Pictured Above (back row): Leticia Castro principal, Jack Hendrix (Burch & Cracchiolo), Steve Watson (Cartwright School District Superintendent), Shannon Bishop (3rd grade teacher)
(September 26, 2025…Phoenix, AZ) Burch & Cracchiolo is pleased to honor Shannon Bishop of John F Long Elementary School in the Cartwright School District at 55th Ave & Campbell with the September Star Teacher Award. Shannon has been teaching 3rd grade for 12 years (all of them at Long) and she is truly a shining star. She was nominated by Long Elementary principal Leticia Castro who wrote:
Miss Bishop had 87% of her class passing the 2025 state assessment AASA in math. Last year in 2024 she had 83% passing. She is an excellent teacher that believes in all scholars, meets them where they are and holds them accountable to reach their dreams. She teaches her scholars that discipline equals freedom and as a class they demonstrate this every day. They work hard and challenge themselves. She has a variety of scholars in her class with different needs from special education to English Language Learners, yet you would not know it when you walk in her room as all scholars feel like they belong. She teaches by planning lessons that are engaging and allow for maximum time for students to practice the skills. She is also instrumental in building capacity across our school. She mentors new teachers and supports her grade level and colleagues by meeting with them, visiting their classroom and opening her room for others to go watch.
John F. Long is a Title I school and the average assessment math test scores in the Cartwright District run about 33% so she is doing an amazing job and serves as an example for her fellow teachers. District Superintendent Steve Watson (himself a former John F. Long student) and the district PR person were there to cover the presentation. Jack Hendrix of Burch & Cracchiolo answered questions from the students about what lawyers do, and Shannon’s mother was on FaceTime from Pennsylvania. It was a wonderful event and very appreciated by all.
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.