Teaching that transforms: ASU Prep’s 2025 Teacher of the Year finalists

At ASU Prep Polytechnic High School, geometry teacher and Transformational Teacher Leader (TTL) David Delikat is known for making learning meaningful, memorable and fun. A proud ASU graduate, David joined ASU Prep right after earning his bachelor’s degree, drawn to the school’s mission of providing students with unique learning opportunities. 

“ASU’s mission really resonated with my purpose as an educator and influenced me to join the staff compared to other opportunities I had at the time,” he explains.

For David, being an educator at ASU Prep is about creating the best possible environment for students to thrive. 

“Through our connections to the university, the resources we have access to and the unique community of students we serve, we have an incredible opportunity to shape educational experiences and pathways in meaningful ways,” he says.

That philosophy shows up in his classroom every day. David’s approach is simple: design lessons he would have wanted as a student himself. 

“If I find something engaging and enjoyable, I can usually present it in a way that gets students excited and willing to buy in,” he shares. 

His favorite example is a project from his area and volume unit, where students design sculptures and calculate both the area and volume of their creations. By blending math with art, he encourages students to step outside their comfort zones, collaborate and celebrate each other’s creativity. 

This past year has been full of milestones for David. He was promoted to TTL, accepted into ASU’s doctoral program in Leadership and Innovation as part of the ASU Prep cohort and named a finalist for Teacher of the Year. 

“Thinking back on everything, it’s insane how much has happened in such a short amount of time,” he says. “I’m deeply thankful for the opportunities and growth this year has brought.”

His proudest moments, however, remain centered on his students. Watching his first cohort of high schoolers graduate last year was especially meaningful. 

“I had the privilege of seeing many of them grow from Algebra 1 to Geometry, then through sophomore and junior seminar, and even into English 101. Seeing those students walk across the stage at graduation and thinking about all the amazing things they will accomplish filled me with pride that is hard to put into words.”

David credits ASU Prep for fostering a culture where teachers grow alongside their students. From the Expert Teacher Track to the Prep Leadership Academy and the doctoral cohort, he values how professional development is built into the fabric of the school. 

“ASU Prep consistently ‘walks the walk’ by creating opportunities for educators to grow and develop new skills,” he says.

Looking ahead, David is excited to see how ASU Prep continues expanding opportunities like concurrent enrollment and online college courses that allow students to interact with professors and earn college credit early. His hope is to prepare students with more than just subject knowledge. 

“It’s not about the content you’re learning in high school—it’s about the process,” he explains. “Being a skilled learner who can take information and apply it in any situation is what will serve students for life, and that’s the skill I want to give them.”

David says being named a Teacher of the Year finalist has been both humbling and energizing. From jumping for joy on a Zoom call to reflecting on how far he’s come since his early days in the classroom, David sees it as a testament to the support and mentorship he’s received at ASU Prep. 

“This organization saw something in me and helped build me up into somebody who, I guess, is worthy of this accolade,” he shares.

“Sometimes I think about how crazy it is that I survived 12 years of primary school, four years of college and however many years of graduate school to end up right back in a high school schedule. It’s nice to know there are others crazy enough to do the same. Thank you to everyone who shoulders the responsibility of being an educator—you are all amazing, and I hope you have an absolutely wonderful school year.”

As one of the founding Guides at Khan World School @ ASU Prep (KWS), Samantha Parker has been instrumental in shaping a new model of student-centered learning. Now in her third year with KWS and her sixth year with ASU Prep Digital overall, Samantha helped design and launch the middle school cohort, a bold innovation in mastery-based, flexible pacing. Before joining KWS, she taught English at ASU Prep Digital, first as an adjunct, where she says she quickly fell in love with ASU and the ASU online teaching community.

For Samantha, being part of ASU Prep means helping students and families find the right educational fit. 

“At ASU Prep, students learn to be active agents in their learning,” she said. “They are in the driver’s seat of their educational experiences.”

Her teaching philosophy reflects that belief. Having once found school prescriptive and teacher-driven as a child, Samantha now strives to ensure that her students feel empowered, creative and curious. 

“My vision as a teacher and a leader is for every student to be an active participant in their education, to feel included in their school culture, and to be encouraged to explore their creativity and curiosity,” she says.

That vision translates into powerful moments of growth. One of Samantha’s proudest achievements has been guiding middle school students who struggled at first with the accelerated, flexible pacing of KWS. Through consistent coaching and support, she watched them shift from needing direct instruction to becoming independent thinkers and thought partners. 

“Witnessing a student develop agency is incredibly rewarding,” Samantha said.

Samantha is also deeply committed to creating meaningful, real-world learning opportunities. At KWS, weekly tutorials are a cornerstone of this work—live sessions where attendance is expected and students engage in Socratic Seminars, problem-solving and connections to real-world issues. 

