“After two years of virtual events, the Tempe Diablos were thrilled to be able to host the Excellence in Education event in-person again at the Tempe Center for the Arts,” said David Formisano, event chair. “These outstanding educators help shape our future through the students they impact, and we are honored to celebrate their work during Teacher Appreciation Week.”
— David Formisano, Tempe Diablos
Staff Reports
Digital Free Press
The Tempe Diablos earlier this month recognized outstanding educators serving the Tempe community during the 33rd annual Excellence in Education Awards.
Teachers, leaders and administrators from three Tempe school districts were honored across seven categories including Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Teacher of the Year, along with cash prizes that totaled more than $30,000.
Also recognized were the 27 recipients of the 2022 Tempe Diablos Scholarships.
“After two years of virtual events, the Tempe Diablos were thrilled to be able to host the Excellence in Education event in-person again at the Tempe Center for the Arts,” said David Formisano, event chair. “These outstanding educators help shape our future through the students they impact, and we are honored to celebrate their work during Teacher Appreciation Week.”
A total of 21 educators received grand prizes, including:
Teacher of the Year
•Temeka Grandberry, Tempe Elementary School District
•Tiffani Montelione, Kyrene School District
•Corey Ozan, Tempe Union High School District
Lifetime Achievement
•Tracey Valenzuela, Tempe Elementary School District
•Scott Shelberg, Kyrene School District
•David Morton, Tempe Union High School District
Leadership
•Joanne Kelly, Tempe Elementary School
•Kelly Kimbrell, Kyrene School District
•Sarah Tolar, Tempe Union High School District
High Impact
•Danielle Sullivan, Tempe Elementary School District
•Daniel Jordan, Kyrene School District
•Lorie Warnock, Tempe Union High School District
Inspiration
•Jessica Foster, Tempe Elementary School District
•Laurel Gwilliam, Kyrene School District
•Jill Stewart, Tempe Union High School District
Rising Star
•Khrystal Sandoval, Tempe Elementary School District
•Taylor Kindt, Kyrene School District
•Logan Adam, Tempe Union High School District
Class Act
•Fernanda Garcia-Rivera, Tempe Elementary School District
•Sandy Theobald, Kyrene School District
•Jaylee Dorris, Tempe Union High School District
The evening included a speech from Tempe Mayor Corey Woods highlighting the importance of equitable access to public education in the Tempe community. Lyndsey Fry, Arizona Coyote analyst and the only Arizonan in history to medal in the winter Olympics, presented the Inspiration Award and talked about the important of mental wellness.
The teacher of the year award was sponsored by the family of Dr. Ralph Goitia, the former superintendent of Tempe Elementary.
When Mr. Goitia passed away last year, his obituary requested that interested parties donate to the Excellence in Education event in lieu of flowers. The result was over $8,000 in donations and his son, Tempe Diablo Eddie Goitia, honored the teachers with his father’s memory and legacy.
