Goodyear Teachers receive $2,500 classroom grants

Eighteen Goodyear teachers have been awarded $2,500 each through the Wishes for Teachers program, part of a statewide initiative that distributed $1.5 million to educators this year.

The program, run by the Palo Verde Fiesta Sports Foundation, is now in its 10th year. Organizers say recipients are selected through a random drawing and can use the funds for classroom needs ranging from instructional materials to equipment and campus improvements.

This year’s awards went to teachers in 119 communities across Arizona. According to the foundation, the program has distributed a total of $9.7 million since its start.

Goodyear teachers state they plan to use their grants for projects that include replacing aging physical education equipment, expanding classroom libraries, purchasing art supplies, adding STEM resources and providing flexible seating or sensory tools for students.

Goodyear teachers receiving $2,500 grants include:

• Matt Aaron, Estrella Mountain Elementary: PE equipment
• Irlanda Aguirre, Desert Thunder Elementary: Early-learning materials
• Ivy Angle, Archway Classical Academy Trivium: Art supplies
• Ruben Carroll, Desert Edge High School: Native vegetation planting
• Carson Cavaletto, Archway Classical Academy Trivium: Art and PE equipment
• Samantha Denton, Archway Classical Academy Trivium: Classroom organization and materials
• Carmen Esnal, Millennium High School: PE technology
• Roxana Espinoza, Desert Thunder Elementary: Sensory tools
• Leilah Fletcher, Goodyear High School: Books for classroom library
• Blanca Gallegos, Desert Thunder Elementary: Math supplies
• Debra Goley, Trivium Preparatory Academy: Art supplies and display materials
• Michelle Hrin, Desert Edge High School: Career-aligned library materials
• Andrea MacLeod, Trivium Preparatory Academy: Digital LED sign for performances
• Amy Marinelli, Wildflower Accelerated Academy: Playground updates
• Clarissa Mendoza, Desert Edge High School: Manga, graphic novels and biographies
• Brittany Montes, Copper Trails School: Headphones, flexible seating and books
• Jonathan Schmadeke, Millennium High School: 3D printers for physics classes
• Shelly Wright, Estrella Foothills High School: Writing tablets for special education instruction

Foundation officials stated they plan to continue the annual grants, which they describe as supplemental resources intended to help teachers cover classroom expenses that are not otherwise funded.

Visit fiestasportsfoundation.org for more information.