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Yuma School District ONE

One Community Pursuing Excellence

Awards & Achievements

2026 Awards & Achievements

Portrait of Hannah Martinez, 2026 Yuma County Teacher of the Year from Palmcroft Elementary.

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District One is proud to celebrate Palmcroft Elementary School teacher, Hannah Martinez, for being named this year’s Yuma County Teacher of the Year. After a competitive process along with incredible educators throughout Yuma County, Mrs. Martinez was awarded this prestigious title at the 2026 Teacher of the Year Banquet, hosted by the Education Foundation of Yuma County.

2026 Primary Category Winner: Teachers of the Year
Congratulations to Claudia Alvarez from C.W. McGraw Elementary School for her outstanding dedication.

2026 Intermediate/Special Area Category Winner: Teachers of the Year
Congratulations to Teresa Teeter from Alice Byrne Elementary School on this incredible accomplishment.

2026 Jr. High Category Winner: Teachers of the Year
Congratulations to Jonathan Bailey from Gila Vista Jr. High School for the inspiration he brings to his classroom every day.

 

Portrait of Claudia Alvarez, winner of the 2023 Primary Category Teacher of the Year award.Teresa Teeter, Intermediate/Special Area Category Winner for Teacher of the Year 2020.Jonathan Bailey, smiling, is recognized as the 2020 Junior High Category Winner for Teacher of the Year.

2025 Awards & Achievements

  • McGraw Elementary 1st Grade Published Authors showcase two colorful books: 'Little Stories BIG Lessons' and 'Magic in every lesson'.

     

    Third graders at McGraw Elementary School recently became published authors, thanks to the creative guidance of their teachers, Valeria Andrade and Irasema Becerra.

  • A young person in a blue hoodie holds a certificate for winning 2nd place in the Yuma County Spelling Bee.

    For the second consecutive year, Fourth Avenue Jr. High claims the second place title at the annual Yuma County Spelling Bee. Congratulations to Jacius Skinner, eighth grader at Fourth Avenue, for placing second in Yuma County!

  • Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting recipient FY2024.

    District One celebrates excellence in financial accounting with an award from ASBO.

  • A graphic with the word 'Congratulations' in cursive, featuring a school logo and multiple smaller circular logos below.

    We are proud to celebrate our District One schools that have officially been designated as Purple Star Schools!

    • C.W. McGraw
    • Desert Mesa
    • Dorothy Hall
    • Gila Vista Jr. High
    • James B. Rolle
    • James D. Price
    • Mary A. Otondo
    • Palmcroft
    • Ron Watson
    • Sunrise
    • Woodard Jr. High

    This prestigious recognition is awarded to schools that go above and beyond to support the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.

  • Students and adults pose for photos with certificates, celebrating perfect scores on the 24-25 AASA test.

    Thirty-seven students, representing 13 schools, achieved a perfect score on the AASA test for the 2024–2025 school year. Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) is Arizona’s statewide achievement test given to students in grades third through eighth. Congratulations on this achievement.

  • Image with text: 'Outstanding! Exceptional Students OUTPERFORMED the State Average.' Features students working at tables.

    District One students outperformed the Arizona state average on the 2025 Multi-State Alternative Assessment (MSAA) for students with special needs, achieving higher scale scores and proficiency levels than their peers statewide.

  • Congratulations to James Sheldahl, District One Superintendent, named District Leader of the Year and AVID Global Achievement Award finalist.

    We are proud to celebrate that District One Superintendent, James Sheldahl, was selected as a finalist for District Leader of the Year for the 2025 AVID Global Achievement Awards. This prestigious honor places Mr. Sheldahl among the top four nominees in this category, nationwide!

  • A group of educators stands proudly in front of R. Pete Woodard Junior High School, holding two AVID National Demonstration School banners.

    Woodard Jr. High holds on to their title, since 2012, as the only AVID National Demonstration School in Yuma! This title demonstrates Woodard’s outstanding model of AVID strategies to prepare all students for college and career readiness.

  • Two women, Gillian Eberhart and Desiree Cooksey, are honored as Teachers of the Year in their respective categories.

    This year, two outstanding District One teachers were celebrated at the annual Yuma County Teacher of the Year Banquet. For the Middle School Category, we congratulate Gillian Eberhart from Ron Watson Middle School. For the Primary Grade Category we congratulate Desiree Cooksey from C.W. McGraw Elementary School.

  • Five adults stand in front of a colorful bulletin board with the text 'Military children bloom where they're planted'.

    For the first time ever in Yuma County, the Arizona Department of Education presented a Certificate of Appreciation to a 5th grade student from Desert Mesa Elementary School. This student was recognized for her heartfelt letter to ADE, where she shared the incredible impact of the Purple Star Program at Desert Mesa, which helps welcome and support military-connected students as they transition into the school community.

  • Students perform a dance routine on a wooden stage under purple and pink lights at Castle Dome Middle School.

    Led by Mrs. Florey, Castle Dome Middle School’s dance program was awarded the 2025 K–12 Dance Program of Excellence Award by the Arizona Dance Education Organization (AzDEO). According to AzDEO, “These teachers and programs represent the best of Arizona dance education.”

2024 Awards & Achievements

  • A smiling woman holds a framed certificate with a colorful graphic and text.


    Sandra Carbajal was honored with an award of appreciation by the Arizona Department of Education Purple Star Coordinator for her outstanding support and dedication to our Purple Star Schools in Yuma School District One.

  • Three young students proudly hold certificates, standing next to a man in a veteran's cap.

    Every year our district encourages students to enter the VFW-sponsored youth Patriot’s Pen essay contest where students submit an essay about a patriotic theme. This year, all winners were Castle Dome Middle School students!

  • A group of people and a tiger mascot pose with a large check for Five Thousand dollars.

