Christmas came early for 400 teachers across Arizona, including 17 from the Queen Creek Unified School District.
Last month — in what has become an annual tradition to honor, support and celebrate Arizona teachers — the Fiesta Bowl Organization awarded $1 million to teachers through the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program.
“They may not wear capes, but teachers are real-life superheroes. They give tirelessly to their students and Wishes for Teachers is our opportunity to reward them for their efforts,” said Jeff Meshey, president and chief executive officer at Desert Financial. “Desert Financial was founded by teachers — we continue their legacy by returning as the title partner for this year’s Wishes for Teachers, in partnership with Fiesta Bowl Charities. Teachers often pay for school supplies out of their own pockets, so there’s no greater way to express our gratitude than by granting their classroom wishes.”
Through a three-day Virtual Draft Day presented by Salt River Project (SRP), 400 teachers from K-12 schools were each given $2,500 to grant a wish in their classrooms. The winners were chosen based on a program in the fall wherein any Arizona K-12 teacher was able to fill out an online application detailing a school or classroom need. The wishes were then verified and selected by random drawing for teachers to receive a grant. Over the six years of the program, Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers has granted $4.7 million to more than 1,200 Arizona teachers, impacting more than 500,000 children across the state.
“I love Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Draft Day presented by SRP, it is so exciting when we call each teacher to let them know their name was selected as a grant recipient,” said Patrick Barkley, chairman of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors. “Wishes for Teachers is well-known around the state as the preeminent program for teacher support. My mom was a teacher, and we all know teachers who inspire us with their selfless work.”
This year, the 400 teachers represent 300 schools in 63 cities across the state, teaching more than 200,000 students in 84 districts over 75 subjects, from social studies to special education, literature to leadership, music to math. Through the program, here is just a sampling of classroom wishes being granted:
- Aubrey McDonald, a third grade teacher at Auxier Elementary School, will provide tablets for their students.
- Olivia Nebeker, a third grade teacher at American Leadership Academy, will purchase a smart board to promote hands-on learning.
- Ashlee Gibson, a second grade teacher at Legacy Traditional School, will purchase updated technology supplies and interactive games for the classroom.
- Robert Destefano, a math teacher at American Leadership Academy, will provide updated math equipment for the classroom.
- Mackenzie Tanquary, a music teacher at San Tan Valley Elementary School, will provide students with ukuleles, recorders and other instruments for the music class.
- Maria Radostits, a personal finance and math teacher at Heritage Academy, will purchase Chromebooks for the class.
- Jolie Varholdt, a science teacher at Queen Creek High School, will purchase telescopes and a meteorite kit for students to study the planets and stars.
- Michelle Bordonaro, a language arts inclusion teacher at Sossaman Middle School, will provide assistive technology for students with disabilities.
- Jill Skolrud, an orchestra teacher at Cortina Elementary School, will provide a classroom makeover to allow for better storing space for materials and instruments.
- Brock Kearsley, a physical education teacher at Queen Creek Elementary School, will use the funds to replace outdated and broken equipment.
“Teachers are our unsung heroes, who give so much to our students in helping them become tomorrow’s leaders. Giving them a spotlight for their selfless work and support them with extra resources is an important part of the Fiesta Bowl’s commitment to our community,” said Mike Nealy, executive director of the Fiesta Bowl. “Thanks to our partners Desert Financial and SRP, Wishes for Teachers rewards Arizona’s teachers and gives them a step forward in ways they may have only wished.”
For more information or for a full list of granted wishes, visit www.fiestabowl.org.
