Pictured Above: Monica (nominator) and Rachel Copland (August Star Teacher)
(August 29, 2025…Phoenix, AZ) Burch & Cracchiolo is pleased to honor Rachel Copeland of the Autism Academy for Education and Development with the August Star Teacher Award. Rachel has been teaching for 5 years. She is bright, energetic, patient and loves her students. When contacted about receiving the award she responded:
“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. I have been a teacher for 4 years. Currently, I am teaching all subjects and grades 3rd-6th grade.”
Finding AAED has been a fantastic benefit for Benjamin, Monica and the whole family as they specialize is working with autistic children at all levels, giving them specialized care and attention such as greeting each and every student at the curb in the morning and personally escorting them to their classroom. When Monica nominated Rachel she wrote:
“She comes every day to work with children that have special needs of all kinds and always has a smile on her face. It was a struggle to find the right school for my son. Here at Autism Academy I do not have to worry about my son being treated unfairly. It's difficult raising a child with special needs, but when I drop my son off in her care, I know he is not only going to get the education he deserves but he is going to be treated with care. She goes above and beyond to provide her student and families with the support they need. It takes a special kind of person to wake up every day and do what she does for our children.”
Rachel received a check for $500 for classroom needs and supplies and the school received an additional check for $250 to use as they see fit. To learn more about the school here is their website: The Autism Academy for Education & Development – Arizona. It’s an amazing place!
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 45+ 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.