Arizona English Learner Teacher of the Year

During the annual conference, the Arizona Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS) recognizes, honors, and celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of English learner (EL) educators throughout the state of Arizona. The top honor of the Arizona EL Teacher of the Year award highlights and validates the consistent dedication to the success of English learners.

2025 Arizona English Learner Teacher of the Year

Erin Heath, 5th-grade teacher | Balsz Elementary School District

Erin has been a teacher in the Balsz Elementary School District for a number of years. When she was asked about the rewards and challenges of her teaching experiences with English learners, she shared: “When I began teaching sixteen years ago, I did not anticipate that I would find my home in English Language education. Yet over time, through the relationships I formed with students and their families, and through my growing appreciation for the beauty of language acquisition, I discovered a profound purpose in this work. English Learners have taught me more about resilience, curiosity, and identity than I ever imagined possible.”