Chandler teacher among finalists for state award

A Chandler Unified teacher is among the five finalists for the Arizona Educational Foundation’s Teacher of the Year award, to be announced Oct. 18.

Angelica Abbey, a sixth-grade teacher at Frye Elementary School in Chandler, is among those five educators, according to a news release.

Fifteen Arizona educators —10 semifinalists and five honorable-mention selectees — made a list released in July for the award, hosted by Arizona Educational Foundation and presented by Desert Financial Credit Union.

One of the finalists will be crowned the 2026 Arizona Teacher of the Year at the Oct. 18 red-carpet event at the Madison Center for the Arts in Phoenix — and will go on to represent Arizona in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

The program celebrates excellence in public education. There were 200 nominations statewide this year.

Abbey is no stranger to recognition from outside the district. She was one of 20 in this year’s Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s Sunshine for Teachers contest for spreading joy; a CUSD Educator of the Year, as chosen by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, and in 2023, she earned a trip to experience Disney educational events and celebrations.

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