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 | Award | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Mountain Elementary | Educator of the Year | Paul Buday |
| Desert Mountain Elementary | Support Staff of the Year | Dorothy Sullivan |
| Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary | Educator of the Year | Danielle Caspersen |
| Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary | Support Staff of the Year | Heather McMinn |
| Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary | Educator of the Year | Jennifer Waddington |
| Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary | Support Staff of the Year | Kelly Eadelman |
| Gateway Polytechnic Academy | Educator of the Year | Shelli Rauen |
| Gateway Polytechnic Academy | Support Staff of the Year | Marjorie Cowan |
| Jack Barnes Elementary | Educator of the Year | Annette Hathaway |
| Jack Barnes Elementary | Support Staff of the Year | Miriam Fernandez |
| Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary | Educator of the Year | Veronica Onofre |
| Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary | Support Staff of the Year | Amanda Rosepapa |
| Mountain Trail Academy | Educator of the Year | Samantha Rainforth |
| Mountain Trail Academy | Support Staff of the Year | Natalie Drake |
| Queen Creek Elementary | Educator of the Year | Courtney Campbell |
| Queen Creek Elementary | Support Staff of the Year | Genyi Ronayne |
| Schnepf Elementary | Educator of the Year | Hollie Lunt |
| Schnepf Elementary | Support Staff of the Year | Susan Klingenberg |
| Silver Valley Elementary | Educator of the Year | Pia Murphy |
| Silver Valley Elementary | Support Staff of the Year | Erica Hoh |
| Newell Barney College Prep | Educator of the Year | Eric Pilon |
| Newell Barney College Prep | Support Staff of the Year | Andrea Rowan-Millan |
| Queen Creek Junior High | Educator of the Year | Rebecca Duncan |
| Queen Creek Junior High | Support Staff of the Year | Alma Torres DeParra |
| Crismon High School | Educator of the Year | Marty Edwards |
| Crismon High School | Support Staff of the Year | Debra Palomo |
| Eastmark High School | Educator of the Year | Nic Lewis |
| Eastmark High School | Support Staff of the Year | Katie Brown |
| Queen Creek High School | Educator of the Year | Taryn Whelan |
| Queen Creek High School | Support Staff of the Year | Madeline Brewer |
| District Office | Support Staff of the Year | Arissa Walensky |