Nominate an Educator for Chicanos Por La Causa’s Esperanza Teacher Awards

Teachers, school colleagues, principals from accredited education institution encouraged to nominate eligible educators

Phoenix —Chicanos Por La Causa’s 2026 Esperanza Teachers Awards are now accepting nominations to recognize four Arizona educators who make a lasting impact on their students and communities. Honorees will be selected by a panel of educators and community leaders based on classroom impact, professional leadership, community involvement, and personal growth.

Each honoree will receive a $5,000 cash award and a stipend of $2,500 to their respective schools.

“Teaching requires not only skill, but extraordinary dedication and heart,” said Alicia Nunez, President and CEO of CPLC. “The educators we honor through the Esperanza Teacher Awards lead with purpose, advocate for their students, and help shape confident, capable young leaders.”

Established in 1998, the Esperanza Teacher Awards were created to highlight educators whose dedication goes beyond the classroom. “Esperanza,” means hope and reflects the role teachers play in shaping the next generation.

“Receiving the Esperanza Award from CPLC was more than recognition. It was a reminder that the work we do for our classrooms truly matters,” said Diane Hernandez, a 2025 Esperanza Teacher Awards recipient. “This award means the world to me and affirms the impact educators do have on students.” 

The nomination is open to all Arizona educators who meet eligibility requirements. Nominees must be a full-time teacher, fully certified teacher, and must teach at a state-approved or accredited school in Arizona or a school operating under the Bureau of Indian Education to be eligible. Additional criteria include:

• Spend the majority (over 50%) of their teaching assignment in direct instruction to students.
• Teach any grade Pre-K-12th (or combination) in Arizona. Teachers may work in any content area, including Special Education, P.E., the Arts, etc.
• Have completed at least six (6) full years as a fully-certified classroom teacher at the time the application is submitted, with the most recent three years in Arizona. Note: Years of student teaching or apprenticeship do not count toward this requirement.
• Be a full-time teacher and plan to continue in an active teaching status through the 2025-2026 school year.

Nominations from across the state are due on Thursday, March 26^th, 2026, by 5:00 PM. Applications may be downloaded at cplc.org and submitted via email to cathy.keppel@CPLC.org or mailed to:

Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.

Attn: Cathy Keppel

1112 E. Buckeye Road

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Fax (602) 256-2740

For more than 26 years, CPLC has celebrated hundreds of outstanding educators. The Esperanza Awards are presented by SRP.