Champions of Education Awards
Because every child deserves a champion, we honor those who have courageously made a difference for Arizona youth
Honoring Arizona Champions of Education
The School Connect Champions of Education Awards event honors those who lead with heart and help us to build a brighter future for Arizona youth. Every year School Connect presents awards in 13 categories, including individuals ranging from kindergarten all the way to CEO! Watch our Student Champion of the Year for the K-6 Category, Sophia Ketring, to learn how he is a champion for education!

Who Is A Champion of Education?
We believe that champions of education are those who not only have vision for a better world but take action on behalf of our kids. Champions of education include educators and community members who take the time to build relationships, establish trust, and know that what they invest in students travels home with them, and in turn strengthens their families, and ultimately the communities around all of us. Every courageous leader who helps to create a safe space for students, who gathers networks of people to work toward positive change in the world around them, every one of you is helping to start a movement that creates a brighter future for Arizona youth.
Education Awards

Changemaker Award
Superintendent
This Superintendent has taken a stand as a leader – bringing innovative solutions to their entire district; building networks of support across multiple sectors to create diverse and powerful growth in their district. They have cast a clear and compelling vision for their school district and work with diverse community partners to support the initiatives of individual schools as well as district wide strategies of support.
Hero Maker Award
Teacher
This Teacher has built trust, modeled resilience, and cultivated leadership in others to influence not only their classroom, but parents, other teachers, and even outside community members, thus stimulating hope and inspiring courageous leadership for the future. They are also in tune with the needs of students and parents with a clear understanding of how community partnerships can support wraparound services and academic achievement for students and greater parent engagement.
Catalyst for Education Award
Principal
This Principal has sparked collaboration toward a specific change, leading the way as a catalyst that ignites hope and rallies others to champion their school community. They have identified strategic ways community partners can impact their school and built community partners into a village of strategic partnerships that are founded on relationships of trust and win/win collaboration.
Collaborative Leadership Award
School Board Member
This School Board Member has partnered with other leaders to bring unified community engagement and support to their district, building synergy and empowering their board to exceed expected outcomes for their district. They have also cast a compelling vision of the goals and needs of their school district while building strategic partnerships that can drive outcomes in their schools district wide.
Student Champion of the Year
Student (K-6)
This Student exemplifies great-hearted leadership – cheering others on, leading by example, and inspiring his or her fellow student to generosity, perseverance, and the bold leadership required to empower the next generation. They have been fully engaged in their education by bringing their unique gifts and talents to every aspect of learning and are also interested and concerned in the welfare of their peers.
Student Champion of the Year
Student (7-12)
This Student exemplifies great-hearted leadership – cheering others on, leading by example, and inspiring his or her fellow student to generosity, perseverance, and the bold leadership required to empower the next generation. They have been fully engaged in their education by bringing their unique gifts and talents to every aspect of learning and are also interested and concerned in the welfare of their peers.
Because It Takes A Village Award
School
This school has built a diverse network of community partners to support the school, students, and families in its community. Leadership has worked strategically to celebrate community engagement and the school actively tracks progress toward their goals, celebrating every step towards victory!
School Champion of the Year Award
School Champion
This person has become a trusted partner of the school principal and the community. By listening to the strategic goals of the school and needs of the community, they have facilitated collaboration amongst parties, tracked and communicated progress, and celebrated the entire team’s efforts toward student success!
EVENT DETAILS
Event Location
Orange Tree Golf Resort
Mariposa Ballroom
10601 N. 56th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Event Date & Time
Date: April 28, 2023 | Time: 8:30 – 10:30 AM

Elizabeth Cranford Wins The Hero Maker Award
“I know that I’m not the only teacher who is doing everything that I can with the time that I have here. I know that there are so many teachers who are working hard and giving it everything that they have – sacrificing selfcare, sometimes sacrificing family time? And so I don’t want to think that I am doing something different than the teacher in the next room, in the next school, in the next city, in the next state, in the next country!”
Dr. Joe Roselle Wins The Founder’s Heart Award
This very special award honors a leader with a courageous heart who sees the genius, passion, and love in other people, gathers those people together, and works to unleash their collective power for positive change in the world around them. Dr. Roselle is a visionary leader who honors the leadership of others around him, finds a way to move forward in the most challenging of circumstances, and celebrates the successes of his students and community.
Community Awards

CIVIC IMPACT AWARD
Local Government
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT AWARD
Local Nonprofit
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
Local Business
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT AWARD
National Nonprofit
BRIDGE BUILDERS AWARD
National Business
HOPE BUILDERS AWARD
Local Faith
FOUNDER’S HEART AWARD
Courageous Leadership
Join Our Village
Doing this alone is impossible; it takes all of us working together to make a difference.
Latest Podcast

News & Events


Dr. Paul Tighe, Executive Director of Arizona School Administrators invites leaders to join ASA and School Connect at the School Connect Summit because we know Arizona youth succeed when the village shows up! Join us on February 12, 2024, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at Footprint Center as we build a legacy of champions.
#SchoolConnect #ASA #AZSchoolAdministrators #ASBAAC2023 #Summit2024 #AZblue #titansolarpower #suns #titancares #phxoffcourt #ittakesavillage #champions
@arizona_asa @bcbsaz @titansolarpowerinc @suns @phxoffcourt

HTTPS://schoolconnectaz.org/summit
These quotes from #studentleaders prove that leadership matters at every age. Check out what these students from Pendergast Elementary School District, Phoenix Union High School District, and Laveen Elementary School District had to say about the #schoolconnectsummit and how it inspired them to share their #studentvoice! #studentslead #Summit2024 #SchoolConnect @phoenixunionhs @pesd92

https://schoolconnectaz.org/summit
Breaking News! School Connect is pleased to announce a confirmed date for our tenth anniversary School Connect Summit 2024. Join us on the arena floor of Footprint Center, on February 12, 2024, from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, and in partnership with Titan Solar Power, the official solar contractor of the Phoenix Suns, we invite you to lead the way for your team and your community. #SchoolConnect #Summit2024 #AZblue #titansolarpower #suns #titancares #phxoffcourt #cominginhot #leadershipmatters
What we know is that, win or lose, champions do not sit on the sidelines. They show up for their team – their community - every single day. These leaders build trust and inspire hope in those around them as they give people a vision for what is possible. Ultimately, champions pave the way for future leaders, and in so doing, champions change the world. Join us in the arena for the Summit! @bcbsaz @titansolarpowerinc @suns @phxoffcourt @benwallsfilms

https://schoolconnectaz.org/donations/2023-year-end/
Watch as students volunteering at Sahuaro Elementary for Love Our Schools Day teach our team about respect. We love working with the next generation of leaders! Well done!! School Connect cannot do this important work without you. Donate today to help us bring more support for Arizona student leaders! #SchoolConnect #WESDfamily #respect #studentleaders #studentvoice #belonging #loveourschoolsday
@sahuaro_wesd @wesdschools

HTTPS://schoolconnectaz.org/stem-students
Why sponsor a student’s STEM “Game Day” Field Trip? While STEM careers are the future of education, the research shows that more than 2/3rds of middle school students do not enter high school ready to start working toward a STEM career.
As Principal Ontiveros says, “You can’t dream about something you don’t know about.”
But together, we can give kids a vision for their career potential, as well as connections and resources to help them prepare. Early support makes the difference. Every student deserves a STEM Choice. Sponsor a student today!
#STEMstudents #everystudent #schoolconnect #ACECAZ #ASUInnovation #gameday #givingtuesday #careersofthefuture #studentvoice
@pvschools @BenWallsFilms
