In its annual tradition to honor, support and celebrate Arizona’s educators, Fiesta Bowl Charities has granted 500 teachers — including nine Chandler-area teachers — with $2,500 each during the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP, for a total of $1.25 million.

In its eighth year, the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program increased its giving by 25% to Arizona K-12 public and charter school teachers.
The funding will impact more than 220,000 students across 73 cities and towns statewide, with 368 different schools receiving grant awards, according to a news release.

This season’s 500 granted wishes will fulfill requests from teachers in the areas of agricultural studies, arts, math, physical education and wellness, science and special needs. The grants will provide resources such as new reading materials, classroom makeovers, educational events and programs and more.

Through the program, here are the classroom wishes being granted to Chandler teachers:

• Marva Cowan, a special education teacher at IntelliSchool, will provide flexible seating options and sensory materials for her classroom.

• Rebecca Crow, a second-grade teacher at Jacobson Elementary School, will support their “Science of Reading” program and purchase resources.

• Alan Dosmann, a physical education teacher at Sirrine Montessori Center, will purchase equipment for a recreation room.

• Jordyn Genevro, a fourth-eighth grade special education teacher at Dobson Academy, will purchase classroom technology.

• Darryl Gregson, a special education teacher at Basha High School, will purchase adaptable exercise equipment for their students.

• Christy Herndon, a girls flag football teacher at Chandler High, will purchase equipment to support the program.

• Stephanie Likes, a theatre teacher at Chandler High, will purchase resources for CHS musical productions.

• Kari Mochel, a behavior specialist at Bogle Junior High School, will upgrade an outdoor space with decorations, furniture and activities for her students.

•Rich Peace, a P.E. teacher at Summit Academy, will purchase pickleball equipment for his students.

Over the eight years of the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers, the program has awarded about $7 million to more than 2,100 educators, impacting over 920,000 students statewide, the release says.

Established in 2016, the Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers initiative grants classroom wishes to Arizona teachers in K-12 public and charter schools, who often spend their own money for classroom materials and activities.

Recipients of the grants are invited to attend the Guaranteed Rate Bowl where they are honored on the field in a halftime presentation and to march in the  Fiesta Bowl parade.

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