    Roosevelt School is honored to receive a $5000 donation from Burlington Stores and AdoptAClassroom.org to purchase classroom supplies for students.

  • A group of seven young people in matching black outfits stand with certificates and a rose.

    The NHSDA welcomed the first junior chapter inductees to represent Yuma and Castle Dome Middle School. These six students join a nation-wide group of dedicated dancers, ranging from middle-school through collegiate level.

  • A group of people stand behind large, illuminated marquee letters spelling "STATE", with balloons on either side.

    The Ron Watson Cheer Team placed second in this year’s state competition! Great job, Wolves!

  • Two young people proudly hold awards at an event, smiling at the camera.

    Congratulations to Dorothy Hall Elementary School’s Natalie Pinkerton and Castle Dome Middle School’s Catherine McCoy for taking home first and second place respectively at the 2024 Yuma County spelling bee.

  • A young woman with dark curly hair and glasses smiles, holding a trophy in front of a large heart decorated with colorful smaller hearts.

    Amanda Salasibarra was recognized by the National Center for Families Learning for building a comprehensive, supportive program for District One families.

  • Three individuals stand proudly holding certificates in front of a "FAJH FALCON PD" sign.

    1st Place – 8th Grade
    Jaime Chavoya, Fourth Avenue

    1st Place – 7th Grade
    Anadenya Aguirre, Castle Dome

2023 Awards & Achievements

  • Certificates of Achievement for the 2023-2024 School Year, featuring awards for James D. Price and others.

  • A group of people stand together outdoors, posing for a photo in front of a building.

    Eighteen-year Kindergarten teacher at Sunrise Elementary School, Aneli Obregon, is the proud recipient of the Arizona English Language (EL) Teacher of the Year Award, presented by the Arizona Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition Services (OELAS).

  • Two smiling girls hold "WAY TO GO!" certificates, celebrating their Yuma County Contest wins.

    Two Sunrise Elementary School students were winners of the September Essay Contest by the Yuma County Superintendent’s Office. Their winning 250 word essays were about why someone should attend Sunrise School.

  • Two certificates of achievement are displayed, one for Financial Reporting and another for Certificate of Excellence.

    District One celebrates 32 years of excellence in financial accounting with an award from GFOA and ASBO

  • A smiling young girl in a yellow dress and crown stands next to a whiteboard with math equations and student artwork.

    Twenty-three students achieved a perfect score on the AASA Math test for the 2023-24 school year.  Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) is Arizona’s statewide achievement test given to students in grades 3rd-8th.  Congratulations on this achievement.

  • A smiling man in a suit and tie holds a glass award, standing in front of a backdrop with logos.

    Luciano Munoz, HR Director, Yuma School District One

  • Two award certificates are displayed side-by-side: one for 'Certificate of Achievement Financial Reporting 31 Years' and another for 'Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting 2022'.

  • Two smiling young men proudly hold framed certificates, wearing leis.

    Woodard Jr. High School

  • Two people stand in front of a yellow school bus, holding a large check.

    Yuma Schools Transportation

  • A group of young basketball players in blue uniforms pose for a photo with a trophy, celebrating a victory.

    Castle Dome Middle School

  • Two photos showcase 6th-grade sports teams: girls soccer and boys basketball, both celebrating first place.

    Woodard Junior High School

  • A group of students and adults stand together on a soccer field, holding a yellow banner.

    Otondo Elementary School

  • A group of people cheer behind large metallic letters spelling 'STATE', holding a 'GAME DAY' sign.

    Ron Watson Middle School

  • Collage of people and text announcing 'Meet the Awardees' for Arizona Transportation Modernization Grants.

  • Two young girls proudly hold up their certificates at an awards ceremony.

    Palmcroft Elementary School

  • A young person smiles proudly while holding a certificate of achievement.

    Castle Dome Middle School

  • Image celebrating 35 students achieving perfect scores on the 21-22 AASA Test, with text overlay.

    Yuma School District One

2022 Awards & Achievements

  • A smiling teacher and two young children engage with a colorful learning toy at a table in a classroom.

    Preschoolers at OC Johnson have consistently outperformed statewide averages, according to Read On Arizona.

  • Image celebrating 35 students achieving perfect scores on the 21-22 AASA Test, with text overlay.

    24 students earned perfect scores on the 22–23 AAS

  • A certificate from AVID Center recognizing Roosevelt Elementary School for the 2022-2023 academic year.

    Roosevelt Elementary School

  • Certificate of Achievement for the 2021-2022 School Year with two lists of school names.

    Yuma School District One

  • Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, 30 Years award.

    Yuma School District One

  • A smiling woman in a red shirt, identified as the 2022 Teacher of the Year.

    Tricia Severs
    Alice Byrne Elementary

  • A group of six young people stand proudly around a large trophy, with text overlay reading 'STATE CHAMPIONS Headed to World Competition'.

    Ron Watson Middle School

  • Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting awarded to Yuma Elementary School District No. 1 by ASBO International.

    District One

  • A young person with braces smiles, wearing a grey hoodie with 'IVORY' printed on it.

    Devin Diaz
    Woodard Jr. High School

2021 Awards & Achievements

  • A youth softball team poses for a team photo on a dirt field, wearing matching blue and white uniforms.

    Castle Dome Middle School

  • Two young girls proudly hold awards, standing with three adults in a classroom setting.

    Palmcroft Elementary School

  • A man in a suit and red shirt holds a crystal award in front of a movie theater screen.

    Samuel Guerrero – Music Teacher
    Castle Dome Middle School

  • A smiling man in a black shirt and red tie stands in a classroom.

    Woodard Jr. High School

  • Logo for Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools with a graphic of people in a circle.

    Otondo Elementary School