“Students communicate, collaborate and solve problems together,” she explains. “These are skills that will serve them well far beyond the classroom.”

Her inspiration comes from both her students and the thought leaders shaping the future of learning. Samantha points to Jane McGonigal, Director of Games Research & Development at the Institute for the Future, whose work applying game design to solve real-world challenges informs her own doctoral research at ASU.

“Her emphasis on designing systems that empower people to become active agents of change has inspired my research on student agency in mastery-based online learning,” Samantha says. 

“In both my classroom and my research, I aim to create experiences that give students meaningful choices and equip them with strategies to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.”

Looking ahead, Samantha is most excited about scaling innovations that build student agency across ASU Prep. She is currently developing practices that help students set goals, reflect and take ownership of their learning, while also equipping Guides with tools to support those skills. 

“These practices not only build student confidence and motivation but also strengthen the advisory role, creating a more purposeful and collaborative environment,” she said. 

With her doctoral work, Samantha also hopes to contribute to the broader body of research on mastery-based learning, ensuring ASU Prep remains at the forefront of designing sustainable, scalable models of student success.

Samantha says being named a Teacher of the Year finalist is both humbling and affirming. 

“My nomination affirms that the work I am doing at KWS and across ASU Prep is valued and impactful,” she said. “It is also a testament to the importance of developing relationships within and across our programs.”

Her advice for fellow educators? 

“Always hold relationships with students, families and coworkers as the foundation of great teaching. Content and curriculum matter, but it’s the trust, connection and belief you build with students that unlock their potential. Meet them where they are, invite them into the process and never underestimate the power of showing them that their voice and choices matter.”

At ASU Prep Casa Grande, English teacher Drew Sullivan is known for his creativity, energy and unwavering belief in his students’ potential. Now in his third year teaching at ASU Prep, Drew’s connection to the network goes back much further—he completed his student teaching at ASU Prep Polytechnic STEM Academy, and his wife also taught at ASU Prep Phoenix. 

“You could say ASU Prep has been part of our family for a long time,” he said.

That sense of belonging is matched by his commitment to preparing students for life beyond high school. Drew teaches English 11, English 12 and Senior Seminar, He also serves as a facilitator for college-level English 101/102, oversees the Personal Finance Seal, advises the National Honor Society and supports HARP credit recovery.

“For me, being an educator at ASU Prep is about those moments when a student realizes they’re capable of more than they believed,” he said. “When this happens in my Shakespeare unit, it makes my heart sing.”

His teaching philosophy centers on making learning real and personal. Whether through project-based lessons or building cross-curricular connections with colleagues, Drew believes in creating a classroom culture where students feel represented and celebrated. 

“We get farther when students know they’re seen, valued and believed in,” Drew says.

The results speak for themselves. This past school year, 100% of Drew’s seniors were accepted to college, many with multiple offers—and many as the first in their families to reach that milestone. He is equally proud that ASU Prep Casa Grande earned an A-rating, a rare accomplishment in the region. 

Beyond academics, Drew has inspired leadership through NHS and projects that make a tangible impact in the community. One favorite was a unit where students identified real-world issues and created advocacy campaigns, from youth programs to environmental change to—in true high school spirit—a passionate push for updated uniform policies. 

“It showed them their voices matter—and that they can spark real change,” he said. This year, his students will turn their attention toward addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness in Casa Grande.

Drew finds inspiration in many places: his students’ resilience, the determination of Barça Residential Academy athletes striving for professional soccer careers and colleagues like history teacher Jeff Whipple, with whom he has built powerful cross-curricular experiences. 

“Seeing students tackle challenges, support each other and grow into confident young adults reminds me why I chose this profession.”

Looking ahead, Drew is excited to explore new ways of teaching with innovative strategies and technology like AI, helping students grow into problem solvers and creators. He also values the ways ASU Prep invests in teachers through leadership and growth opportunities like the Transformative Teacher Leader initiative.

For Drew, being named a Teacher of the Year finalist is both humbling and motivating. 

“It affirms that the long hours, creative risks and focus on relationships really do make a difference,” he says. “Professionally, it motivates me to keep raising the bar for myself and for what is possible in my classroom.”

His advice to fellow educators reflects the philosophy that guides his work: “Lead with empathy, keep asking questions and never underestimate how much the little things matter. Sometimes the most important lessons we teach are in how we treat our students, not just what’s in the lesson plan.”

Their work reflects the spirit of ASU Prep: a dedication to equity, student-centered learning and an unwavering belief in the potential of every learner.

To Drew, Samantha and David: congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for your creativity, your courage and the joy you bring to teaching. Like your students, we are proud to learn from you and excited for the future you are helping us create.