CBS 5 - KPHO AZ teacher of the year honored

AZ teacher of the year honored

It takes a special person to be a teacher, but it takes an exceptional individual to be nominated for Arizona's Educational Foundation Teacher of the Year.

On Thursday the 2012 finalists were recognized and the winner of the state's top educator was announced. Kristie Martorelli won the top honor.

"I am humbled by this honor. You see the amazing ambassadors and finalists that are here. I work with phenomenal teachers and I see them throughout our state so I am very honored to be able to represent them," Martorelli said.

Martorelli is a reading interventionist teacher at Thompson Ranch Elementary School in El Mirage.

She works mostly with children in kindergarten through third grade.

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