Gila Ridge teacher named Yuma County High School Teacher of the Year

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) says Gila Ridge High School teacher Greg Brown has been named Yuma County's 2026 High School Teacher of the Year.

Brown, according to YUHSD, teaches science and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), and coaches tennis and swim.

"Winning this award was a great recognition of the hard work that goes on our campus," Brown said. "Though it may be an individual award, it reflects on the staff at Gila Ridge and all they do to help educators like myself be the best I can be every day. I am one of many on the campus and throughout the district that could have received this award, and I hope I can continue to motivate colleagues and students as we push education forward in the coming years."

YUHSD says Brown has been working for the district for 14 years, and says he is the first teacher at the school to win the award since 2018.

"Greg builds capacity in students, colleagues, and our school systems that support learning and postsecondary readiness," Gila Ridge Principal Kathy Hoover said. "His influence is consistent and generous. He insists that every Hawk gets the opportunity and support to chase their dream. That combination of service and vision is why he was chosen for this award. It is an honor for me to collaborate with him at Gila Ridge High School."

The Yuma County Teacher of the Year awards are annually hosted by the Education Foundation of Yuma County, which YUHSD says is "a private, non-profit organization established to support and recognize the profession of teaching and raise public awareness of the importance and value of education."