The annual Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) Awards of Excellence celebrate outstanding educators and staff members who have shown dedication to serving both students and the community. The QCUSD Awards of Excellence honor individuals who achieve excellence, lead with integrity, and empower others around them. These individuals also embody the core expectations of QCUSD: Be Kind. Be Respectful. Show Integrity. Each year, school and district staff members have the opportunity to anonymously nominate their peers for this award. Following the nominations, a committee carefully selects two winners from each school to receive the Awards of Excellence.
This year, we proudly acknowledged 31 teachers and staff members for their contributions to QCUSD.
2025–2026 School Year Award-Winners:
School
Desert Mountain Elementary
Desert Mountain Elementary
Faith Mather Sossaman Elem.
Faith Mather Sossaman Elem.
Frances Brandon-Pickett Elem.
Frances Brandon-Pickett Elem.
Gateway Polytechnic Academy
Gateway Polytechnic Academy
Jack Barnes Elementary
Jack Barnes Elementary
Katherine Mecham Barney
Katherine Mecham Barney
Mountain Trail Academy
Mountain Trail Academy
Queen Creek Elementary
Queen Creek Elementary
Schnepf Elementary
Schnepf Elementary
Silver Valley Elementary
Silver Valley Elementary
Newell Barney College Prep
Newell Barney College Prep
Queen Creek Junior High
Queen Creek Junior High
Crismon High School
Crismon High School
Eastmark High School
Eastmark High School
Queen Creek High School
Queen Creek High School
District Office
Award
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Educator of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Support Staff of the Year
Name
Paul Buday
Dorothy Sullivan
Danielle Casperson
Heather McMinn
Jennifer Waddington
Kelly Eadelman
Shelli Rauen
Marjorie Cowan
Annette Hathaway
Miriam Fernandez
Veronica Onofre
Amanda Rosepapa
Samantha Rainforth
Natalie Drake
Courtney Campbell
Genyi Ronayne
Hollie Lunt
Susan Klingenberg
Pia Murphy
Erica Hoh
Eric Pilon
Andrea Rowan-Millan
Rebecca Duncan
Alma Torres DeParra
Marty Edwards
Debra Palomo
Nic Lewis
Katie Brown
Taryn Whelan
Madeline Brewer
Arissa Walensky