Educator: Jarrod Posner is the Queen Creek Hometown Hero for December

A native of Long Island, New York, Jarrod Posner has fallen in love with Queen Creek.

Posner moved to Arizona in 2002 and Queen Creek in 2016 and loves the small-town feel.

It’s the right environment for the teacher and softball coach from Benjamin Franklin Charter School-Crismon Campus.

“Being able to affect the lives of children in a positive way. I love building relationships that last for years,” he said.

Not surprisingly, his favorite community causes all center on helping children, something he does every day.

With that in mind, Posner said he strives to be kind and caring to all people because one never knows what impact even the most causal encounters can have on another person’s life.

Business Name: Benjamin Franklin Charter School-Crismon Campus

Town/neighborhood: Queen Creek

When and why I moved here: Been here since 2016 — love the small-town feel.

What I like most about living here: The people, the mountains.

What I do: Teacher and softball coach.

Personal background highlights: Originally from Long Island, New York, came out to AZ in 2002.

Professional background highlights: Been teaching for almost 20 years and coaching for 15 years.

What I like most about what I do: Being able to affect the lives of children in a positive way. I love building relationships that last for years.

What does being nominated for this category mean to you? It is an honor and I am humbled. I don’t feel like a “hero.”

What does it mean to be a Queen Creek resident? Queen Creek is amazing. While I miss some of the small-town feel it used to have, it still has a great small-town community vibe.  

What do you think you bring to the local community that makes it better? I just try to be the best me every day.  

What would you tell people about why it's important to make a difference in Queen Creek? Queen Creek has the chance to be one of the best small/large cities in Arizona. The people here are kind, and it is important that we remain neighborly and close-knit, even while we grow.

Changes I'd like to see in this area: I would love to see the growth slowed down just a bit so they can make better roads. I also would love to see more locally owned restaurants and stores!

Favorite community cause and why: Anything that is for children!

My family: I am married and have two kids and two granddaughters.

My interests and hobbies: I have a small card collectible business-baseball, football, etc. I also like attending car shows.

The trait(s) I admire in others: Honesty, integrity, hard-work, positivity.  

People who inspired me (and how): Jackie Robinson-pushed boundaries, persevered. More personal, my wife-she has Stage 4 cancer and fights every day with a toughness and perseverance that I can only dream of having.  

My guiding philosophy: The impact you have on people matters. Remember that. You may not even know you impacted them, but you have. For that reason, always be kind, be caring, be true and be real.

My advice to today’s youth: Every day I tell them to work hard, focus on God and family, be who they are, be kind to others, stay off the screens, respect your parents and family and remember that you have every opportunity to live the life you dream of — you just have to go out and earn it! Work for it. Never quit.  

The Queen Creek Independent is pleased to announce Jarrod Posner as the December 2025 Hometown Hero bestowed in the category of Educator.  The Queen Creek Independent along with East Valley Institute of Technology and the Queen Creek Olive Mill salute Mr. Posner as this month's Queen Creek Hometown Heroes Awards recipient.