Tucson Values Teachers (TVT) presented the December Teacher Excellence Award to Carmen Haber, a teacher at Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB) Preschool. Ms. Haber has taught for the past 17 years, the last four have been at the preschool where she works with students who have a hearing loss. Ms. Haber was surprised with the award during a virtual staff meeting.
In addition to being a teacher mentor for new teachers at ASDB Preschool, Ms. Haber serves as a Tucson Regional Educator Collaborative (TREC) Teacher Leader. In this capacity, Haber leads a Community of Practice (COP) on Trauma Informed Teaching.
Ms. Haber said, “I love working with our little ones and supporting our parents at the beginning of their journey. I have children of my own with a hearing loss so this is also very personal for me—to be involved and support those who may need support.”
Alie Castillo Rocha nominated Ms. Haber for the Teacher Excellence Award. In her nominating statement she wrote, “Mrs. Carmen is a wonderful teacher with a passion. My children love her and she always finds a way to make her lessons engaging and tailored for the children she’s working with.”
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. Winners of the Teacher Excellence Award receive $250 cash courtesy of Helios Education Foundation, a $100 gift certificate to Jonathan’s Educational Resources, and flowers.
