News
Student praise highlights AWC’s 2026 Teachers of the Year
March 12, 2026Yuma, Ariz. (March 12, 2026) – Arizona Western College recently selected the 2026 Teachers of the Year recipients, recognizing two professors who were distinguished by their passion for teaching and commitment to student success. History & Sociology professor Dr. Monica Ketchum-Cárdenas won Full-Time Teacher of the Year, and Psychology professor Shara Skinner earned the Part-Time distinction.
The AWC Teacher of the Year nominees go through a thorough selection process involving a written portfolio, video interview, and letters of recommendation from students. They are then scored by a team of past Teacher of the Year awardees.
While the selection process is rigorous, it is student feedback that ultimately sets each candidate apart.
In letters of support, students described Dr. Ketchum-Cárdenas as a professor who brings history to life, pairing deep subject knowledge with a passion for teaching that builds confidence and prepares learners for success.
“I am currently pursuing my education with the goal of becoming a history teacher myself,” one of her students wrote, “and I hold Ketchum-Cárdenas as the standard I hope to reach one day. Her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to her students serve as a model for the kind of educator I want to become.”
“Being recognized as Teacher of the Year is an incredible honor, especially at an institution like Arizona Western College that puts students at the heart of everything we do,” Dr. Ketchum-Cárdenas shared. “Teaching and learning go hand-in-hand, and I am lucky to engage with such a diverse and inspiring student population, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Creating inclusive learning experiences, developing new history and sociology curricula, and supporting students as they navigate their educational journeys are what truly energize me on a daily basis.”
For Professor Skinner, her student-centered approach resonated most strongly with students. They consistently highlighted her kindness and empathy, describing a safe learning environment that encouraged engagement and participation.
“Professor Skinner has many great strengths,” a student shared, “but I believe her biggest one is her heart for her students, the way she cared for every individual, heard their struggles and concerns and worked with them so the class would not be something that was hard or uneasy, but something they could enjoy as they learned and grew as a student and as a person.”
“I am obsessed with being a teacher,” Professor Skinner said. “There is nothing that makes me happier and prouder than the moment when you teach something and you can physically see in a student's eyes that they are starting to understand a concept that is new and interesting to them. It is the ultimate reward in life.”
Through a partnership with the AWC Foundation, this year’s awardees will receive either the Frances Morris Endowed Faculty Achievement Award or the Shadle-Edgecombe Endowed Faculty Achievement Award for their dedication to their students. These awards are in addition to sponsored professional development conference travel and a designated parking spot on campus for the next academic year.
Last week, both professors were surprised in their classrooms when students and colleagues shared the news of their selection. They will be formally recognized alongside other local educators during the 39th Annual Education Foundation of Yuma County Teacher of the Year Banquet on April 30.
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Contact:
W. Ila Peterson
Professor of Mathematics; Director of Faculty Development
Arizona Western College
ila.peterson@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7587