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!

    PRESENTED BY

    CATALYST FOR EDUCATION SPONSOR

    Join Our Village

    Doing this alone is impossible; it takes all of us working together to make a difference.

    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Latest Podcast

    News & Events

    Join Us To Honor Champions Of Education On April 25th!

    TICKET REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 25 – APRIL 24, 11:59 PM (MST)

    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.

    Washington Covena invites #STEMleaders to the #STEMCAFE on March 28th @gcu basketball arena to bring real world #STEM experiences, and opportunities to AZ K-12 students! Sign up today: https://schoolconnectaz.org/stem-cafe/
 
Join #SchoolConnect, Title Sponsor @bcbsaz and Hosting Partners @gcu and the @cityofphoenixaz in our shared mission to support #STEMeducation as we build strong #STEMcareerpathways for #Arizona! Thank you to our partners: @gentechsupport @core1937 @stemsportsusa @chasse.us #mrsgeeky @stiix @eric.j.rodriguez @weareufe #SaylesAdvancementinEducationFoundation @firialabs @acec.national @acecofaz
    Only 4 days left to nominate a Champion of Education!! As a wise @wesdschools student reminds us, “A kid can’t change the world by themselves. They need support from their parents, teachers, and coaches.” Help us celebrate the work of countless educators and community leaders who show up every day to support the next generation of leaders! Nominate a hero today: https://schoolconnectaz.org/school-connect-awards/nominate/ 
 
@alhambraesd @altarvalley @amphischools @avondaleesd @azedschools @beavercreekschooldistrict @brophyprep @cavecreekusd93 @cartwrightsd83 @creighton_school_district @chandlerunified @isaacschooldistrict @littleton_esd_65 @osbornschools @pvschools @tuhsd214 @rsdno66 @navajotimes @madison_az @mpsaz @mesacc qcusd95 @peoriaunified11 @peoriafiremedical @laveenschools @gesd40 @kyreneschools litchfield_esd @dvusd 
@pesd92 @pesd92studentcouncil @tusd_news @officialgilbertpublicschools @scottsdaleunifiedsd @wesdschools #chinleunifiedschooldistrict
    Hear from Todd Steffen, President of CORE Construction, how partnering with #SchoolConnect has been key to establishing collaborative education initiatives around #STEM learning. We are proud to partner with @core1937 on the #STEMCAFE and love hearing about their commitment to #Arizona students and the next generation builder! Join us at the STEM CAFE on March 28th with leading #STEMPartners to help us prepare the next generation #STEMworkforce!
 
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, @bcbsaz and STEM CAFE Hosting Partners @gcu and @cityofphoenixaz 
+
@gentechsupport @stemsportsusa @chasse.us #mrsgeeky @stiix @eric.j.rodriguez @weareufe #SaylesAdvancementinEducationFoundation @firialabs @acec.national @acecofaz @acementorphx @asuengineering @johndowd93 @tempeelementary Sign up: https://schoolconnectaz.org/stem-cafe + link in bio
    Help us showcase your heroes! Nominate a principal, teacher, superintendent, school board member, school, school champion or student for a #schoolconnectaward! Nominations for your champions of education are open until March 20th @ midnight. We need your voice to tell their stories - nominate someone today!! Https://schoolconnectaz.org/school-connect-awards
 
@alhambraesd @altarvalley @amphischools @avondaleesd @azedschools @beavercreekschooldistrict @brophyprep @cavecreekusd93 @cartwrightsd83 @creighton_school_district @chandlerunified @isaacschooldistrict @littleton_esd_65 @osbornschools @PVSchools @tuhsd214 @rsdno66 @navajotimes @madison_az @mpsaz @mesacc qcusd95 @peoriaunified11 @peoriafiremedical @laveenschools @gesd40 @kyreneschools litchfield_esd @dvusd
@pesd92 @pesd92studentcouncil @tusd_news @officialgilbertpublicschools @scottsdaleunifiedsd @wesdschools #chinleunifiedschooldistrict
 
Thank you to #SchoolConnectLegacyPartners for supporting our champions of education! @bcwill84 @bcbsaz @brushfiretacosytapas @chasse.us @concordgeneralcontracting @core1937 @fccphx @gconinc @gentechsupport @gcu #jackingebritsonfamilyfoundation #kentandlindalivermore @mccarthybuild @pureheartchurch @scottsdalebible @sunlandasphalt @titansolarpowerinc #williamcshumacherfamilyfoundation
    Announcing STEM CAFE Scholarships for Schools!
#SchoolConnect is pleased to announce #STEMCAFE Scholarships are being provided for 4 schools who register by 3.20.2024, thanks to our generous #SchoolConnectPartners !! Simply go to https://schoolconnectaz.org/stem-cafe/ and signup: complete your school ticket registration and tag your school in the comments to be entered into the contest! Join us as we gather schools across Arizona to connect with STEM industry leaders, providing invaluable resources aimed at delivering the highest quality Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education to our students!
 
Thank you to Title Sponsor @bcbsaz and Hosting Sponsors @gcu and @cityofphoenixaz @gentechsupport 
@core1937 @stemsportsusa @chasse.us #mrsgeeky @stiix @eric.j.rodriguez @weareufe #SaylesAdvancementinEducationFoundation @firialabs @acec.national @acecofaz