2025-06-25T15:38:58-04:00 2024-09-30 821455657 FESTER & CHAPMAN PLLC 9019 E BAHIA DR STE 100 SCOTTSDALE AZ 85260 990 2023-10-01 942937109 ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC ARIZ 4804219376 PO BOX 32906 PHOENIX AZ 85064 STEPHEN JORDAN TREASURER 4804219376 2025-06-25 true false RACHEL LOCKE CPA P00450405 6022643077 2025-06-25 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X KIM GRAHAM 326 E CORONADO RD STE 207 PHOENIX AZ 85004 980070 false X WWW.AZEDFOUNDATION.ORG X 1983 AZ TO CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE AND CULTIVATE EQUITY IN PREK-12TH GRADE ARIZONA PUBLIC EDUCATION. 18 18 5 75 0 817514 974512 0 3912 2044 73106 2215 894532 978771 17574 28575 0 378801 477885 0 6557 497952 604518 894327 1110978 205 -132207 1719027 2019462 64354 274962 1654673 1744500 X TO CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE AND CULTIVATE EQUITY IN PREK-12TH GRADE ARIZONA PUBLIC EDUCATION. false false 165164 NOW IN ITS 42 YEAR, THE AEF ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM ANNUALLY SELECTS ARIZONA'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND RECOGNIZES AN ADDITIONAL FOURTEEN PREK-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, ALL OF WHOM ARE EXCEPTIONALLY SKILLED, TALENTED AND DEDICATED. TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES ARE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM ACROSS ARIZONA WHO HAVE GAINED THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND CO-WORKERS. THEY PLAY AN ACTIVE AND USEFUL ROLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS THEIR SCHOOLS, DISTINGUISHING THEMSELVES AS LEADERS. THE WINNER OF THE ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES ON TO BECOME ARIZONA'S CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR. AEF DISBURSES A TOTAL OF 40,000 TO THE TOP 10 TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS AND SEMIFINALISTS AND AN ADDITIONAL 250 IN AMAZON GIFT CARDS TO FIVE HONORABLE MENTIONS. THE WINNER RECEIVES 15,000 AND OTHER PRIZES. AS ARIZONA'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR, THIS INDIVIDUAL TRAVELS TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO MEET THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL SPACE CAMP IN HUNTSVILLE, AL, WITH STATE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR FROM ACROSS THE NATION. THE NEXT FOUR RUNNERS-UP, CALLED "AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE," RECEIVE 5,000 EACH; EACH OF THE REMAINING FIVE SEMIFINALISTS RECEIVES 1,000. THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND AMBASSADORS UNDERGO PROFESSIONAL SPEECH AND MEDIA TRAINING, GIVING THEM THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO ADVOCATE EFFECTIVELY FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND ACT AS SPOKESPERSONS FOR THE TEACHING PROFESSION. COMBINED, THE ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND AMBASSADORS TYPICALLY MAKE IN EXCESS OF 100 PRESENTATIONS DURING THEIR YEARLONG TENURE. PRESENTATIONS ARE MADE TO GROUPS OF CIVIC LEADERS, PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS, CURRENT TEACHERS, SCHOOL BOARDS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, BUSINESS LEADERS, LEGISLATORS, GOVERNMENT LEADERS, AND STUDENTS. AWARD-WINNING TEACHERS SERVE ON STATEWIDE TASK FORCES, ADVISORY PANELS AND SERVE AS A RESOURCE TO STATE EDUCATION POLICY- MAKERS. AEF COVERS SUBSTITUTE TEACHER COSTS FOR THESE TEACHERS WHEN THEY ARE AWAY FROM THEIR CLASSROOMS. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION HAS RECEIVED OVER 500 NOMINATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION FROM URBAN, SUBURBAN, RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS. ALL TEACHER CANDIDATES SUBMIT AN IN-DEPTH APPLICATION DETAILING THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, THEIR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND THEIR PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING. CANDIDATES MUST IDENTIFY AND DISCUSS EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AND TRENDS, OFFER AN EVALUATION OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION AND INDICATE WHAT THEIR MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC MIGHT BE AS AN ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION. EACH