“I think every teacher in Flagstaff would want to be back in school right now if we could, but in recognizing what’s safe for our students and ourselves and our family, we know that’s difficult. But we really do still love these kids and we’re trying to make a difference however we can,” said Patterson, who was named the 2020 Coconino County Teacher of the Year in a private ceremony Friday.

Patterson is a third and fourth grade teacher at FJA and has been there for a decade after graduating from Northern Arizona University with a master’s degree certification in elementary education.