Four Tucson educators are being recognized as Rodel Exemplary Teacher finalists for their ability to spur achievement in high-poverty schools.
The four teachers, representing the Amphitheater, Flowing Wells and Sunnyside school districts, have chosen not only to stay in the profession at a time when many are leaving in droves, they have committed themselves to high-poverty schools where struggles at home regularly spill into the classroom, judges said.
Despite the challenges, however, the teachers have had a positive impact on achievement and are being recognized for their ability to connect with students. They are:
- Brie Barber
- , a third-grade teacher at Walter Douglas Elementary School
- Polly Kimminau
- , a seventh-grade math teacher at La Cima Middle School
- Sonya Alvarado-Rosales
- , a second-grade teacher at Elvira Elementary School
- Donna Varma
- , a third-grade teacher at Rio Vista Elementary School
They are four of two dozen finalists from across the state in the running for the Rodel Exemplary Teacher honor.
Fifteen winners will be named, including three in Tucson. The Arizona Daily Star will reveal one winner a day starting Friday.
Now in its 13th year, the Rodel Exemplary Teacher program seeks to not only recognize the work of highly effective teachers, but to create a pipeline of effective educators by having each winner mentor three promising student teachers.
“The Rodel Teacher initiative is critical to the retention of Arizona teachers for two reasons,” said Mike Henderson, director of initiatives at Rodel Foundation of Arizona. “First, the recognition of exemplary teachers who are serving high-need communities across the state boosts morale and sends a definitive message to teachers that their practice is important and impactful.
“When early-career teachers feel prepared, valued and recognized for their work, they are motivated to remain in our profession as they guide students toward higher levels of critical thinking and problem solving year after year.”
An Arizona State University study showed that Rodel Exemplary Teachers had significantly more children meeting or exceeding standards on the state test than teachers at similar schools.
This year’s Rodel Exemplary Teacher finalists were identified by their school administrators, who were asked which of their teachers they would like to clone. Achievement data was analyzed and observations and interviews were conducted to narrow the field from 42 semifinalists to 24.
