Over her career, Ms. Hernandez has become known for creating a classroom environment defined by joy, structure, and high expectations. Year after year, her kindergarten students have achieved some of the strongest assessment results in the district.
Rita has been teaching 1st and 2nd grade there for 18 years. Rita grew up in Phoenix and went to Madison Simis herself. She got her B.A. in elementary education from the University of Arizona.
Our October teacher is Kathy Porteria of Tonalea Middle School in south Scottsdale just north of the Tempe border. It is a Title 1 school of 442 6-8 graders. Kathy has been teaching there for 20 years and works with the students who have especially tough circumstances.
Shannon has been teaching 3rd grade at John F Long Elementary School for 12 years.
“I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid and saw the amazing impact teachers have on students' lives. I became interested in working in special education after volunteering at Special Olympics. I previously taught special education kindergarten and had many students with Autism and that brought an interest to specializing in working with kids with Autism.”
Amy is a 3rd year 1st grade teacher at Whispering Winds Academy in the Paradise Valley School District. Whispering Winds is a K-6 grade school, and has been a leader in STEM Education for the past 15 years.
Ciara has been teaching for 10 years but this is her first year teaching kindergarten, which she loves. She was nominated by one of her student’s parents.
Lizeth has been teaching for 8 years and is beloved by her SEI 2nd grade students. She goes the extra mile to make sure they are engaged and supported and, therefore, learn to love school.
Michael has been teaching for 14 years and has been at ASU Prep for almost 6 years. He teaches STEM and physical education, often combining his passion for science and sports.
Dalilia was nominated by Lauren Hawks, our Star Teacher alumni from May of 2022
Tamicha was nominated by Vincent Reese who wrote: "She has worked at the school since 2005, she got her teacher's degree in 2009, and raised 7 kids, and has managed to be the lead teacher on that campus multiple times."
Jessica has been teaching 3rd grade for 32 years and was nominated by Heidi Granatelli, a parent of one of her students.
For 16 years Nicole has taught dance and physical expression at Metropolitan Arts Institute (MAI). MAI is an independent, chartered college prep arts school with 250 students located in downtown Phoenix.
Kelly has been teaching students with autism from 3rd-8th grade for 14 years. She teaches daily living and functional skills and then plans field trips so her students can implement their skills and get real life learning experiences.
Ms. Sharma, has been teaching algebra and geometry at Central since 2020. Prior to that she taught in India for 13 years. In addition to her teaching duties, she is the Central HS coach for the State Bar of Arizona’s Foundation for Legal Services Mock Trial competition.
Ashley was nominated by one of her classroom volunteers, Brian Edwards: "As a teacher she is innovative and creative using a variety of media and other tools to engage the students in developing curiosity and a desire to learn."
Jennifer heads up the counseling department at Millennium and is also the Key Club advisor. She has been in school counseling for 27 years, the last 11 at Millennium. She is passionate about helping her students with problems, staying in school, college admissions and generally figuring out what to do after high school.
Jennifer has been a teacher for 21 years and received her B.A degree in education from Ottawa University. Her principal John Mospan said she is a very bright light in his school and the students really love her.
Jessica has been teaching for 27 years and is now participating in a grant program called STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) for 2nd grade. Her enthusiasm and energy is contagious, and her students respond accordingly.
Brian has been teaching for 7 years and teaches AP Government and American History. In addition, he is part of the baseball team coaching staff!
Janet has been teacher for 35 years in the Cartwright School District and in 2023 at Charles L. Harris Elementary School
Mr. Prey is not only a kind and thoughtful man who deeply cares for the well-being of his students, but he also is a fantastic teacher. He has helped lead me into the marine biology field, which is now the career I am interested in.
Fellow teacher Brad Boucher nominated Monica, writing: “Monica has the heart of a true teacher. She loves going to work every day. She goes above and beyond outside of the classroom too.”
Burch & Cracchiolo is pleased to honor special education teacher Kristen Jahrman from Isaac Middle School as the December Star Teacher.
“I love teaching STEM in all its forms,” comments Colledge. “The kids are excited and eager to learn about gravity, volcanoes, hurricanes, ecology and so much more. I love putting that spark in them.”
Burch & Cracchiolo proudly names Tracey Brody the recipient of the October 2022 Star Teacher Award. She is a veteran teacher of 21 years who teaches 8th grade social studies at Hillcrest Middle School in Glendale, Arizona
Burch & Cracchiolo proudly names Natalie Richardson the September 2022 Star Teacher. For the last 27 years Richardson has been teaching kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade at Kyrene del Cielo Elementary School in the Kyrene School District in Chandler.
Burch & Cracchiolo proudly names Gary Horowitz the August 2022 Star Teacher. For the last 15 years Horowitz has been teaching 11th grade history and government at Barry Goldwater High School in the Deer Valley Unified School District. Horowitz received a check for $500 to be used for classroom supplies or other non-reimbursable costs.
