Champions of Education Awards Winners

We are pleased to announce School Connect’s Champions of Education Award Winners for 2023!

Education Awards

Changemaker Award

Dr. Perry Berry

Queen Creek Unified School District

Superintendent

Hero Maker Award

Elizabeth Cranford

Altar Valley Elementary School District

Teacher

Catalyst for Education Award

Dr. Marianne Lescher

Kyrene Elementary School District

Principal

Collaborative Leadership Award

Dr. Paul Guy, Jr.

Chinle Unified School District

School Board Member

Student Champion of the Year (K-6)

Sophia Ketring

Pendergast Elementary School District

Student

Student Champion of the Year (7-12)

Nathaniel George

Brophy College Preparatory

Student

Because It Takes A Village Award

Valencia Newcomer School

Alhambra Elementary School District

School

School Champion of the Year Award

Beth Lake

Amphitheater Public Schools

School Champion

Community Awards

Hope Builders Award / Faith Community

Jerome Parker

Community Spotlight Award / Local Nonprofit

Dick Foreman

Community Impact Award / Local Business

Nadine & Jimmy Alauria

National Spotlight Award / National Nonprofit

Julie Phillips

Bridge Builders Award / National Business

Antonya Williams

Civil Impact Award / Government

Battalion Chief Dave Wagner

Civil Impact Award / Government

Chief Larry Rooney

Founder's Heart Award / Courageous Leadership

Dr. Joe Roselle

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.

    “Join me in celebrating these shining stars of the education community!”

    Danielle Lerner, Journalist

    “I appreciate School Connect’s dedication to public education and its willingness to recognize individuals who believe that every student must be engaged in meaningful real-life learning that meets their strengths and needs. It takes a village to do this work. Schools cannot do it alone. Thank you for taking the time to recognize the efforts of so many in our communities who make it happen for our kids.”

    Marcie Hutchinson, President, Mesa Public Schools Governing Board

    Thank you to our Sponsors!

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    News & Events

    School Connect Champions of Education Awards 2023

    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.

    New To The Valley: STEM Cafe

School Connect and the City of Phoenix Youth & Education Commision launched a new program, STEM CAFE, designed to benefit school districts throughout Arizona, aiming to bridge the gap between STEM industries and schools. 

Hear more at the link in bio
    "School Connect recently held its awards ceremony to recognize Arizona's youth, and many West Valley school districts were honored at it. School Connect has been focusing on connecting schools to their communities since being founded in 2014."

Read about our 2023 School Connect Champions of Education Awards at the link in bio
    Summit Partnerships Make A Difference

Our summit brought together many wonderful opportunities for partnerships to thrive, including Glendale ESD and Central Christian Church. Their newly established partnership resulted in a beautification project for one of their schools! 

Did your district create new relationships from attending our summit? Did your company adopt or support a local school since our event? Send us an email about your story today! Email cmo@schoolconnectaz.org and tell us how the School Connect Summit changed your community!
    Thank you @bcbsaz for spreading the love to eight Phoenix schools this #teacherappreciationweek 💙
    How do we ensure our students have the tools they need to succeed? Our guest this week, Jason Catanese, shares the importance of taking initiative to build math skills in Arizona youth. Tune in to hear about the crucial role mathematics plays on our children's future. Link in bio
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