High School Teacher Award
Recognizing outstanding high-school chemistry teaching across the Southern Arizona Section of the ACS.
Recognizing outstanding high-school chemistry teaching across the Southern Arizona Section of the ACS.
This award recognizes and encourages excellence in the teaching of chemistry or chemical science at the high-school level within the Southern Arizona Section of the American Chemical Society.
Any individual, except a member of the award selection committee or a current student of the nominee, may submit one nomination or support form in any given year.
The nominee must be actively engaged in teaching chemistry or chemical science at a high school (grades 9–12) on at least a half-time basis. The nominee’s teaching should clearly demonstrate excellence and innovation in chemistry education.
Award Amount: $1000 to the teacher.
A nomination portfolio shall consist of:
Now Accepting Nominations!
Nominations can be completed online or sent to Dr. Nicolette Hehrbenstrath at [email protected].
Submissions received by April 2026 will be considered for this year’s award.
(You’ll be directed to the official High School Teacher Award Nomination Form.)
| Year | Name | High School |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ms. Tiffany Newton | Andrada Polytechnic High School (Vail, AZ) |
| 2024 | Ms. Ariana Garcia | Empire High School |
| 2023 | Ms. Laila Butler | Catalina Foothills High School |
| 2022 | Dr. Zach Ancharia | TUSD University High School |
| 2021 | Ms. Elaine MacKenzie | Vail Academy and High School |
| 2020 | Mr. David "Ty" White | Wilcox High School |
| 2019 | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
| 2018 | Dr. Rene Corrales | Star Academy High School |
| 2017 | Ms. Danielle Abrames | Immaculate Heart High School |
| 2016 | Ms. Hillary Ward | Empire High School |
| 2015 | Mr. Bernie Diffin | Catalina Magnet High School |
| 2014 | Dr. Grazyna Zreda | Tanque Verde High School |
| 2013 | Mr. Christopher Trimble | Santa Rita High School |
| 2012 | Ms. Wilma Amaro | Pueblo Magnet High School |
| 2011 | Ms. Stacey Jones-Willy | Tucson High School |
| 2010 | Mr. Gordon Simons | Sabino High School |
| 2009 | Ms. Dawn Barnes | Cienega High School |
| 2008 | Mr. Daniel Donegan | Sunnyside High School |
| 2007 | Mr. Christopher Martin | Howenstein Magnet High School |
| 2006 | Ms. Jill Christman | Canyon del Oro High School |
| 2005 | Ms. Patricia Merha | Amphitheater High School |
| 2004 | Ms. Elyse Wexler | Sabino High School |
| 2003 | Ms. Gayle Brickert-Albrecht | Tucson High School |
| 2002 | Ms. Ellen Caldwell | Palo Verde High School |
| 2001 | Ms. Teresa Potter | Rio Rico High School |
| 2000 | Ms. Ann Marie Condes | Catalina Foothills High School |
| 1999 | Ms. Brenda Wolpa | Canyon del Oro High School |