Continuing the Fiesta Bowl Organization’s annual tradition of honoring, supporting and celebrating educators throughout Arizona, Fiesta Bowl Charities granted 400 teachers — including nine teachers from Surprise and El Mirage — with $2,500 each through the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP.

Nearly 212,000 students across 321 schools and 95 districts will benefit from their teachers’ wishes.

Recipients included those teaching the arts to science, both gifted and special education and languages and life skills amongst a diverse group of subjects.

Here are the wishes granted to the Surprise and El Mirage teachers:

• Robert Bowley, a world cultures and global perspective teacher at Imagine Prep in Surprise, will provide flexible seating options for their students.

• Jacqueline Brown, a special education teacher at Legacy Traditional School in Surprise, will purchase sensory equipment for their students.

• Sara Camren, a biology teacher at Imagine Prep in Surprise, will purchase iPads for their classroom.

• Lisa Moberg, a STEM Lab, robotics, coding and digital communications teacher at Sunset Hills Elementary in Surprise, will create an outdoor classroom.

• Becky Selman, an English teacher at Shadow Ridge High School in Surprise, will purchase learning devices for students.

• Mike Zimmerman. a social and global studies teacher at Imagine Prep in Surprise, will purchase updated technology for their classroom.

• Hannah Bridgeo, a dance teacher at Dysart High School in El Mirage, will provide speakers for their dance classroom.

• Katie Caravantes, a special education teacher at El Mirage Elementary in El Mirage, will purchase hands-on learning activities and flexible seating for their students.

• Vincent Moss, a physical education teacher at Riverview Elementary School in El Mirage, will purchase new equipment for their physical education class.

“Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers is one of the most impactful teacher support programs in Arizona donating $1 million dollars to benefit thousands of Arizona students. Adding to the excitement this year is the return of our in-person Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP which further enhances the experience for our recipients,” stated Randal Norton, Fiesta Bowl Board Chair, in a press release. “Teachers are truly selfless individuals who help shape the futures of our students here in Arizona and we are proud to play a part in supporting our teachers to do more in the classroom for the leaders of tomorrow.”

This year’s $1 million total donation brings the Wishes for Teachers’ seven-year cumulative grant total to $5.7 million awarded to 1,600 teachers, impacting more than 700,000 Arizona students.

“Palo Verde is excited and humbled to be part of such an incredible program that invests in teachers who are inspiring tomorrow’s leaders both inside and outside of the classroom,” stated Kory Raftery, manager of external affairs at Palo Verde. “One of our principles at Palo Verde is putting people first and Wishes for Teachers allows us to partner with an organization that supports some of the most important people in our communities.”

Created in 2016, the Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers invites public and charter school K-12 teachers across the state to apply each fall.

“Providing teachers with the tools and resources they need benefits Arizona’s children. Partnering with the Fiesta Bowl on the Wishes for Teachers campaign is one of the many ways SRP supports teachers,” stated Andrea Moreno, program manager of SRP Community Stewardship. “I’m honored to share that from 2021 to 2022, SRP provided $1.4 million in classroom grants, teacher workshops and materials. Our future workforce relies on the support that we provide to educators and non-profit organizations today.”