Cash Grants Available Through Four Peaks For Teachers Program
Four Peaks Brewing Company is stepping up for educators with its 14th Annual Four Peaks For Teachers Program. This year, the initiative will provide teachers with free classroom supply kits and will award five deserving teachers with $1,000 – $3,000 grants.
Four Peaks for Teachers invites Arizona residents to nominate outstanding educators for a classroom grant. Through the “Thank a Teacher” campaign, five teachers will each receive $1,000 cash grants, with one grand prize winner receiving $3,000 to support their classroom.
Nominations open Tuesday, May 6 and close Thursday, June 12 at fourpeaksforteachers.org/nominate. Anyone 21 or older—including parents, past students, and fellow educators—can submit a nomination explaining in 200 words or less how the teacher they’re nominating has gone above and beyond and why they deserve a cash grant.
From the entries submitted, five winners will be selected by a panel of judges based on the following criteria:
- Driving Educational Access in Underserved Communities
- Reflecting the Core Values of the Four Peaks Brand
- Demonstrating a Commitment to Educational Impact
- Delivering Tangible, Uplifting Outcomes
Since launching in 2011, the Four Peaks For Teachers program has provided more than 50,000 supply kits and more than $43,000 in teacher grants, totaling more than $500,000 in value to teachers throughout Arizona and across the Southwest.
“Teachers pour their hearts into their classrooms, and too often, their own money too,” said Jeremy Bolian, President of Four Peaks Brewing Company. “Four Peaks For Teachers is our way of giving back—one supply kit, one grant, and yes, one pint at a time. We’re proud to support the educators who are shaping our future.”
2024 Winner 12 News – Sherri Pine
Teacher of the Year Nomination Essay: Stacey Smith, Copper View Elementary School
There are many good teachers, but every once in a while, a teacher comes along who changes the way you see yourself, the way you think about learning, and even the way you understand what kindness means. For so many students and families at Copper View Elementary School, that teacher is Mrs. Stacey Smith. Over the past thirteen years, she has built not only a classroom but a community — one that radiates patience, joy, and high expectations. As both a fifth-grade teacher and assistant principal, Mrs. Smith has touched hundreds of lives, creating a legacy of learning, leadership, and love. It is for these reasons and so many more that I am honored to nominate Stacey Smith for Teacher of the Year.
A Teacher Who Teaches the Whole Child
Mrs. Smith doesn’t just teach math, reading, writing, science, or social studies — she teaches students, in the fullest and most meaningful sense of the word. Every day, she walks into her fifth-grade classroom with a calm energy that immediately sets the tone for the day. Her voice is kind and steady, and her students respond to her warmth and consistency. In a world where children often feel pressure to be perfect, Mrs. Smith gives them the space to be human — to make mistakes, to try again, and to learn not just what is in the textbook, but what it means to be thoughtful, curious, and resilient.
Her classroom is a place where learning feels safe and exciting. Whether students are exploring fractions, writing essays, conducting science experiments, or reading novels together, Mrs. Smith finds a way to make every subject connect to real life. She believes that learning should be relevant — that students learn best when they see the “why” behind what they’re doing. Her lessons often blend creativity and practicality. When teaching math, she uses games, group activities, and real-world examples that make numbers come alive. In reading, she encourages students to choose books that speak to their interests and identities, helping even the most reluctant readers discover a love for stories. And in writing, she shows them that their voices matter — that their ideas and experiences deserve to be heard.
Calm, Caring, and Consistently Kind
One of the most remarkable things about Mrs. Smith is her calm and caring demeanor. Teaching fifth grade can be a challenge; it’s an age where students are balancing childhood and growing independence. But Mrs. Smith meets her students where they are, with patience that never seems to run out. She has an incredible gift for de-escalating conflicts and helping students navigate their emotions. Her calm presence has a ripple effect — it helps her students stay grounded and helps her colleagues feel supported as well.
Students know they can go to her with anything — whether it’s a problem with homework, a disagreement with a friend, or something happening at home. She listens, truly listens, and her empathy makes every child feel seen and valued. Mrs. Smith often says that every student who walks through her door deserves to feel like they belong, and she means it. She greets each one by name, remembers details about their interests and families, and celebrates their unique personalities. Her classroom is a safe space, not just for learning, but for growing up.
Inspiring Students to Aim High
Mrs. Smith has a quiet but powerful way of inspiring her students to aim high — not through pressure or fear of failure, but through encouragement and belief. She sees potential in every child, even when they don’t yet see it in themselves. Many of her students will tell you that she helped them believe they could do more than they thought possible. I am one of those students. Because of Mrs. Smith, I learned to challenge myself, to work hard, and to take pride in my accomplishments. She never lets her students settle for “good enough.” Instead, she helps them discover that learning is a lifelong journey, and that effort, curiosity, and kindness are what truly lead to success.
Mrs. Smith understands that every student learns differently, and she tailors her teaching to meet those needs. She differentiates her lessons so that each child can succeed in their own way. She doesn’t just measure success through grades, but through growth. When a student finally understands a difficult concept or shows newfound confidence, Mrs. Smith celebrates those victories with genuine joy. She has a way of turning small steps into milestones, making every child feel like a winner in their own story.
