UEI College Phoenix Instructor Named Arizona Private School Association Teacher of the Year

PHOENIX, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Maria de Lourdes Reyes Lozano, an instructor in the Medical Assistant and Medical Billing and Insurance Coding programs at UEI College in Phoenix, has been named Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Private School Association (APSA).

The award recognizes Reyes Lozano's unwavering commitment to student success and her exceptional ability to guide adult learners through complex personal and academic challenges. Unaware she had even been nominated, Reyes Lozano learned of the honor as congratulations poured in from colleagues and campus leadership.

"I never got into teaching to get something like this," Reyes Lozano said. "I just did it because I love my job. I teach with love and passion, and I put my heart in my job."

UEI College Phoenix President Najibullah Sare, who nominated Reyes Lozano, emphasized that she embodies the core mission of career education.

"Maria represents what exceptional career education is truly about: high expectations, genuine compassion, and an unwavering commitment to student success," Sare said. "She does not simply teach medical assisting; she invests in the people she teaches and helps them transform an educational opportunity into a pathway toward a better future."

Reyes Lozano's instructional approach draws heavily on her own life experiences. Growing up in a large family and later raising four children as a single mother, she spent years juggling work, school, and child care. This background enables her to deeply understand the obstacles her students face, from financial hardship and housing insecurity to transportation issues.

Entering the health care field in 1992, Reyes Lozano spent 26 years managing medical practices and training employees before transitioning to the classroom in 2010. She joined the UEI College Phoenix campus in 2015. Whether providing extra one-on-one coding practice, connecting students with community resources, or ensuring they master clinical procedures, she consistently prioritizes their long-term success.

"I tell students, 'My job is to make sure that you guys learn what I teach, so you're ready to go out and immediately start a new career,'" Reyes Lozano said. "I want to make sure that they learn, graduate and get a job out there. I want them to be successful."

About UEI College

UEI College is an accredited institution that offers a range of vocational and skilled trade programs to help students earn a diploma and get started in a new career in as few as 10 months. In addition to career-focused education, UEI provides students with extensive support services, including career services and job placement assistance. UEI provides hands on career training in entry-level health care and the skilled trades at campuses throughout California. To learn more visit UEI.edu.

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SOURCE UEI College