National Board Certified Teachers
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward great teachers – and make them better. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCTs have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. There are currently 63,821 NBCTs in the United States, including 452 in Arizona. Research demonstrates these outstanding educators consistently outperform their peers in knowledge of subject matter and ability to create challenging and engaging lessons.

Arizona Master Teachers
The Master Teacher Program is Arizona's first statewide mentoring and induction program. Master Teacher Mentors are selected from identified Master Teachers and recognized for excellent teaching. They are then given training and the responsibility of guiding the newest members of the profession toward greater effectiveness and stability. If you have the following, you can apply to become a Master Teacher:

• At least five years of experience.
• Strong evaluations.
• Demonstrated student achievement and growth.

If selected to be a Master Teacher Mentor you would:

• Serve for three years as a Master Teacher Mentor and provide defined mentoring for new teachers in a building/district.
• Participate in state-sponsored professional development for mentors.
• Provide at least half-time release for Master Teacher Mentoring.

Rodel Exemplary Teachers
Rodel Teachers, as identified by the Arizona Rodel Foundation’s Exemplary Teacher Initiative, possess a track record of extraordinary student achievement in high-poverty schools. Rodel Exemplary Teachers are honored at an annual awards banquet and each receives $10,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds. As Rodel Exemplary Teachers, they have committed to supervise and mentor six Rodel Promising Student Teachers over three years.

Teachers of the Year/Ambassadors for Excellence
Sponsored by the Arizona Education Foundation, this program annually recognizes five exceptionally skilled and dedicated pre-kindergarten through 12th Grade public school teachers. Nominees are those individuals who have gained the respect and admiration of students, parents, and co-workers. They play an active and useful role in their communities as well as their schools, often distinguishing themselves as leaders. They have a superior ability to help all students achieve. Teachers may self-nominate, be nominated by a student, a co-worker, a principal, a school or district committee, a friend or family member to apply for the award. Those selected win a cash award, teaching tools, as well as other opportunities for growth.

Arizona Education Association Leaders
AEA leaders participate in education, business, and civic partnerships and coalitions as part of the AEA mission to make Arizona's public schools the best they can be. Nearly every school community in Arizona has teacher leaders, elected by their peers or who volunteer their skills and talents, who are members of the Arizona Education Association. These teachers provide leadership in a wide variety of areas at their local school sites and in their communities; assisting new teachers, developing curriculum, providing professional development and leadership training and advocating for quality teaching and learning conditions a the local, state and national level. They are a part of a statewide network of more than 33,000 educators and a national network that exceeds 2.5 million teachers, support professionals, higher education and retired members. AEA members touch the lives of nearly every child in Arizona's public schools.