Conference welcomes state and national teachers of the year

Northern Arizona University’s College of Education is celebrating the 11th year of the There’s a Reason I’m a Teacher Conference with hundreds of teachers and students from across Arizona arriving in Flagstaff this week to hear renowned speakers and share best practices.

The all-day conference will be held Thursday, April 5, in Ashurst Auditorium and will include sessions on rural education, utilizing technology in the classroom and motivating students.

Among the featured speakers will be Michelle Shearer, a chemistry teacher at Urbana High School in Maryland who selected as the 2011 National Teacher of the Year, Kristie Martorelli, a reading interventionist at Thompson Ranch Elementary School in El Mirage selected as the 2012 Arizona Teacher of the Year, and Shaun Martin, a physical education teacher and cross country team coach at Chinle High School selected as the 2011 Rural Teacher of the Year.

Organizers are asking individuals to bring a new or gently used children’s book to donate. The program and schedule are available online.