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Now Accepting 2027 Award Nominations

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year

AAGT presents annually the Gifted Education Teacher of the Year Award to an individual currently teaching K-12 gifted students in a classroom or in a context such as a pullout class for gifted students. This individual demonstrates best practices in gifted education, displays exemplary knowledge of gifted students and demonstrates the ability to accommodate academic learning differences, including the social and emotional issues unique to gifted students, and implements equitable and culturally responsive practices in gifted education.

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Gifted Education Leadership Award

AAGT annually presents a Gifted  Education Leadership Award to an individual who brings about change that results in improved services within a district or change that has a state-wide impact. These individuals may be a district gifted coordinator, principal, superintendent, school board member, counselor, college/university faculty member or others in a leadership position. The contributions of this individual may include: development or growth of district-wide programming that meets the needs of gifted students; identification practices that minimize bias, implement programming that meets the academic and affective needs of diverse gifted learners; provides professional development that supports teachers and leaders on the needs of advanced learners, and advocates within the district for gifted education and gifted children.

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Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted

AAGT annually presents the Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award to a recipient who consistently supports the mission and vision of AAGT through advocating for the support of gifted education opportunities and appropriate gifted education funding throughout the state of Arizona for the benefit of Arizona’s diverse population of gifted and talented students. This recipient may be a parent, a group, a state or federally elected official, or a member of the business community or media.

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Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement

AAGT occasionally presents the Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award to an individual who over an extended period of time has devoted time, expertise and resources to the advancement of gifted education in the state of Arizona and nationally so that gifted children of all races, cultures and groups have had the opportunity to achieve their full potential. This award is typically awarded at the end of career/post career.

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AAGT Annual Awards Recipient History

Discover the rich history of AAGT Annual Award Recipients and honor the exceptional individuals who have shaped gifted education in Arizona. From the Gifted Education Teacher of the Year to the Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement honorees, explore the stories of educators and leaders who have made a profound impact on gifted students. Join us in celebrating their dedication, innovation, and commitment to fostering the potential of gifted and talented youth across the state.

2026

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year
Heidi McKeever • Cholla Middle School, • Washington Elementary School District

Gifted Education Leadership Award
Kira Thomas • Alhambra Unified School District

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award
Dr. Dondi Luce • Principal, Twin Peaks K–8 School • Marana Unified School District

Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award
Karen L. Brown, M.Ed.

2025

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year
Dr. Karen Hudson,  Gifted Teacher • Paradise Valley USD • Paradise Valley, Arizona

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award
Julie Gunnigle • Attorney & Gifted Advocate • Phoenix, Arizona

Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Dina Brulles, Gifted Program Coordinator • Mary Lou Fulton Teacher’s College at Arizona State University • Phoenix, Arizona

2023

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year
Beth Perry,  Gifted Teacher • Washington ESD • Phoenix, Arizona

Gifted Education Leadership Award
Dr. Jason McIntosh, Director of Advanced Learning Experiences • Wilson ESD • Phoenix, Arizona

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award
Dr. Paul Beljan Neuropschologist & Founder • Beljan Psychological Services • Scottsdale and Chandler, Arizona

Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Kimberly Lansdowne Founding, Executive Director • Herberger Young Scholars Academy • Phoenix, Arizona

2022

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year
Melissa John, Third Grade Teacher •  Vail USD • Vail, Arizona

Gifted Education Leadership Award
Cymry DeBoucher, Co-Chair of REACH Program • Amphitheater USD • Tucson, Arizona

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Awards
Sen Paul Boyer, AZ Senator • LD 20 • Glendale
Rep Jennifer Pawlik AZ Representative • LD 17 • Chandler
Rep Michelle Udall, AZ Representative • LD 25 • Mesa
Sen Sean Bowie, AZ Senator • LD 18 • Ahwatukee, South Tempe, West Chandler, and Southwest Mesa

2021

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year
Nadia Westen, Gifted Teacher • Fort Huachauca Accommodation Schools • Fort Huachauca, Arizona

