Special Education teacher Tiffani Jaseph has been named Arizona’s 2025 State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Arizona Educational Foundation
It is always my pleasure to share the story of an outstanding educator who has earned accolades for their work in American public schools. Today I share the story of Tiffani Jaseph, an elementary teacher from Arizona. She has been named her state’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.
Tiffani currently teaches Special Education to students in grades K-5 at Copper View Elementary School located in Sahuarita, Arizona. There she develops accommodations for students with higher support needs. She is committed to ensuring that her classroom is accessible for both academic and social-emotional development. To achieve this, Tiffani emphasizes inclusive, strengths-based instruction tailored to meet diverse learning styles.Prior to working at Copper View, Tiffani taught In Yuma, Arizona. There she provided Special Education interventions for students from kindergarten through sixth grade. She also worked in the Sunnyside Unified School District, where she taught in an extended-day Special Education program for fourth and fifth graders. In that position, she provided specially-designed instruction while supporting students’ needs in the general education environment. In all, Tiffani’s career as an educator spans 15 years.
In addition to her work as a teacher, Tiffani has helped her school develop a partnership with the University of Arizona Adaptive Sports program. Through this partnership, students can participate in a weeklong physical education clinic. Through this program, students can become engaged in adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball. Tiffani has also established a Running Club on her campus.
Her designation as Arizona’s State Teacher of the Year is not the only honor Tiffani has earned. She was named Teacher of the Year in both the Yuma and Sahuarita districts, and she was a finalist for Sahuarita District Teacher of the Year.
Tiffani earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2005 and her Master’s degree in Special Education in 2009, both from the University of Arizona.
