Rotary: Chandler teacher of the year chosen

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes reviewed applications for its annual RCSL Sandy Lundberg “Educator of the Year” Scholarship, choosing three Chandler Unified teachers to give presentations at an RCSL meeting.

Kim Alvin DeLara — a second-grade teacher at CUSD’s Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School — was selected as the Educator of the Year, taking home a $2,000 scholarship.

The presentations were scored by RCSL judges, addressing teachers’ experiences; leadership achievements; relationships with students, parents, and families; volunteer activities; letters of recommendation and promotion of Rotary ideals.

Runners-up Savannah Menger, an English teacher at Hamilton High School, along with Lynda Fredickson, an education professions teacher at Casteel High, received $500 scholarships.

The scholarships were established in 2017 as a “prestigious” annual award, according to a news release. The purpose is to demonstrate the RCSL’s continuing commitment to the district and its educational objectives, along with the educators who work diligently and professionally to achieve those objectives.

The first such award was presented in 2018 to Sandy Lundberg, the principal of the newly opened Casteel High School. Lundberg, who died after a long battle with cancer a short time later, was an active and energetic RCSL member, the release states, so the award was then named after her.

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