Four CFSD Teachers Named E.L.E.V.A.T.E. Award Finalists

Posted Date: 09/01/26 (05:00 PM)

Last spring, we asked you to nominate an outstanding CFSD education leader for the Tucson Values Teachers E.L.E.V.A.T.E. Award, sponsored by Raytheon. We are thrilled to share that four of CFSD's incredible teachers have been named finalists. E.L.E.V.A.T.E. stands for Excellence, Leadership, Engagement, Vision, Achievement, Transformation, and Empowerment, all incredible attributes that describe our teachers.

Among the twelve finalists selected for the E.L.E.V.A.T.E. Award are four outstanding CFSD teachers:

Amanda Bogle

Dr. Mary Florek

Anita McGuire

Noah Mickey-Colman

Please join us in congratulating all four on this well-deserved recognition!

Our Finalists

Amanda Bogle — Canyon View Elementary

Mrs. Bogle is an incredibly hardworking and dedicated educator, laying the academic and social foundation for our youngest learners. With 16 years of teaching kindergarten through 2nd grade, she has spent the last 6 years teaching kindergarten and leading her Collaborative Inquiry Team (CIT) at Canyon View. She loves how much learning happens through play, the fast pace of the classroom, and the boundless enthusiasm her students bring each day to kindergarten. Every day in her classroom is joyful and fun!

Dr. Mary Florek — Sunrise Drive Elementary

With over a decade of dedicated service at Sunrise Drive, Dr. Florek continues to inspire students through her current work teaching gifted education for grades 3–5. Her recognition reflects the core values of excellence, leadership, and empowerment she brings to her classroom every day. She has over 40 years of experience in education and 20 of those were spent in administration.

Anita McGuire — Esperero Canyon Middle School

Mrs. McGuire teaches Special Education for grades 6–8 at Esperero Canyon, supporting CFSD students with individualized instruction and advocacy. She is a creative teacher who meets students where they are and constantly focuses on their growth. Her positivity and leadership help all teachers support a variety of learners in the classroom. She was also just recognized for 20 years of service with CFSD!

Noah Mickey-Colman — Ventana Vista Elementary School

Mr. Mickey-Colman serves and the STEM Integration Specialist at Ventana Vista. Now in his 19th year teaching, he helps students take the concepts they learn in Robotics class and apply them to the real world through creativity and problem-solving, giving students hands-on context for why they're learning what they're learning. Beyond the classroom, he's coached award-winning First LEGO League teams, launched initiatives like youth Audubon Clubs, school gardens, and Earth clubs, and served on CFSD committees supporting curriculum and student achievement.

Congratulations, Amanda, Mary, Anita, and Noah!

All twelve finalists will be honored at Tucson Values Teachers' annual Stand Up 4 Teachers 2026 celebration on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at Tucson Convention Center. This event honors exceptional PreK-12 educators across Pima County. Winners of the E.L.E.V.A.T.E. Award will be announced live at the celebration. Whatever happens on stage, these four educators are already Pima County's best and we couldn't be prouder.

None of this could happen without our amazing teachers and the incredible community that supports them!

Learn more at tucsonvaluesteachers.org.