AALL Annual Awards Description and Criteria
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for the 2025 AALL Fall Awards!
Nominations are now closed, and we’re thrilled by the number of inspiring entries we received.
We will be contacting the winners soon—stay tuned for the official announcement!
And don’t forget, the 2026 AALL Spring Awards are just around the corner. More details to come!
Fall Awards Categories
ABE Student of the Year Award
This award honors an ABE/HSE student.The nominee has been an active student during the current calendar year, demonstrated persistence and leadership, and contributed to the field of Adult Education.
ESOL Student of the Year Award
This award honors an ELAA, or citizenship student. The nominee has been an active student during the current calendar year, demonstrated persistence and leadership, and contributed to the field of Adult Education.
AALL Educator of the Year Award
This award honors an educator who has four or more years of active service in the field of Adult Education, as either a full time or part time instructor. The nominee has displayed leadership, demonstrated professional excellence, and has contributed to the field of lifelong learning.
AALL Rookie of the
Year Award
This award honors a new educator who has one to three years of active service in the field of Adult Education. The nominee has displayed leadership, demonstrated professional excellence, and has contributed to the field of lifelong learning.
AALL Support Staff of the Year Award
This award honors an employee who serves in any of the following capacities: clerical, classroom/lab aide, GED examiner, administrative assistant, support technician, student services. The nominee has contributed significantly to improving services for students. The nominee can be a full time or part time employee.
AALL Volunteer of the Year Award
This award honors a volunteer who has contributed his/her time to serving a program in any of the following capacities: clerical, classroom/lab aide, advisory board, leader, educator.
Spring Awards Categories
Award of Excellence in Honor of
Gary P. Tang
This award honors an individual or group who has assisted a program or the Adult Education Division of the Arizona Department of Education in areas such as administration, ideology, instruction, legislation, public leadership, innovative services or initiating cooperative inter-agency activity. The nominee has contributed to the field of Adult Education.
Lifelong Learning Advocate Award in Honor of Francis E. Blake
This award honors an AALL member who has given a minimum of 5 years contribution to the field of Adult Education and has positively impacted or added value to the concept of learning as a lifelong process. The nominee has served the field and colleagues in diverse ways and has demonstrated professional excellence in this arena.
Lifetime Achievement Award in Honor of
Gary A. Eyre
This award honors an individual who has served to foster the concept of lifelong learning for a minimum of 10 years and who has made far-reaching contributions to the field of lifelong learning at a local, state, national or international level. The individual’s accomplishments have had or will have an impact on the future of the field of lifelong learning. This individual is held in high regard by his/her peers.
AALL Champion of the Year Award
Awarded to the person or entity outside of adult education who/which has championed adult learners and adult programs in Arizona.
HSE Student of the Year - Workforce Development
TBD
ESOL Student of the Year - Workforce Development
TBD
2024 AALL Annual Awards Winners
Award of Excellence in Honor of
Gary P. Tang
CSI Department
Pima Community College
Lifetime Achievement Award in Honor of
Gary A. Eyre
Mary Jo Chmielewiski
Pima Community College
AALL Educator of the Year Award
Jenni Ryan
Pima Community College
AALL Volunteer of the Year Award
Janet Sellwood
Pima Community College
ESOL Student of the Year Award
Margarita Uribe
Coconino Community College
Lifelong Learning Advocate Award in Honor of Francis E. Blake
Katy Brown
Pima Community College - AALL Board Member
AALL Rookie of the
Year Award
Alexander Greegaard
Pima Community College
AALL Support Staff of the Year Award
Kayla Rodriguez
Pima Community College
ABE Student of the Year Award
Amber Owens
Pima Community College