classroom.

As the very first recipient of the award, we are especially thrilled to have a teacher of Diane's caliber.  She has set a high bar for future recipients!

Diane was nominated by Colleen Crowninshield, manager of the Pima Association of Governments' Clean Cities Program. Her words best capture the excellence that Diane personifes.

“We were so very blessed to not only to have had Mrs. Schleider for my daughter in 6th grade, but now, our son, in the 6th grade is learning to love reading, learning, and excelling because of one incredible individual: Mrs. Diane Schleider.

Mrs. Schleider treats every student with respect, love and care, making them believe in themselves and helping them to excel as young adults who in turn respect, love and care about their own education, as well as the environment they grow in.

Both my son and daughter said she makes them feel as if they are the only student in class, encouraging them to be the best they can be.  I truly feel Mrs. Schleider is a diamond in the desert; she is a credit to the teaching profession and deserves respect and praise from parents and students for years to come.  Amphi should be very proud to have such an amazing advocate, teacher and mentor for our children.”

Tucson Values Teachers is dedicated to demonstrating to all K-12 teachers that the work they do is highly valued, and that it contributes enormously to the strength and well-being of the Southern Arizona region.  With supporters like OfficeMax, we are pleased to be able to say “thank you” for Diane's excellence and commitment.

For more information on the Teacher Excellence Award, click here.