Education Foundation

Teacher of the Year Nomination Forms

Teacher of the Year Nomination Forms will be posted on the Education Foundation of Yuma County website when they become available.

Education Foundation of Yuma County
YumaEdFoundation.org.

Thorp wins Yuma County Teacher of the Year

By John Marinelli, @anacutaljohn

Apr 23, 2019 Updated Apr 23, 2019

One of the biggest nights in Yuma education, the county’s Teacher of the Year awards, happened Tuesday, and Theodore Thorp, a science teacher at Pueblo Elementary School, took home the big prize.

Thorp, who has been teaching for six years, gave an emotional and energetic acceptance speech, thanking his parents and expressing how much he loves his students.

“At the end of the day, everything I do is for them,” he said.

He doesn’t just get the honor of being 2018’s top educator, though. After Tuesday’s event, his excellent teaching during 2018 earned him three free credits to Northern Arizona University, a $1000 Paul Harris fellowship and a free trip to Hawaii courtesy of the Yuma Investment Group.

The award for Teacher of the Year for grades K-3 went to Alice Byrne Elementary’s Kate Hazen, who in her acceptance speech said that teachers “may not have the money, but we have the heart and the passion, and that’s what counts.”

Deborah Childs of Ronald Reagan Elementary School took home the prize for Teacher of the Year for grades 4-6, David Cullison of Fourth Avenue Junior High School won Middle and Junior High School Teacher of the Year and culinary arts instructor Christie Nicholson of Kofa High School came out on top for grades 9-12.

Teacher of the year Theodore Thorp (right) stands with his check for a trip to Hawaii.

Kate Hazen, this year's Teacher of the Year for grades K-3, gives her acceptance speech.

Deborah Childs, this year's Teacher of the Year for grades 4-6, is seen with her award.

Middle and Junior High School Teacher of the Year David Cullison accepts his award.

High School Teacher of the Year Christie Nicholson accepts her award.