APPLICATION IS REVIEWED AND SCORED BY A PANEL OF JUDGES CONSISTING OF EDUCATORS AND LEADERS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. FROM THE WRITTEN APPLICATIONS, THE PANEL SELECTS 15 QUARTERFINALISTS. ALL FIFTEEN ENGAGE IN A VIDEO ROUND, WHICH NARROWS THE SELECTION DOWN TO 5 QUARTERFINALISTS AND 10 SEMIFINALISTS. THE PANEL THEN INTERVIEWS ALL TEN SEMIFINALISTS AND OBSERVES THEM TEACHING IN THEIR CLASSROOMS VIA VIDEO RECORDING. THE SELECTION PROCESS YIELDS THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, FOUR AMBASSADORS AND FIVE SEMIFINALISTS. ONCE THE TOP 5 CANDIDATES ARE IDENTIFIED, AEF PREPARES AND PRODUCES A SHORT VIDEO OF EACH OF THE 5 CANDIDATES, WHICH IS SHOWN AT THE ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS CELEBRATION WHEN THE WINNER IS ANNOUNCED. THE AWARDS CEREMONY ATTRACTS NEARLY 600 EDUCATION AND CORPORATE LEADERS, BECOMING THE ONLY STATEWIDE EVENT THAT FOCUSES SOLELY ON TEACHERS AND CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION. 56547 18500 THE AEF A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM IS A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL RECOGNITION PROGRAM THAT BEGAN 42 YEARS AGO. THROUGH THE PROGRAM, AEF IDENTIFIES, RECOGNIZES AND REWARDS PRE- KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT ARIZONA THAT DEMONSTRATE EXCELLENCE IN EVERY ASPECT OF EDUCATION: STUDENT FOCUS AND SUPPORT; SCHOOL ORGANIZATION AND CULTURE; CHALLENGING AND VIABLE CURRICULUM; ACTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING; PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY; LEADERSHIP; COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS; AND ASSESSMENT. PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN ARIZONA THAT HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FOR SIX OR MORE YEARS AND RECEIVED A GRADE OF "A- OR "B" FROM THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS, WELL-KNOWN, AND COVETED AWARD. THE PROCESS NECESSITATES THAT THE SCHOOL COMPLETE AND SUBMIT A 35-TO-40-PAGE DETAILED APPLICATION, WHICH IS READ, REVIEWED AND EVALUATED BY A PANEL OF LEADERS FROM THE EDUCATION AND BUSINESS COMMUNITIES. SCHOOLS WHOSE WRITTEN APPLICATIONS QUALIFY FOR IT RECEIVE A DAY-AND-A-HALF-LONG SITE VISIT FROM MEMBERS OF A REVIEW COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE IF THE AWARD IS WARRANTED. THE A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION IS VALID FOR FOUR YEARS, AFTER WHICH TIME A SCHOOL MUST RE-APPLY. AEF CONDUCTS INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS ACROSS ARIZONA EACH FALL TO INTRODUCE SCHOOLS TO AND ACQUAINT THEM WITH THE PROGRAM, GIVE INSIGHT ON WRITING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION, AND ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO APPLY FOR THE AWARD. SCHOOLS USE THE COVETED A+ SCHOOL DISTINCTION AS A RECRUITING TOOL FOR NEW STUDENTS AND CIVIC LEADERS USE IT AS A WAY TO LURE INDUSTRY TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES. SINCE 1991, OVER 800 SCHOOLS RANGING FROM URBAN AND SUBURBAN SCHOOLS TO RURAL AND SMALLER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO A SCHOOL LOCATED ON THE NAVAJO RESERVATION HAVE EARNED THE DESIGNATION. THE A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM PROVIDES AN OBJECTIVE, COMPREHENSIVE, AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT OF APPLICANT SCHOOLS. AWARDED SCHOOL LEADERS PROFESS THAT EARNING THE AWARD ENABLES SCHOOLS TO COLLABORATE WITH THE COMMUNITY THEY SERVE IN ORDER TO ARTICULATE, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, MODIFY AND IMPROVE EVERY ASPECT RELATED TO THE EDUCATION AND CARE OF THEIR STUDENTS. THE PROCESS SERVES AS A SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND A NEEDS ASSESSMENT TOOL. THE COVETED AWARD VALIDATES A SCHOOL'S EFFECTIVENESS, UNIFIES THE COMMUNITY, BRINGS POSITIVE PUBLIC ATTENTION TO SUCCESSES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND INSTILLS A SENSE OF PRIDE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. AWARDED SCHOOLS ENCOURAGE FELLOW EDUCATORS, PARENTS AND BUSINESSES TO VISIT THEIR SCHOOLS; THEY SERVE AS MODELS OF EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES. A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PRINCIPALS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME MENTORS AND COACHES TO EMERGING SCHOOL LEADERS THROUGH AEF'S PRINCIPALS' LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (SEE DESCRIPTION BELOW). 