Abbey has been teaching 6th grade math for 5 years at Frye Elementary School in the Chandler Unified School District. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked for Disney World in Orlando and she brings her own special brand of magic to her students every day.
Burch & Cracchiolo proudly names Lauren Hawks the May 2022 Star Teacher. An Arizona State University student who is receiving her master’s degree this week, Hawks has been teaching 7th grade math for 2 years through the Teach for America program at Pueblo del Sol Elementary in the Isaac School District.
Burch & Cracchiolo proudly names Wes Harder of Norterra Canyon School as the March 2022 Star Teacher. Harder has been teaching 5th grade math, social studies and science for 6 years and recently came onboard as the school Athletic Director.
Buckeye’s Verrado High School music and band director Tracy Meldrum has been selected as the February Star Teacher by the Phoenix law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. She has been at Verrado since it’s opening in 2006 and has grown the band program from 9 to 96 members, competed in over 70 competitions, 13 state championships, and six state finals.
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. is proud to announce Courtney Wilson as the January 2022 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” Wilson is a 3rd grade teacher at Hopi Elementary School in the Scottsdale Unified School District where she has been teaching for 20 years. She earned her B.A. in education from Arizona State University in 2001.
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. is proud to announce Cinnamon Robles as the December 2021 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” Robles is an Ajo, Arizona raised first-grade teacher at San Simon School in Sells, AZ on the Tohono O’odham reservation. She is in her third year of teaching and was formerly teaching fourth grade English at Eisenhower Innovation Center in the Mesa Public School District.
Burch & Cracchiolo is proud to announce Mr. Kelly Batke of Centennial Middle School has been named the November 2021 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” Batke has been teaching special education students in 6th-8th grade students for 10 years. Centennial has an enrollment of 750 students and is located in the Kyrene School District. The District covers portions of Tempe, Phoenix, Chandler and Guadalupe and serves over 15,000 students.
Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. is proud to announce Connie Starr of Villa Montessori Charter School has been named the October 2021 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” Starr has been teaching for 29 years.
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. is proud to announce MSG (R) Jeffrey Rice of Maryvale High School has been named the September 2021 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” MSG Rice has been a JROTC instructor at Maryvale High School for 6 years.
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. is proud to announce Alicia Russell of Starlight Park Elementary School has been named the August 2021 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” She teaches 4th grade and has been at teaching in the Cartwright Elementary School District for 16 years.
The two-year old Burch & Cracchiolo “Star Teacher Award” program is getting an update this month as Valley students and teachers head back to school for the 2021-2022 school year. In addition to a Valley teacher being chosen each month to receive $500, the school where the educator teaches will receive an additional check for $250 to be used at their discretion.
Trisha Thomas of Capitol Elementary School has been named the May 2021 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” She teaches 6th grade science and math and has been at teaching in the Phoenix Elementary School District for 17 years.
Burch & Cracchiolo Star Teacher Award program featured in Paradigm Magazine
Jason Brown named April 2021 Star Teacher by Burch & Cracchiolo
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. is proud to announce Amanda Hall has been named the March 2021 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” She teaches first grade Spanish Immersion Dual Language at San Tan Elementary School in the Higley Unified School District in Chandler, AZ.
Angela Enciso of Camelback High Selected as February Star Teacher
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. is proud to announce Darius T. Williams as the January 2021 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award. Williams is a 4th grade teacher at Corte Sierra Elementary School in the Litchfield Elementary School District.
Tara Knope selected as B&C December 2020 Star Teacher
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. is proud to announce Caroline Estrada Carlson as the November 2020 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” Carlson was recently named the Science and Enrichment Coach for the Roosevelt School District in Phoenix. Prior to this assignment she taught 8th grade science at Irene Lopez Elementary School for four years.
Mr. Crudup has cultivated a deep passion for children and teaching over many decades. His desire to play a more active role in the education of children drove him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.
Grobmeier was nominated by long-time friend and parent of former students Susan Hall of Susan Hall Realtors and she writes: "Her students would tell you she is amazing. She received letters years later thanking her. Some apologizing for their behavior (high schoolers are not easy) and that because of her they became teachers. She spends every lunch hour tutoring students in her classroom. She cares deeply for each child and uses her money every year to buys books and paper and pens - and always has a candy jar or nutrigrain bar available."
The law firm of Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A. is proud to announce Melanie Liddy of Mitchell Elementary School in Phoenix as the August 2020 recipient of the “B&C Star Teacher Award.” Liddy is a 3rd grade teacher who has been at Mitchell Elementary for 9 years. She was awarded a check for $500 to use for classroom art supplies and/or a field trip, and a certificate of recognition. Liddy was presented the award by B&C attorney Ali Bull via Zoom.
