By JAMAR YOUNGER Three Tucson-area teachers have been selected as finalists for 2009 Arizona Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Educational Foundation.

By Craig Troianello By Andrea Paris Ellensburg Daily Record ELLENSBURG -- Science. Stale, stodgy, dull? Not for the students in Amber Farthing's class.

On Saturday, Educational Testing Service (ETS) concluded a three-day National Teacher Forum at its Princeton Campus. Held in cooperation with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the forum is part of a year-long professional development series for national Teachers of the Year.

By Theresa Harrington CONCORD -- A music teacher at Bristow Middle School in Brentwood is the 2008-09 "Teacher of the Year" in Contra Costa County. Mark Morello, who leads the school's band and choir, will go on to compete for the coveted state teacher title.

Five local educators selected from a field of 43 nominees were named San Diego County Teachers of the Year during the 18th annual "Cox Presents: A Salute to Teachers brought to you by Ashford University" in cooperation with the San Diego County Office of Education.