Tucson Values Teachers surprised five local educators this week with the Teacher Excellence Award. As a special edition of the award for Teacher Appreciation Week, Tucson Values Teachers asked students to submit video nominations.
Teachers who received the Teacher Excellence Award this week include:
Tiffany Wiley: 1st and 2nd grade teacher at Manzanita Elementary School in Catalina Foothills School District. She was nominated by her entire multiage class. The nominating video can be found here. Ms. Wiley has been teaching for the past 18 years, the last 16 at Manzanita. Ms. Wiley is National Board Certified and is currently in the process of renewing that certification.
Karla Bernal: Kindergarten teacher at Esperanza Elementary School in Sunnyside Unified School District. She was nominated by her entire class. The nominating video can be found here. Mrs. Bernal has spent her entire 23-year teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Esperanza.
Ralph Chiariello: 7th grade math teacher at Anza Trail K-8 School in Sahuarita Unified School District. He was nominated by many of his math students. The nominating video can be found here. Mr. Chiariello is in his 5th year of teaching an Anza Trail after a career as an accountant. In addition to teaching math, Mr. Chiariello coaches football and basketball and is the yearbook advisor.
Kaitlyn Capas: 2nd grade teacher at Hendricks Elementary School in Flowing Wells School District. She was nominated by Natalie Bartzen. Mrs. Capas is in her 6th year teaching at Hendricks. She is also the yearbook coordinator and runs the Skills for Success program, an after-school and summer program to support students.
Shelley Wermuth: 7th grade science teacher at Dove Mountain CSTEM K-8 in Marana Unified School District. She was nominated by Emily West. The nominating video can be found here. Ms. Wermuth has taught for five years, two years at Dove Mountain and three at Tortolita Middle School. In addition to teaching 7th grade science classes, Ms. Wermuth is the STEM lab elective teacher for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. She also is the girls volleyball coach at Dove Mountain and the varsity volleyball coach at Mountain View High School.
