This year, The Fiesta Bowl Organization awarded $1 million to teachers in Arizona through the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes For teachers program.
Among the teachers awarded were Victoria Ligon and Sabrina Wilson from Camp Verde Elementary School. Both were awarded $2,500 to use as they wished to improve their classrooms and learning environments.
“They may not wear capes, but teachers are real-life superheroes. They give tirelessly to their students and Wishes for Teachers is our opportunity to reward them for their efforts,” said jeff Meshey, president and CEO at Desert Financial.“Desert Financial was founded by teachers — we continue their legacy by returning as the title partner for this year’s Wishes for teachers, in partnership with Fiesta Bowl Charities. Teachers often pay for school supplies out of their own pockets, so there’s no greater way to express our gratitude than by granting their classroom wishes.”
As a retiree teaching music by choice, Ligonsaid she has no qualms about buying classroom supplies out of pocket, but these funds will help her set up the classroom for the next teacher who may not have the means to do the same.
With the awarded money, Ligon said she plans to set up a keyboard piano area in the classroom, where students can play the keyboard and learn music theory. She also plans on buying more Chromebooks for the students.
While Ligon is a seasoned veteran in the classroom, Wilson is still fresh and is working on implementing new teaching techniques to help students succeed.
Wilson teaches fifth grade at Camp Verde Elementary School and said she plans on using the funds to create more comfortable reading areas for the students in her reading class.
“Because I got the grant, the whole classroom is going to change,” Wilson said. “I’m getting rid of my big desk to create space in the classroom for the kids to read.”
Wilson implements Kagan learning techniques in her classroom, encouraging students to cooperate and communicate in a round table learning environment.
Since Camp Verde received news of its individual teacher awards, the school also received word that it will be getting a new playground through the same organization. In conjunction with KABOOM!, an organization dedicated to ending playspace inequity, the school will be doing a community build of a new playground soon. They are even sending out different design options to students to see what setup best fits their needs. Arizona is still ranked 49th in funding for education.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New York, the most highly funded state, spends $24,040 per pupil, while Arizona spends $8,239 per pupil.
“Teachers are our unsung heroes, who give so much to our students in helping them become tomorrow’s leaders. Giving them a spotlight for their selfless work and supporting them with extra resources is an important part of the Fiesta Bowl’s commitment to our community,” said Mike Nealy, Fiesta Bowl executive director.
Cedar Gardner can be reached at 634-8551 or email cgardner@larsonnewspapers.com