Leadership Beyond the Classroom
What makes Mrs. Smith even more extraordinary is that her influence extends far beyond her own classroom. As an assistant principal at Copper View Elementary, she plays a vital leadership role in the school community. She supports teachers, helps guide school programs, and works to create a positive and inclusive environment for everyone — students, staff, and parents alike. Even with her additional responsibilities, she never loses sight of what matters most: the students.
Her dual role allows her to bridge leadership and teaching in a way that benefits the entire school. She leads by example, showing her colleagues what it means to balance professionalism, empathy, and excellence. When challenges arise, Mrs. Smith is often the first person people turn to for advice or support. She approaches every situation with fairness, thoughtfulness, and integrity. Whether she’s mentoring a new teacher, meeting with parents, or planning school-wide events, she does everything with the same level of care that she brings to her classroom.
Building a Culture of Respect and Belonging
Under Mrs. Smith’s guidance, her classroom and her school have become models of respect and belonging. She emphasizes kindness as much as academics. Her students learn early that being smart is important, but being kind is essential. She builds lessons around teamwork, empathy, and understanding. Group projects in her class are designed not only to teach academic concepts but also to strengthen communication and collaboration skills. Students learn to appreciate each other’s strengths and to see differences as opportunities to learn.
Mrs. Smith also works tirelessly to make sure that every family feels connected to the school community. She communicates regularly with parents and guardians, celebrating successes and addressing challenges with honesty and compassion. Parents often describe her as approachable, trustworthy, and deeply invested in their children’s well-being. For many families, she has become a lifelong ally — someone who has walked alongside them through the ups and downs of elementary school life.
The Heart of Copper View Elementary
Every school has someone who serves as its heartbeat — the person whose presence makes everything feel a little more connected, a little more hopeful. At Copper View Elementary, that person is Stacey Smith. She embodies the values the school stands for: respect, responsibility, curiosity, and community. Her students see her as both a role model and a friend. Her colleagues see her as a leader who lifts others up. And her administrators see her as an irreplaceable part of what makes their school thrive.
When visitors walk into Copper View Elementary, they often notice the calm, positive energy that fills the halls. That atmosphere doesn’t happen by accident. It is shaped, in large part, by educators like Mrs. Smith — educators who model patience, promote kindness, and believe deeply in the power of education to change lives. Her influence reaches every corner of the building, from the classrooms to the playground, from staff meetings to school assemblies. She leads with grace and humility, reminding everyone that education is about people first.
A Legacy of Excellence and Compassion
Over thirteen years of teaching, Mrs. Smith has helped countless students not only master the skills they need for middle school and beyond, but also build the confidence and compassion to face the world. Her legacy can be seen in the students who come back to visit, the families who still speak of her fondly years later, and the colleagues who continue to learn from her example. She has a way of making everyone around her better — not because she demands it, but because she inspires it.
Mrs. Smith’s work is a reminder of what teaching is truly about. It’s not just about lessons or tests; it’s about relationships, growth, and transformation. It’s about showing children that they matter, that they are capable, and that they can make a difference. Stacey Smith embodies all of those ideals. Her career is a testament to what happens when dedication meets heart.
The Power of Inspiration
For me personally, Mrs. Smith has been one of the greatest influences in my education. She didn’t just help me get better grades; she helped me become a better person. She taught me that effort matters, that challenges are opportunities, and that kindness is never wasted. When I doubted myself, she reminded me that I could do hard things. When I struggled, she helped me find my way back with encouragement and understanding. Because of her, I learned to set higher goals and to believe in my ability to reach them. The lessons she taught me extend far beyond the classroom walls — they are lessons I carry with me every day.
Why She Deserves This Honor
Stacey Smith deserves to be recognized as Teacher of the Year because she represents everything that is best about education. She is patient without being passive, kind without being lenient, and firm without ever losing empathy. She balances her roles as teacher and assistant principal with grace, always putting students at the center of every decision. Her ability to inspire both children and adults is unmatched. She makes learning joyful, challenges achievable, and kindness contagious.
In an age where education faces many challenges — from technology distractions to academic pressures — Mrs. Smith remains a steady, guiding presence. She reminds everyone around her that teaching is not just a profession, but a calling. She is the kind of teacher every parent hopes their child will have, the kind of colleague every educator wishes to work beside, and the kind of leader every school needs.
Conclusion: A Teacher Who Changes Lives
When people talk about what makes a great teacher, they often mention knowledge, organization, or creativity. Stacey Smith has all of those qualities in abundance. But what truly sets her apart is her heart. She teaches with compassion. She leads with integrity. And she lives out the values she instills in her students every single day. Her calm presence, her unwavering dedication, and her genuine love for children have made an immeasurable difference in the lives of everyone she has taught or worked with.
For thirteen years, Mrs. Smith has been shaping young minds, strengthening her school, and inspiring her community. The impact she has made cannot be captured by test scores or report cards — it lives in the confidence of her students, the gratitude of their families, and the respect of her peers. She has shown what it truly means to educate the heart as well as the mind.
For all these reasons — her excellence as a teacher, her compassion as a leader, and her inspiration as a human being — I wholeheartedly nominate Stacey Smith for Teacher of the Year. She is the embodiment of what education should be: thoughtful, caring, and life-changing. Copper View Elementary, its students, and its entire community are better because of her, and her legacy of kindness and excellence will continue to shine for years to come.