Her name is Neomi’s medicine. She teaches mathematics at Crane Middle School. And she was selected as the teacher of the year in Yuma County in 2025.
“What a god, that’s amazing,” she said in an interview with KAWC. “I’ve been lost at the word at this point, but I’m grateful to God for what he’s done. It’s amazing to know that I can do what I love every day…it’s not just a job. It’s a call, and I thank God for letting me answer the phone.”
Hundreds of Yuma County education experts gathered at the Yuma Civic Center at the 38th Annual Teacher of the Year Banquet on Thursday night. Announced by the Yuma County Education Foundation and the Rotary Club of Uma, the event recognizes winners from various categories, but only one of the 12 finalists has won the Teacher of the Year title.
“The type of person who wins this event is someone who is an advocate for education,” shared Crane coach Laurie Dohring before the event began. “They are truly ambassadors of education in this great profession and represent all the great educators in Yuma County.”
During her speech, Pharmes shared a bit of her educational philosophy and noted that she loves building relationships.
“When I first got a child, I don’t try to teach them,” she said. “I want to know who you are. Show me I work with you, are you okay? Well, I really love them.”
When she was a student, love made the school a safe space, so that love is very important to her.
“I wanted to be like them because I had a teacher who loved me and let me know I could do anything I wanted to do up until now,” she said.
Her husband Zelek has proven the importance of love in her work.
“I’m very proud of her,” he said. “She is very resilient. She doesn’t give up. She loves what she does. She loves children. She loves relationships. She loves to make children, young people. That’s part of her calling.
Zelek added that Neomi’s passion and drive for lead and love is what he loves about her.
“I love her, that she loves people,” he said. “She loves people. She’s not black, not white, not Hispanic. Whoever is, it comes from God’s love through Christ Jesus. I’m very proud.
In addition to affection and connection with students, Neomi Pharmes had another piece of advice for all his peers.
“To all my fellow colleagues and educators in the room, whether things get difficult or not, you get up and do it again, and you get up, you get up, you get up, you do it again.”
The winners for the remaining categories are as follows:
Primary (3rd grade from Pre-K)
Desiree CookseyCW McGraw Elementary School (Yuma Elementary School District 1)
Intermediate/Special Area (4th to 6th grade)
Fauna BushunWelton Elementary School (Welton Elementary School District)
Junior high school/junior high school (6th to 8th grade)
Jillian EverhartRon Watson Junior High School (Yuma Elementary School District 1)
High school (9th to 12th grade)
Jonica FloresTibora High School (Uma Union High School District)
Perceptions of higher education
Amber OrtegaProfessor of Nursing at Arizona Western College
Margaret FencekeAdjunct Professor of Music at Arizona Western College
Dr. Jesse LandinAssistant Professor Yuma, Professor of Psychology, University of Northern Arizona
Dr. WendisenderUniversity of Northern Arizona Yuma, Strategic Leadership Program
Joined in Yuma County Education Hall of Fame 2025
Michael “Mike” WicksSpecial Achievement Award
Danny GarciaProfessional Educator Award
Olivia Elizondo ZepedaProfessional Educator Award
Yuma Rotary ClubA great organization that contributes to Yuma County
Dr. David Lott, Estelle Dingess Award
The report in this article is Arizona Local News Foundation.
