The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce recognizes local businesses and community members who demonstrate outstanding participation and leadership in the community each year through its annual Business Awards Dinner, coming up this year on Sept. 28.
Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) has two of the three finalists for this year's Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year award: Lara Cox, physical education teacher and coach at Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary (FMSE), and Joshua Mattis, math teacher and coach at Queen Creek Junior High School (QCJHS).
These teachers were nominated for their dedication to their students and community. Last school year, both Cox and Mattis received the Award of Excellence, an award given annually by QCUSD to recognize teachers and staff members who go above and beyond to serve students.
In addition to the Award of Excellence, Mattis was named QCUSD’s Educator of the Year. Cox was named president of the Arizona Health and Physical Education Association.
According to QCUSD officials, both teachers are cherished by students and colleagues alike, admired for their unwavering dedication and ability to inspire a sense of fellowship within the educational community.
“Josh has all of the qualities that you would like to see in a teacher,” said QCJHS Principal Beverly Nichols. “He is not only an amazing math teacher, he goes above and beyond as a coach and mentor.”
FMSE Principal Sherry Towns said Cox goes above and beyond to further herself, her students and her peers.
“Lara is a leader in every sense of the word. Not only do students and staff look to her for guidance, so do her fellow PE teachers across the district,” said Towns. “Lara consistently reaches out to her peers and colleagues and challenges them to pursue their own excellence by humbly sharing her personal growth experiences.“
The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce Awards ceremony will be on Thursday, Sept. 28 at Encanterra Country Club, located in Queen Creek at 1035 E. Combs Road. Visit the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce website to learn more and view past winners.
