One of Coconino County’s top three teachers was selected as a finalist for the 2014 Arizona Teacher of the Year.
Christine Sapio, a physics teacher at Coconino High School in Flagstaff, was named an Ambassador for the Coconino County Teacher of the Year last May. Sapio will be competing against nine other teachers for Arizona Teacher of the Year.
“Our communities have some of the most dedicated teachers in the country and I congratulate Ms. Sapio on her recognition. She absolutely deserves it,” said Superintended of Schools Robert Kelty, who began the County Teach of the Year award last year. “We have fantastic teachers in Coconino County and we need to honor their contributions to our community. This is a real honor for Ms. Sapio.”
The prestigious Arizona Teacher of the Year award is sponsored by the Arizona Education Foundation. The program allows teachers from across the state to become advocates on behalf of the profession in Arizona and around the country.
Ms. Sapio teaches ninth to twelfth-grade students, helping them see the practical application of physics in every life. She is also in the process of writing a specialized curriculum and finishing her master’s degree.
The winner of the 2014 Arizona Teacher of the Year will be announced Nov. 14 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.
Coconino County has had two finalists for Arizona Teacher of the Year in the past six years, including Sapio. Kelty went on to become Teacher of the Year in 2008.