2026 Tempe Diablos Excellence in Education Winners

We recently celebrated 15 incredible finalists representing Tempe Elementary Schools at the 37th annual Tempe Diablos Charities Excellence in Education Awards. It was an inspiring night of honoring the passion, dedication, and impact of our well-deserving educators and staff.

Congratulations to our 2026 Tempe Diablos Excellence in Education Award Winners!

Additional congratulations goes out to the talented finalists and nominees representing Tempe Elementary!

FINALISTS

TEACHER OF THE YEAR Sha'meka Sampler, Connolly Haley ten Hope, Curry Cheryl Wiltbank, Arredondo	INSPIRATION Magdalena Lawrence, Getz Dixie Papano, McKemy	LIFETIME Dr. Jennifer Ostrom, District Carolyn Zimmerman, Rover
CLASS ACT Pamela Latham, Curry Sari Philipps, Connolly	RISING STAR Habacuc Ortiz, Fees  Karson Sakalosky, Spracale	LEADERSHIP Christina Culbertson, District Will Shropshire, District
	HIGH IMPACT Kaitlin Dyal, Scales Alexis Hopper, Shamley

 

NOMINEES

Alexa Brazier Alexis Hopper Alice Kilby Aliyah Gortarez Allison Day Alyssa Ferguson Alyssa Fisher Alyssa Neuenfeldt Alysse Normoyle Amanda Ramierz Amber Emr Amy Bemis Andrew Lebowitz Angelisa Rodriguez Anne Fisher April Cylwik Arcelia Winward Ashley Sims Briana Doyle Brianna Manheim Dr. Brittany Schroeder Bryan Bennett Cecilia Villalogos Chelsey Sands Cheryl Roman Christopher Taylor Colleen Hohman Colleen Love Corinne Kurpakus Courtney Darby Courtney Moore

Debra Thompson Debra Woodrum Derek Heck Desirae Ellis Dorian Peterson Drew Oberhotlzer Elisabeth Bickley Elizabeth Browne Elizabeth Kolczak Elizabeth Sacco Ellen Miller Ellie Tucker Erin Crawford Ginan Rodriguez Greta Olsen Dr. Gwyneth Marr Honey Short Jackie Bowers Jackie Turner Jane Fabbrini Dr. Jeffery Shores Jenna Kellogg Jennifer Zamenski Jessica Zimmerman Jody Marquie JoLyn Gibbons Joshua Nichols Juana Lara Katelyn Sweat Katelyn Wirtz

Katlyn Cain Kaylie Aguilar Kaylie Petrie Kelli Ford Kelly Martinez Klya Hannan Korrene Atwell Kristan Peterson Kristen Terell Kyle Pierce Laura Cruz Lauren Gentile Lauren Smeltzer Lauren Walter Lauren Woodward Laurie Joseph Lia Furiga Lillie Chase Lori Schmidt Lucas Pugh Madeline Cole Manuel Leyden Maran Musa-Carr Marcella Kilmer Maria Fernanda Cervantes Moreno Mariela Beltran Mark Aralica Marla Naisant Marsha Murphy Michele Liggett

Michele Shultz Michelle Widener Minh Dao Natalie Kramer Nathan Maruca Nidia Lias Nyktashia LaFate Paige Pittman Pam Burnsworth Pat Thornton Paul West Ronald Blake Rosana Hernandez Ruben Martinez Sarah Blasz Sarah Moan Sarah Tippins Sarena Yeh Shelia Jackson Skilar Hanson Stefanie Branum Suzanne Courtney Sylvia Chapman Tara Staroszik Tawyna Kumarakulasingam Taylor Morrison Ting Ting Ho Valerie Spadea Veronica Hibbert Victoria Gonzalez Zulema Hernandez