Champions of Education Awards Finalists

We are pleased to celebrate our top three Education Award Finalists in the following categories for the Champions of Education Awards 2024!

Because It Takes a Village Award

Category: School

Litchfield Elementary School

Litchfield Elementary District

Principal Sabine Hopper

Jack Barnes Elementary School

Queen Creek Unified School District

Principal Dawn Kennaugh

Sweetwater Elementary School

Washington Elementary School District

Principal Susan Smith

Catalyst for Education Award

Category: Principal

Courtney Frazier

Belen Soto Elementary School

Litchfield Elementary School District

John Mospan

Desert View Elementary School

Washington Elementary School District

Loy Guzman

Apache Elementary School

Apache Elementary School District 42

Changemaker Award

Category: Superintendent

Dr. Roger Freeman

Littleton Elementary School District

Dr. Scott Menzel

Scottsdale Unified School District

Dr. Jennifer Cruz

Pendergast Elementary School District

Collaborative Leadership Award

Category: School Board Member

Gina DeCoste

Agua Fria Union High School

Hilda Ortega-Rosales

Pendergast Elementary School District

Samantha Davis

Queen Creek Unified School District

School Champion of the Year Award

Category: School Champion

Taylor Perkins

Chasse Building Team

Alexa Ruona

Arizona State University

Sarvanan Bala

Orcutt | Wilson

Hero Maker Award

Category: Teacher

Rebecca Bhasme

Wilcox Unifed School District

Monica Landaiche

Liberty Elementary School District

Cindy Thompson

Queen Creek Unified School District

Student Champion of the Year

Category: K-6 Student

Samuel Granado

5th Grade Student, Villa De Paz Elementary

Aquilla Ricks

2nd Grade Student, Las Brisas Academy

Makayla Reid

5th Grade Student, Lakin Prep Elementary

Student Champion of the Year

Category: 7-12 Student

Fatimah Amer

Basis School, Scottsdale

Ethan Lemka

Centennial High School/ MET Professional Academy

Austin Stasik

Cactus Shadows High School

Thank you to our Sponsors!

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CATALYST FOR EDUCATION SPONSOR

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School Connect Summit 2025

Join the School Connect Summit 2025 to unlock your genius and discover how much your leadership matters to the future we create together. At this one-of-a-kind leadership summit, you will gather with representatives from business, education, faith, nonprofit, and government entities to connect, learn, and strategize for unified community action. Speakers, seating assignments, and conversation topics are designed to help leaders connect their efforts through the school system to maximize reach and influence for positive change.

News & Events

Nominate a Champion of Education

Join our statewide search for Arizona Champions of Education! Tell us about a student, teacher, principal, superintendent, school board member, or school champion who has inspired you with their ability to beat the odds, solve problems creatively, and help their communities thrive! Nominate them for a Champion of Education Award!

Announcing our School Connect Summit 2025 keynote speaker: Chris Singleton! 🌟

From former MLB player to inspiring author and advocate for unity...

Chris's story of forgiveness after unimaginable tragedy will move you to see the difference you can make in your community. 

Join us on 2/10/25 to learn how we can build bridges for AZ youth.

🎟️ Tickets on sale now! Use GENIUS20 during our limited-time holiday sale (ends 12/16 - Link in Bio!)

#SchoolConnectSummit #Education #Leadership #AZBlue #Arizona #Forgiveness #Unity
Guess what?! Every dollar you give on #GivingTuesday will be matched up to $20,000!

That means you double your impact to...

💛 reach more schools
🧡 empower more educators
❤ and impact more students

...so that every child feels supported, not just by their teacher, but by their entire community! 

Will you join us? Link to give in bio!

#SchoolConnect #GivingTuesday
Imagine classrooms across Arizona where every student feels supported, not just by their teacher, but by their entire community. That's what you help us do this GivingTuesday!

Better yet, today, you can double your impact! 

Every dollar you give will be matched up to $20,000, allowing us to reach more schools, empower more educators, and impact more students. 

Will you join us? Link to give in our bio!

#GivingTuesday #StudentSuccess #CommunityFirst #SchoolConnect
This Thanksgiving, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for every educator, partner, and champion who believes in the power of connecting schools and communities. 

Your dedication has sparked incredible transformations across our communities: students planning Love Our Community Day, creating public art, building community benches, cleaning public spaces, participating in City Council meetings, and even stepping into leadership roles like serving as mayor for a day! 

These young voices are reshaping their communities with creativity and passion. 

Together, we're not just supporting schools; we're nurturing tomorrow's leaders. 

Thank you for being part of this journey! 🙏 

#SchoolConnect #CommunityImpact #StudentLeadership #Gratitude #Thanksgiving
Our early bird special for School Connect Summit 2025 is about to migrate south for the winter. 🦃

Use code GENIUS20 to get $20 off before you slip into your Thanksgiving dinner coma!

👇👇👇

🎟 Ticket link in bio!

#SchoolConnectSummit #Education #Leadership #AZBlue #Arizona #EarlyBird #Thanksgiving #Turkey
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