Arizona teachers receive $2,500 grants from Fiesta Sports Foundation
Foundation distributes $1.5 million to 540 educators across the state
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Fiesta Sports Foundation distributed $1.5 million to 540 Arizona teachers Tuesday, providing $2,500 grants to educators, who surveys estimate spend roughly $895 of their own money each year on classroom supplies.
Teachers received phone calls announcing their grants had been approved for items ranging from robots to percussion instruments to flexible seating options.
Jennifer Flores, a teacher librarian at Los Amigos Technology Academy who has taught for 36 years, received funding for flexible seating in her library. Research shows that comfortable seats improve student engagement and reduce behavior problems.
“Since we’re funded at bare minimum through the state still...the reason I have so many books in this library is because I’m not afraid to beg,” Flores said.
Arizona education funding challenges
World Population Review calculates that Arizona spends less per student than almost every other state, ranking 47th out of 50. This makes classroom improvements expensive for teachers.
Erik Moses, Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director and CEO, said the grants benefit all Arizonans.
“Education and helping to improve the lives of the next generation and future generations is something most people can rally behind,” Moses said.
Indeed, polling data from Education Forward Arizona shows 79% of Arizonans support more K-12 funding. Moses said the grants can also help keep teachers in their jobs.
“It’s also about being seen and being heard and being recognized for the great contributions that teachers give,” said Moses.
This was Wishes for Teachers’ tenth year. Over the last decade, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has donated nearly $10 million to Arizona teachers. Grants will open again next fall. In the meantime, teachers often post wishes on platforms like GoFundMe and AdoptAClassroom.
Isabela Lisco is a Report for America corps member covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
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