Fiesta Bowl Charities granted 400 teachers — including 20 teachers from Gilbert schools — with $2,500 each through the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP. 

The grants are part of the bowl organization’s annual tradition of honoring, supporting and celebrating educators in Arizona, according to the bowl.  

The awards were spread throughout the state this year with 72 cities and towns represented amongst the 400 teachers, with more than 5,300 combined years of experience, selected.  

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

The Gilbert teachers included: 

• Cindy Arehart, a kindergarten teacher at Val Vista Academy, will provide STEM resources for her students. 
• Tessa Beltz, a social studies and science teacher at Pioneer Elementary, will provide flexible seating for her students. 
• Michelle Bodanaro, a special education teacher at Higley High School, will purchase new math resources for her class. 
• Jeremy Brewer, a music teacher for kindergarten to sixth grade at Bridges Elementary, will purchase additional instruments for his class. 

• Kristen Brunelll, a special education teacher at Val Vista Academy, will provide a space for students to calm down and utilize sensory resources. 
• Elisabeth Catalani, a second-grade teacher at Higley Traditional Academy, will purchase new science and social studies resources for her class. 
• Suzanne Everhart, an art teacher at EDUPRIZE, will purchase new equipment for her classroom, including storage solutions and art supplies. 
• Scott Francom, a math teacher at Gilbert Elementary School, will purchase drones and robotic equipment for their classroom. 
• Laura Hardy, a theater arts instructor at Highland High School, will purchase new resources for the theater program. 

• Anne Kelley, who teaches music, choir and handbells at Greenfield Elementary School, will purchase Wenger Tourmaster Risers for the choir program. 
• Misha Krejsta, a math teacher at American Leadership Academy, will purchase a classroom set of graphing calculators. 
• Stephanie Lingenfelter, a library technician at Mesquite Junior High, will purchase new reading materials. 
• Kanishka Marasinghe, Humane Letters at Arete Preparatory Academy, will provide resources for their classroom including a new projector and sets of books. 
• Maribel Medina, an instructional coach at Gilbert Elementary School, will provide Spanish materials and resources for the school.       

• Kyle Morrison, a special education teacher at Arete Preparatory Academy, will provide resources for individualized instruction and flexible seating options for their class.   
• Andria Sharp, a librarian at Ashland Ranch Elementary School, will purchase iPads and STEM resources for the library. 
• Diane Smith, a kindergarten teacher at Neely Traditional Academy, will purchase supplies for the school garden. 
• Jason Stokes, who teaches U.S. History and Public Speaking at Arete Preparatory Academy, will purchase interactive resources in the subject of U.S. History. 

• Dakota White, a special education teacher at Cooley Middle School, will purchase new furniture for their library, including flexible seating options. 
• Taylor Zamudio, a first-grade teacher at Benjamin Franklin Charter School, will purchase items to promote learning through art. 

Fiesta Bowl Chairperson Randal Norton said in a release that the program is one of the most impactful teacher support programs in Arizona, noting the $1 million donated benefit thousands of Arizona students. 

"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,” he said. 

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 students across Arizona. 

Kory Raftery, manager of external affairs at Palo Verde, said in the release it is excited and humbled to be part of the program. 

“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,” he said. 

Created in 2016, the Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers program grants classroom wishes to Arizona teachers. Public and charter school K-12 teachers across the state are invited to apply each fall with the recipients verified and selected by a random drawing during the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by Salt River Project. 

Andrea Moreno, program manager of SRP Community Stewardship, said in the release that providing teachers with tools and resources benefits Arizona’s children. She noted SRP has provided $1.4 million in classroom grants, teacher workshops and materials in 2021-22. 

“Our future workforce relies on the support that we provide to educators and nonprofit organizations today,” she said.