2020

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year
Gail Oxford, Gifted Education Teacher • Buckeye ESD • Buckeye, Arizona

Gifted Education Leadership Award
Dr. LeeAnn Aguilar-Lawlor, Superintendent • Cartwright School District • Phoenix, Arizona

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award
Peter Laing, Director of Gifted Education/ Advanced Placement • Arizona Department of Education • Phoenix, Arizona

2019

Teacher of the Year
Vanessa Hill, Teacher at Rio Vista Elementary • Amphitheater USD • Phoenix, Arizona

Administrator of the Year
Cindy Wiste, Assistant Director of Math, Science, Gifted Education & STEAM • Pendergast ESD • Phoenix, Arizona

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award
Dustin Williams, Pima County Superintendent of Schools • Pima County, Arizona

Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award
Donna Campbell, Past President and AAGT Advocacy Chair • Carefree, Arizona

2018

Gifted Education Teacher of the Year
Janet Spicer,  GTP Teacher • Mesa Public Schools • Mesa, Arizona

Gifted Education Leadership Award
Stacey Greene, Middle School Gifted Teacher for the Comprehensive Gifted Program • Scottsdale USD • Scottsdale, Arizona

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award
Kate Brophy McGee, State Senator (LD 28)
Stephanie Newitt, President of Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted • Gilbert USD • Gilbert, Arizona

2017

Teacher of the Year
Carrie Garrison, Teacher • Cartwright ESD • Phoenix, Arizona

Administrator of the Year
Dianna Kuhn • Amphitheater ESD • Tucson, Arizona

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award
Engine-uity, LLC

Special Thank You
Stephanie Newitt, President, Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted • Gilbert USD • Gilbert, Arizona

2016

Administrator of the Year
Amber MacRobbie, Department Chair, Accelerated Learning Program • Gilbert USD • Gilbert, Arizona

Dr. James T. Webb Friend of the Gifted Award
Rep. Heather Carter, State Representative
Sen. Jeff Dial, State Senator

2015

Teacher of the Year
Amanda Scheeler, Math Teacher, Vista Grande High School • Casa Grande USD • Casa Grande, Arizona

2014

Middle School Teacher of the Year
Adam Laningham, Canton Springs STEM Academy • Deer Valley USD • Phoenix, Arizona

Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Carrie Edawrds, Estrella Vista Elementary School • Littleton ESD • Avondale, Arizona

Administrator of the Year
Dr. Kimberly Lansdowne, Hergberger Young Scholars Academy • Mary Lou Fulton Teacher College • Glendale, Arizona

Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award
Kathy Kolbe, Co-Founder of AAGT in 1974

2013

Middle School Teacher of the Year
Phonda Sobon, REACH Program, Madison Park School • Madison ESD • Phoenix, Arizona

Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Karen Brown, Gifted Program Mentor • Paradise Valley USD • Scottsdale, Arizona

2012

K-12 Educator of the Year
April Barnes, Renaissance Gifted and Music Academy, Esperanza Elementary • Deer Valley USD • Phoenix, Arizona

Administrator of the Year
Jennifer Minor, Sonoran Sky Elementary School • Paradise Valley USD • Paradise Valley, Arizona

2011

K-12 Educator of the Year
Karen Mensing, Elementary Teacher • Paradise Valley Unified School District • Paradise Valley, Arizona

Administrator of the Year
Janeine Marlow, Principal, Horseshoe Trails Elementary School • Cave Creek Unified School District • Cave Creek, Arizona

Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award
James Webb & Janet Gore • Great Potential Press • Tucson, Arizona

2010

K-12 Educator of the Year
Mary Phillips, TES • Window Rock • Window Rock, Arizona

Administrator of the Year
Walter Chandler • Scottsdale ESD • Scottsdale, Arizona

Dr. Sanford J. Cohn Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Sharon Hooker • Sunnyside, Arizona

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