Pinal Today

Three Casa Grande area teachers recently were honored in the annual Yost Realty Community Choice Teacher of the Year competition.

Alicia Martinez of Cactus Middle School won $1,000 as the first-place winner, according to Pinal Central. Kaela Jackman, a first-year kindergarten teacher at Grande Innovation Academy, and Shirleene Minnick, of Legacy Traditional School, tied for second place and each won $400.

“It’s such a fun thing we do every year, and I feel like this year was very challenging for teachers,” Melissa Yost Fuentes, an associate broker who oversees the competition, told Pinal Central. “They’re all still adapting to COVID and changing expectations from parents. It really isn’t an easy job to begin with.”

This is the fifth year the competition has occurred, Pinal Central reported. Teachers are nominated by area residents via the competition’s website. Voting is also done online.

“We had nearly 1,400 votes in total — our best year yet,” Yost Fuentes said. “We also gave away our highest prizes yet, but I am so proud to be able to honor these incredible educators in our community. They are shaping the future of our community every day.”