Arizona Educational Foundation

Doing hard things is hard. And at the heart of our work, we are teachers of humanity.

Lisa Scott, our 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year, brought this message to her lunchtime keynote at the Arizona Rural School Association conference, reminding us of the human connections at the center of teaching. The care we show, the relationships we build, and the ways we support students through challenges matter every day.

Thank you, Lisa, for encouraging educators and honoring the heart behind their work. And thank you to the rural educators across Arizona who show up for their students and communities every day! 🍎👏

Vail School District | Arizona Rural Schools Association

📚 Registration is NOW OPEN for AEF Academy’s October Professional Learning Courses! 🍎✨

Take your teaching, leadership, and classroom innovation to the next level with these engaging learning opportunities:

📝 Writing on the Wall: Making Thinking Visible with Vertical Boards in ELA
📅 October 1, 2026

🏆 Spelling Bee 101: How to Enroll and Get Started
📅 October 6, 2026

📖 Supporting Students with Dyslexia – For Teachers
📅 October 15, 2026

📲 Gen Z is More Generous Than You Think: How a Network-Driven Generation is Redefining Giving
📅 October 21, 2026
📌 In collaboration with GivingTuesday & GoFundMe!

🚀 Innovate with CAD & 3D Printing
📅 October 24, 2026

💙 The Hidden Struggle: Supporting Students with Dyslexia Through SEL & Classroom Accommodations
📅 October 29, 2026

Whether you're looking to strengthen literacy instruction, support diverse learners, introduce innovative STEM experiences, or prepare for a successful spelling bee season, AEF Academy has a course for you.

🎯 Seats are limited—register today and invest in your professional growth! Scan the QR code or visit https://azedfoundation.org/news-events/events/ to enroll today!

What better way to celebrate the first day of Fall than by signing up to volunteer at a Fall Festival? 🍂

Our partners at Local First Arizona would love to have you join the volunteer team for their Certified Local Fall Festival at Hance Park on November 7th. Whether you’re greeting guests, slinging beverage tickets or keeping the park sparkling green, you’ll be right in the middle of the action—helping thousands of neighbors discover, taste and fall in love with all things local.

Shifts run all day—sign up here: https://localfirstaz.com/fall-festival-volunteers

Our friends at Southwest Human Development are seeking volunteer judges for the MAKERS of Change Assistive Technology Challenge!

As a judge, you will grade and provide feedback on high school student STEM projects involving assistive technology to support young children with disabilities.

Requirements include:
✅ Completing a brief online application by 9/21
✅ Attending a 1-hour virtual training on 9/25
✅ Scoring virtually for up to 5 hours from October 1-6

Interested in giving your time to this incredible program? Visit swhd.org/makers to complete the application!

📚 The Next Round of AEF Academy September Courses Are Here! 🍎

Continue your professional growth with four powerful learning opportunities designed for educators and school leaders looking to strengthen instructional practices, leadership skills, school safety, and school excellence.

📅 September 22, 2026
🏆 A+ School of Excellence Presentation (Application, Process, & Timelines)
Learn key application requirements, timelines, and insider tips to help your school showcase its success and confidently pursue A+ School of Excellence recognition.

📅 September 22, 2026
🤝 Collaborating to Advance School Safety – Course Discussion
Explore strategies for building strong collaboration among parents, educators, administrators, mental health professionals, and school resource officers to support student success and well-being.

📅 September 24, 2026
📊 Teacher Inquiry Made Simple: Using Classroom Data to Improve Practice
Discover how to transform classroom data into meaningful instructional decisions and leave with practical tools to immediately strengthen teaching and learning.

📅 September 24, 2026
🌟 Systems Leadership in Schools: You Really Can't Do It All
Explore systems thinking strategies that help school leaders navigate complex challenges, prioritize what matters most, and create lasting, meaningful change.

