After teaching for ten years in the Tempe Union High School District, Anna Rodriguez received the Teacher of the Year award on January 30, 2015.

Rodriguez has only been teaching at Desert Vista High School for one year. For the other nine years, Rodriguez taught at Marcos de Niza High School.

An interesting fact about Rodriguez is that she teaches kids with various disabilities. She works kids who take a little longer to understand concepts than other students, from “students with learning disabilities to students with emotional needs,” said Rodriguez.

Earlier this year, when she was given the award, Rodriguez was going against two other teachers at Desert Vista High School and ended up winning.

“I felt really honored and a lot of gratitude knowing that there have been teachers here for a longer time. I would say I felt grateful,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez really cares and appreciates the work she does and the students she works with.

“I really do love what I do because I struggled myself,” said Rodriguez.

Even though Rodriguez adores what she does, she is hoping to get her degree in administration and become an administrator.

“Preferably an athletic director,” said Rodriguez.

Knowing her limits and what she is capable of, she most definitely believes that she is capable of winning another award for her work.

“I believe the sky is the limit!” said Rodriguez.