Mesa woman named Arizona Teacher of Year

Mesa Skyline High School’s Nancie Lindblom has been named Arizona Teacher of the Year.

The award from the Arizona Educational Foundation comes with a spot as a finalist for National Teacher of Year,
$15,000 cash, a trip to Space Camp in Alabama and a visit with President Obama, among other prizes.

“If students can relate to the people of history, I can convince them that they can achieve the same great deeds. I want them to believe it is possible for them to make a difference,” Lindblom said in a statement.

Lindblom teaches advanced placement U.S. history.

“It’s such an inspirational experience to watch Ms. Lindblom in her classroom. Her energy as a teacher and the enthusiasm she generates among her students are palpable,” said Bobbie O’Boyle, executive director of AEF.

The educational organization also announced four other teachers were selected as “Ambassadors of Excellence.”

• Becky Cavazos, fourth-grade teacher at Borton Magnet School, Tucson, Tucson Unified School District

• Lindsey Connor, seventh-grade mathematics teacher at San Tan Elementary School, Gilbert, Higley Unified School District

• Katrina Herrera, sixth-through-eighth grade special-education math teacher at Sierra Middle School, Tucson, Sunnyside Unified School District

• Jose “Chach” Snook, seventh- and eighth- grade choir and drama teacher at Flowing Wells Jr. High School, Tucson, Flowing Wells Unified School District

All of the honorees will march in the Fiesta Bowl Parade. Perhaps even more impressive as far as the students are concerned, all five teachers earned ice cream parties from Blue Bell for their schools.