Getting this funding was a real surprise for me, and it was awesome to be a winner.”

Helena Spalding | Imagine Prep physical education teacher

Three Imagine Prep Surprise teachers were awarded a $500 grant through the APS “Supply My Classroom” program.

Middle school English teacher Janette Cervantes, middle and high school physical education teacher Helena Spalding and high school English teacher Catherine Ninteman were celebrated Sept. 23 when Lisa Heidke and Lorie Medlock, APS representatives from the Palo Verde Generating station, came to award them their grants.

As part of the “Supply My Classroom” program, APS provides grants to 500 Title I kindergardent through 12th-grade teachers within their service territory.

The program aims to provide teachers with necessary funds to purchase items for their classrooms using a virtual gift card.

Cervantes, Spalding and Ninteman were able to celebrate their award with their students and the APS representatives.

Cervantes shared she is planning to use her funds for pencils, whiteboard markers, glue sticks, whiteboard cleaner and laminating plastic.

Ninteman said she normally doesn’t enter contests.

“Getting this funding was a real surprise for me, and it was awesome to be a winner,” Ninteman said. “I am eager to use the money to enhance the classroom’s decor, add more books for students to read, and help organize the materials.”

Spalding plans to use her grant to purchase athletic equipment for her P.E. and weight training classes.

Imagine Prep Surprise and our community appreciate the support and the generous donation provided to each of the three winning teachers by APS and the Palo Verde Generating Station.