The Friends of the Surprise Libraries has released the names of the teachers in the local school districts who have received a combined total of $30,130.69 in school grants in 2023.
Grants to support learning through Literacy in the Surprise area schools became a mission of the organization in 2012. Since then, a total of $427,999 has been awarded to teachers and schools submitting applications wishing to enhance classroom learning experiences through literacy.
Grants are made possible by the sale of used books in the Friends Place bookstore in the west wing of the Surprise Regional Library. Friends Place is operated and staffed by volunteers of the Friends of the Surprise Libraries. Materials are purchased by Friends of the Surprise Libraries and delivered to the schools.
Materials requested included new books for classroom libraries to encourage reading for enjoyment; decodable readers for learning how to read; novels for high school students to read and evaluate; whisper phones for children to read books aloud without disturbing classmates; stuffed animals to be used as reading buddies for children to hold and read to aloud; and tools for social and emotional learning.
The 2023 award recipients listed by school district are as follows:
Arizona Charter Academy teachers, who requested books and learning materials received a total of $6,421.64. Those participating were Shari Haberkorn, Jada Henderson, Lori Townes, Sharesa Uher, Brandi Wernet and Jacqueline Wheeler.
Dysart Unified School District teachers from five schools applied for and received grants in the amount of $2,625.14.
Ashton Ranch Elementary teacher Jody Welsch received $163.80. Cimmaron Springs Elementary teacher Amanda Grady received $375.90. Lucy Blanco of El Mirage Elementary received $139.87. Amy Holiday of Marley Park Elementary requested and received two grants for a total of $1,056.54. Sheri Loyd of West Point Elementary received a grant for $741.93 along with Amanda Hryb who received $147.
In addition, the Dysart USD received an $800 grant for books given to new teachers.
Nadaburg USD had the highest teacher participation in the grant program in for the second year in a row. The district received a total of $18,656.91.
Desert Oasis Elementary teachers Janelle Bewley, Shara Elliott, Laura Frazier, and Samantha Miller and Melissa Otto received grants totaling $5,274.91. Nadaburg Elementary teachers Dobie Biggs, Christine Kuschewski, Jennifer McGowan, Julie McKenzie, Makenzi Olson and Kylie Reynolds received a total of $13,382.00.
Paradise Honors High School teachers Marianne Hessler and Cristy Waring received a total of $1,627.00.
R & G Dillon Cares, the Foundation for Dillon’s Restaurants donated funds from the proceeds of their golf tournament to benefit Friends. The funds were to be used for a portion of the School Grants to the Nadaburg Elementary School.
The Friends of the Surprise Libraries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting literacy improvement in the northwest Valley.
For information or to make a donation, visit friendsofthesurpriselibraries.org.
