Pima County Educators Win 2026 E.L.E.V.A.T.E. Awards
Four teachers across grade levels were recognized at the annual Stand Up 4 Teachers celebration in Tucson.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Four Pima County educators were named the 2026 E.L.E.V.A.T.E. Award winners during the Stand Up 4 Teachers celebration held Thursday night at the Tucson Convention Center's Leo Rich Theater. Each winner receives a $2,500 personal award, and each winner's school receives an additional $2,500 gift.
Why it matters
The awards recognize educators at every grade level and direct funding to both the individual teachers and their schools. The event was hosted by Tucson Values Teachers and presented by Tucson Electric Power.
Each of the four winners receives a $2,500 personal award, and each winner's school receives a separate $2,500 gift. The source does not report the total nominee pool or how many applications were considered.
The players
Tucson Values Teachers
Tucson Values Teachers is the organization that hosted the Stand Up 4 Teachers celebration.
Tucson Electric Power
Tucson Electric Power is the utility company that presented the celebration.
The details
Winners were selected in four categories corresponding to grade levels: Early Education, Intermediate Elementary, Middle School, and High School. The celebration brought educators and community members together at the Tucson Convention Center.
Timeline
Thursday night: Stand Up 4 Teachers celebration held at the Tucson Convention Center, with awards presented.
Season Trajectory
The 2026 E.L.E.V.A.T.E. Awards continue the annual recognition of Pima County educators under the program's established four-category structure. The awards add to a recurring local tradition of honoring teachers at each grade level.
Tucson-area families with students at the winning schools may see the $2,500 school gift used for classroom resources. The award recognizes educators across elementary, middle, and high school levels in the Pima County region.
The takeaway
Recognition programs like the E.L.E.V.A.T.E. Awards pair individual honors with school funding, which can extend the impact of an award beyond the teacher who receives it. Readers interested in local education can follow Secondary Education coverage for Tucson.
Further reading
For more on local school coverage, explore Secondary Education in Tucson.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KVOA.
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