✅ Learn from experienced education leaders
✅ Gain practical strategies you can implement right away
✅ Connect with fellow educators and administrators
✅ Strengthen your impact on students, staff, and school communities

🎟️ Registration is open now!

📲 Scan the QR code or visit https://azedfoundation.org/news-events/events/ to secure your spot today.

This is what community support looks like! 👏

Esmond Station K-8 School in the Vail School District, home to our 2027 AZ Teacher of the Year Lisa Scott, just got a wonderful surprise from BHHS Legacy Foundation: a generous donation of backpacks! We're so grateful for partners like BHHS Legacy Foundation who get hands-on with their support for public educators and their students.

⏰ Last Week to Register! Don't Miss Out! ⏰

Time is running out to secure your spot in AEF Academy's September professional learning courses!

Join fellow school leaders, administrators, and educators for expert-led sessions designed to provide practical solutions, fresh ideas, and actionable strategies you can implement right away.

📅 Upcoming Courses:
🤖 Introduction to AI in Education – September 12th
🐝 Spelling Bee 101: How to Enroll and Get Started – September 15th
🏆 Recognize. Nominate. Celebrate: A Proven Model for Teacher of the Year Programs – September 16th
📖 Dyslexia & Policy: Meeting the Needs of Students with Dyslexia – September 17th

Whether you're looking to support students more effectively, celebrate educator excellence, enhance school programs, or leverage AI to increase efficiency, these sessions are built for today's educational leaders.

🎟️ Registration closes soon.
🚨 Don't wait until it's too late—reserve your seat today!

📲 Scan the QR code or visit https://azedfoundation.org/news-events/events/ to register.

This Friday, we will announce our next round of courses for September! Don't miss out on the amazing resources from AEF. Thank you for all of your support!

Tiffani Jaseph, Arizona’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, spent a week at International Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama! 🚀

There, she participated in a program that uses simulated space missions, astronaut-training experiences, and NASA-inspired STEM learning to help educators bring the excitement of space exploration back to their students.

This unforgettable experience began with someone recognizing an exceptional teacher and submitting a nomination.

👉 Who is the teacher making a difference in your school or community? Nominate them to become Arizona’s next Teacher of the Year: https://form.jotform.com/262025982959167

🚨 Registration is NOW OPEN for AEF Academy's September Professional Learning Series!🚨
September is a busy month for AEF Academy! Here are our first round of courses, stay tuned for the next round so you don't miss out on the amazing resources brought to you by AEF!

School leaders, administrators, and educators—don't miss this opportunity to gain practical strategies, innovative tools, and proven solutions designed to support your students, staff, and school community.

📅 Upcoming September Courses:
🤖 Introduction to AI in Education – September 12th
🐝 Spelling Bee 101: How to Enroll and Get Started – September 15th
🏆 Recognize. Nominate. Celebrate: A Proven Model for Teacher of the Year Programs – September 16th
📖 Dyslexia & Policy: Meeting the Needs of Students with Dyslexia – September 17th

Whether you're looking to streamline operations with AI, strengthen student programs, recognize outstanding educators, or better support students with dyslexia, AEF Academy has a course for you!

✅ Expert facilitators
✅ Practical, actionable learning
✅ Relevant topics for today's educational leaders

🎟️ Registration is open now—secure your spot before sessions fill up!

📲 Scan the QR code or visit https://azedfoundation.org/news-events/events/ to register today!

Join the Arizona Diamondbacks as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, August 31st for a special Teacher Appreciation celebration dedicated to honoring educators and administrators!

Your Exclusive Teacher Appreciation Package Includes:
☕️ A limited-edition D-backs teacher-themed coffee mug (included with every ticket!)
👏 Pregame, on-field parade access for teachers and administrators to be recognized in front of fellow fans
🎟️ Game ticket to D-backs vs Phillies on Monday, August 31st @ 6:40pm

https://www.gofevo.com/event/AZEF26

Grab your ticket through our exclusive link to support AEF as we continue to hit home runs in education! See you there!