Tucson Values Teachers (TVT) presented the December Teacher Excellence Award to Alyson Cartwright, a teacher at Rincon High School in Tucson Unified School District. Ms. Cartwright teaches chemistry and AVID, a college and career readiness system. In addition, Ms. Cartwright is on the technology team and started a programming club on campus where students end the year certified in a coding platform.
Ms. Cartwright, who is in her second year of teaching, was nominated by several of her colleagues at Rincon High School, including principal Alissa Welch. In her nominating statement Ms. Welch wrote, “Alyson came to teaching after a fulfilling career as a field scientist. She brings deep rooted, hands on, practical curriculum into her science classroom and goes above and beyond to serve and inspire students from all walks of life.”
Prior to a career in education, Ms. Cartwright was a geochemist and owned her own software company. She made the switch to teaching because she felt the need to do something important.
“She keeps everyone on track while supporting and uplifting everyone around her,” Ms. Welch wrote. “She is extremely deserving and dedicated to the welfare of others.”
Tucson Values Teachers spotlights quality Southern Arizona teachers every month. Teachers are nominated through Tucson Values Teachers’ website by colleagues, students, friends, and other community members. This month’s Teacher Excellence Award winner received $260 cash courtesy of Helios Education Foundation, a $100 gift card to Amazon, flowers, a TVT tumbler, and an insulated bag from Tucson Federal Credit Union that contained small gift items including a $20 gift card to Target.
More information about the Teacher Excellence Award, including the nomination form, can be found at www.tucsonvaluesteachers.org.
