Let's celebrate all our 2026 Teachers of Distinction! 
Join us at the 2026 #ARSAcon to see the live announcement of the AZ Rural Teacher of the Year! Patricia Cossey grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Media with a minor in Advertising from Northern Arizona University, followed by a Master of Education from the University of Phoenix. She has been married for 22 years and is the proud mother of three children and grandmother of one grandchild. During her 21-year teaching career, she has taught in both charter and public schools, working with students in grades 1–4. For the past four years, she has been honored to teach in Seligman, where she has also served as a mentor teacher and coached volleyball and cheer. Outside the classroom, Patricia enjoys spending time with her family, watching Arizona sunsets, and caring for the animals on her small farm. These experiences have shaped the values of hard work, service, and community that she brings to her students every day.