Elizabeth Purtell, eighth-grade civics teacher from Heritage Academy in Mesa, is one of 10 finalists for a prestigious award.
Purtell was named a finalist for the Bill of Rights Institute’s National Civics Teacher of the Year Award for the 2025-26 school year.
The Bill of Rights Institute is a nonprofit that aims to advance history and civics education. The 10 finalists all earned a $1,000 prize for their nomination, with an additional $5,000 going to the winner who will be announced in September.
Purtell said that she is ecstatic about the nomination, and hopes that her recognition will have a positive impact on her students to do important work in their community.
“It’s gratifying because I feel so strongly and passionate about civics,” Purtell said. “I’m just a little teacher in Mesa, Arizona, teaching my eighth graders, but I’m hoping there’s a ripple effect that they come out of my class knowing that they should be active and take part in their community.”
Purtell said that in the year 2025, civics education is more important than ever. She believes that knowing your rights and what the constitution provides for you is essential to prevent those rights from being taken away.
“Governments can lead towards tyranny. If we don’t recognize what’s being protected for us, then we can see those rights being infringed upon,” Purtell said. “But if we can be aware of what rights we have and, then we are more likely to be vocal about protecting them and protecting tyranny from taking too much root.”
Purtell said a lack of a good civics education can result in apathy for young voters, which does not help democracy function.
If people are politically apathetic, according to Purtell, they may be more likely to not exercise their right to vote.
“One of the biggest threats to a democracy is apathy,” Purtell said. “So if they don’t understand that, and they get bored or think their vote doesn’t matter, then we’re looking towards harming and weakening the democracy that we already have.”
Purtell is happy to be recognized and feels motivated to continue teaching civics to the youth of Mesa.
“It gives more motivation to continue with this passion, and keep having the enthusiasm for civics,” Purtell said. “Hopefully other people recognize that we need to step back and think about how other countries know a lot about their governments. But unfortunately, ours, we do not as much. So I think it is important.”
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