Pictured above: Kelly and some of her students along with school principal Nicholas Lodato.
(March 28, 2024…Phoenix, AZ) Our March Star Teacher is Kelly Adler of Emerson Elementary School in the Phoenix Elementary School District at 9th Street and Palm Lane. She has been teaching students with autism from 3rd-8th grade for 14 years. She was nominated by her husband who wrote:
My wife, Kelly, goes above and beyond for her students every single day. Not only does she have to use and modify six different grade level curriculums, she also has to tailor each lesson to meet each student's IEP goals all while making each lesson engaging and hands on. She adores her students, and her students love her. She gets to keep her students for many years since she teaches a self-contained Autism class, and she truly thinks of them as a family.
She goes to Target all the time to buy them supplies, high interest toys and ingredients for cooking activities. 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. She is part of the PTO and social committee so she can help plan fundraisers, events and activities for her students and the whole student body. She is the facilitator for the special education team which means she attends IEP meetings for other teachers, helps write IEPs and goals, checks all IEPs for compliance and holds team meetings.
Last year, she spearheaded a summer school program for some of the students on the spectrum so they could continue on with their routines and structure while getting to participate in hands on summer camp activities. She would do anything for her school and especially her students. Teachers don’t get the recognition they deserve but she especially deserves to be celebrated and appreciated for all she does.
A Valley teacher is chosen each month to receive $500 through a nominating process on the firm’s website www.bcattorneys.com. Nominations are accepted from students, former students and parents who wish to honor and thank a teacher who has had a profound impact on their life. Many teachers spend their own money to augment the costs of classroom supplies, field trips and other non-covered costs that arise throughout the school year. B&C hopes to alleviate that burden for one deserving teacher each month. In addition, the school where the educator teaches receives a check for $250 to be used at their discretion.
Nominations are open to all teachers in K-12 who teach in Maricopa County. Winners will be notified and then presented a check at their school by a member of Burch & Cracchiolo. Photos and/or video will be taken to post on the firm website and social media. To nominate go to www.bcattorneys.com, click on the “Nominate a Star Teacher” button and tell us why you think your teacher deserves the B&C Star Teacher Award.
About Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A.
Now with a team of 50+ esteemed law professionals, Burch & Cracchiolo is one of the Southwest's premier law firms. The firm was founded in 1970 by Haze Burch and Dan Cracchiolo and today the firm’s lawyers are among the most highly regarded and recognized leaders in the areas of business and corporate law, construction, criminal defense, estate and wealth preservation planning, family law, finance, labor and employment, litigation, personal injury and insurance defense, real estate, and tax law. The firm has a long history of giving back to the community through non-profit sponsorships, donations, and volunteer efforts. B&C has been honored as an AZ Business Angel by the Arizona Business Magazine in 2020, 2021 and 2022.