Fall 2023 Adopt-A-Teacher Program

Sharing success with educators throughout Arizona!

Submissions have closed.

Our credit union was founded in 1939 by a group of educators who believed in sharing success with the community. One way we continue to share success is by giving back to Arizona teachers! We’re recognizing their efforts by giving these leaders the opportunity to be a part of our Adopt-A-Teacher Program¹ for fall 2023.

Now in its third year, our annual Adopt-A-Teacher program has given back $145,000 to Arizona teachers. We’re adopting 14 Arizona teachers this year — seven from January to April and another seven from August to November. Each selected teacher provides a wish list of classroom supplies and essentials valued at up to $3,000 in total. We fulfill each of their wish lists as our way of showing appreciation for their efforts in the classroom and beyond.

Here’s what some of our 2022 adopted teachers had to say:

“I am so excited to be able to purchase things for my 5^th- and 6^th-graders for science! My hope is that I can provide my students with valuable learning experiences that they will remember later in life. My hope is to get things like microscopes, owl pellets and other science-related activities. This amazing gift will be helping over 125 students.”

Jamy M. 5^th- and 6^th grade teacher at Humboldt Elementary School

“I have a photography unit planned for my older students … The only piece that had been missing from the unit was a set of cameras that are sophisticated enough without being too difficult to use. With a new set of digital cameras, my students will be able to tell their stories with photographs of how they see the world.”

Ellen F. K-5^th-grade art teacher at Cromer Elementary School

“Being chosen for this grant is incredible. For years, I have wanted to make science more ‘hands-on’ for the kids – [fewer] demonstrations and more labs. This grant will help boost what I will be able to have the kids in my classes do for themselves. This will also enable me to purchase reusable supplies, so my future students will also benefit.”

Timothy D. Science teacher teacher at Glassford Hill Middle School

HOW TO APPLY

Want to have your classroom wishes granted? Fill out the form below by August 25, 2023, for a chance to be one of our seven fall 2023 Adopt-A-Teacher participants! Recipients will be announced on August 31.

¹Selection of the recipient teacher is at the sole discretion of Desert Financial. Desert Financial will work with the teachers selected to provide supplies for use in the classroom. Recipients are responsible for determining and complying with any applicable tax obligations. See Official Rules for more details.

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