2025-02-06
Do you remember the person who taught you your ABCs?
Or the person who would tie your shoelaces when your parents weren’t around?
Or the first person who noticed your talent and suggested you go to college one day?
We all have fond memories of the teachers who made a difference in our lives. The teachers who set us on the path of self-discovery and success.
And for an impressionable child, seeing a teacher who looks like them—who talks like them, who comes from the same background—is so important.
That’s why, since 1998, our Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards have recognized the work of outstanding Latino teachers across Arizona. We celebrate their dedication, passion, and impact as we anticipate our 26th awards ceremony.
This May 2025, four teachers will be selected for a $5,000 cash prize and a $2,500 stipend for their school.
We look forward to celebrating heroes from our Arizona classrooms!
Who will YOU recognize with an Esperanza Award?
If you are a teacher, school colleague, or principal from an accredited education institution, you may nominate an educator who meets the criteria to be an Esperanza Latino Teacher Award winner. Any full-time certified teacher working in Arizona at a state-accredited public school or school operating under the Bureau of Indian Education is eligible for nomination.
Additionally, nominees must:
- Spend the majority (over 50%) of their teaching assignment in direct instruction to students.
- Teach any grade Pre-K-12th (or combination) in Arizona. Teachers may work in any content area, including Special Education, P.E., the Arts, etc.
- Have completed at least six (6) full years as a fully-certified classroom teacher at the time the application is submitted with the most recent three years in Arizona. Note: Years of student teaching or apprenticeship do not count toward this requirement.
- Be a full-time teacher and plan to continue in an active teaching status through school year 2025-2026.
The awards will be presented at an in-person luncheon on Friday, May 2nd and shared via a 2-week integrated social media campaign following the in-person award ceremony.
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ON THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025, BY 5:00PM.
Feel free to contact us via email at Cathy.Keppel@CPLC.org or phone at (602) 257-6759 with questions regarding eligibility.