Arizona Educational Foundation

Bring your squad to knowledgemaxx and learn how Gen Z is literally giving for the causes they love spilling tea about. ✨

Our upcoming FREE webinar with GoFundMe Pro and GivingTuesday is just TWO WEEKS AWAY! This exciting collaboration will provide valuable insight into the newest generation of givers, and how your organization can best win their support.

📌 Wednesday, October 21 | 9:00am-10:30am (MST) | Virtual

In this session, we’ll cover:
👉 How Gen Z engages with giving today
👉 What experiences you need to capture their various forms of participation
👉 Strategies to bridge Gen Z generosity to nonprofits
👉 Ways to turn early engagement into sustained donor relationships

Don't sleep on this highkey goated yap session! Register here: https://azedfoundation.org/events/gen-z-is-more-generous-than-you-think-how-a-network-driven-generation-is-redefining-giving/

We'd like to extend a huge congratulations to our 2024 Teacher of the Year Dr. Efrain Casillas, who is now a two-time CMAF Music Educator of Excellence! 🏆 🎶

The CMA Foundation honors 30 standout music teachers across the nation each year, and it's no surprise Dr. Casillas made the list. His award year includes engagement with CMA’s broader industry network, curated experiences at CMA events, and behind-the-scenes access to the business of Country Music.

We love seeing our Arizona Teachers of the Year continue making their mark long after their award year. Congratulations on another well-deserved honor, Dr. Casillas! 👏

There’s no better way to celebrate than welcoming Tiffani Jaseph, our 2026 Arizona Teacher of the Year, home from CCSSO - The Council of Chief State School Officers's Washington Week! 🍎🇺🇸

As part of her Arizona Teacher of the Year experience, Tiffani joined the 2026 State Teachers of the Year from across the country in Washington, D.C., for a week of connection, professional development, and advocacy—bringing educators’ firsthand experiences and perspectives into conversations with national leaders and policymakers.

“It’s amazing to know people from across the United States and to be able to be advocates together for public education. We learned insightful things, talked to incredible people, and saw so many beautiful sights across D.C.”

👉 Know an Arizona teacher who deserves the chance to represent our state and experience opportunities like Washington Week? Nominations for the 2028 Arizona Teacher of the Year are now open: https://form.jotform.com/262025982959167

THIS is how a community uplifts public education! 🙌

As the presenting sponsor of the 2027 Teacher of the Year, Desert Financial is kicking off their Year of Service—a school year full of hands-on impact at the schools of our 2027 Ambassadors for Excellence.

This week, we visited Michael Haslanger, a 2027 Honoree and Theatre Teacher at Buckeye Union High School - BUHSD #201. Desert Financial cleared teacher wishlists and dropped off truckloads of classroom supplies, furniture, and breakfast.

The fun didn’t stop there—our teams got our hands dirty and helped BUHS Theatre with a deep clean and reorganization of their workshop. Now, Michael's students can hit the ground running while they build out their fall play!

We are so excited to have this first day of service in the books, and we couldn’t have asked for a better crew. Thank you to all the incredible folks from Desert Financial Credit Union, Buckeye Union High School District, and Michael Haslanger for making this possible! 👏

AEF is proud to support Salt River Project (SRP) on the launch of their new SRP Energizing Education Grant™️, giving 50 Arizona teachers the chance to receive a $1,500 grant to bring more hands-on learning and engagement into their classrooms!

The grant is open to Arizona's K-12 public and charter school teachers, and applying takes less than 5 minutes:

⚡ Visit srp.net/energizingeducation
⚡ Complete the online entry form (super short!)
⚡ Submit between October 1 and November 30

Ready to energize your classroom? Apply today!

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.