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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    Please join us for the School Connect Summit 2024 this February at the Footprint Center. Take your seat on the arena floor as leaders from every sector share their vision for the future. Together, we will empower our communities to connect through their local schools – building partnerships that will change the future for Arizona children.
    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
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