It's official! Darcey Wimer, a 6th-grade teacher at Palominas Elementary School in Bisbee, AZ, was selected as Arizona AFA Teacher of the Year.

This year's competition was really close between Ms. Wimer, Cochise Chapter's Teacher of the Year, and Jim Clark, Frank Luke Chapter's selectee. Mr. Clark, who teaches AP Physics, AP Calculus, and Engineering 102 for 12th-grade students at Hamilton HS in Chandler, had overcome six other area candidates for the Luke Chapter honor.

Unfortunately, neither Tucson Chapter nor Prescott-Goldwater Chapter submitted a candidate. Tucson has a couple of educators in mind for next year, and last year's State winner from Prescott was nominated this year for AFA National Teacher of the Year.

Hopefully, Ms. Wimer will be able to join us June 5 at the Southwest Region conference in Las Vegas. Among other items, she receives $500 as State winner and $250 as her chapter's selectee.

The host Nevada chapter has worked hard to provide an interesting agenda, and I am looking forward to being there. Traditionally, the three states in SWR take turns hosting this event. Arizona's turn comes up in June 2011.

At our quarterly State meeting in the afternoon, our Executive Committee will elect State officers for the coming year. Our agenda includes discussion of the amended State constitution and a proposal for a Congressional breakfast during the 2010 AFA convention in September. We will report the results next week.

As usual, I solicit your comments and suggestions. Please call or email me.