34305 2225 THE AEF ARIZONA STATE SPELLING BEE IS ADMINISTERED BY AEF TO DETERMINE ARIZONA'S REPRESENTATIVE IN THE ANNUAL SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE IN WASHINGTON D.C. SPELLING BEES GIVE STUDENTS FROM PUBLIC, PRIVATE, CHARTER AND HOME SCHOOLS AN OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE THEIR SPELLING AND PHONETIC SKILLS IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN HIGHER LEVEL BEES. SPELLING BEES GIVE STUDENTS WHO MIGHT NOT EXCEL IN MORE TRADITIONAL COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS SPORTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE. ON AVERAGE, OVER 500,000 ARIZONA STUDENTS STATEWIDE IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHT COMPETE IN CLASSROOM, SCHOOL, DISTRICT, AND COUNTY BEES TO QUALIFY AS ONE OF 28 FINALISTS IN THE STATE BEE. AEF WORKS YEAR-ROUND WITH SCHOOL, DISTRICT, REGIONAL AND COUNTY COORDINATORS ACROSS ARIZONA TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY AND FAIRNESS IN DETERMINING WHICH 28 SPELLERS WILL VIE FOR THE TITLE OF ARIZONA STATE SPELLING BEE CHAMPION. THE WINNER AND CHAPERONE RECEIVE AN ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C., SO ARIZONA'S CHAMPION CAN COMPETE IN THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE IN LATE SPRING. 741581 7850 TEACHSTEM IS A WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAM AIMED AT COMBATING THE ARIZONA STEM TEACHER SHORTAGE. THE PROGRAM MOTIVATES 9TH-12TH GRADE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BECOME STEM TEACHERS AND ALSO PROVIDES TEACHING RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS IN GRADES 5TH-8TH TO INFUSE CLASSROOMS WITH STEM SKILLS BY INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO A VARIETY OF STEM CAREERS. AEF PAIRS AN ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND OTHER MASTER STEM EDUCATORS WITH A HIGH SCHOOL TO SERVE AS A STEM COACH TO NOT ONLY TEACH STUDENTS VITAL STEM LEARNING SKILLS, BUT ALSO WORK WITH THEM ON BECOMING STEM TEACHERS. THE FIRST TIME MOST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT STEM IS THROUGH A TEACHER; YET, WITH STEM TEACHER SHORTAGES PLAGUING ALMOST EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN ARIZONA, OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN FROM AND INTERACT WITH STEM EDUCATORS ARE GROWING FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. TEACHSTEM IS FOSTERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEM TEACHERS FOR ARIZONA SCHOOLS. THE PROGRAM ALSO UTILIZES STEM SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WHO ARE GUEST SPEAKERS AND TALK WITH STUDENTS ABOUT STEM CAREERS. THE PRINCIPALS' LEADERSHIP ACADEMY OF ARIZONA (PLAA) WAS LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER 2008, IN RESPONSE TO A STRONG DEMAND STATEWIDE FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCHOOL LEADERS IN ARIZONA. WITH ITS WEALTH OF EXPERT PRINCIPALS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM, AEF IS WELL-POSITIONED TO FORMULATE AND DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL ACADEMY. PLAA CURRICULUM IS GROUNDED IN THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPED NATIONALLY BY MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL POLICY BOARD FOR EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND EDUCATION EXPERTS ASSEMBLED BY THE COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS BASED IN WASHINGTON DC. NOW IN ITS 16TH YEAR, THE PLAA COHORT COMPRISES NEW AND ASPIRING PRINCIPALS FROM ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY PUBLIC TRADITIONAL AND CHARTER SCHOOLS. PARTICIPANTS ARE PAIRED WITH A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PRINCIPALS WHO MENTOR AND ASSIST THEM WITH DEVELOPING THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS. CLASSES ARE HELD ON SEVEN SATURDAYS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. INSTRUCTION IS A RICH BLEND OF PRACTICE AND THEORY. CLASS SESSIONS CONSIST OF DIRECT INSTRUCTION AND EXPERT SPEAKERS TO INFORM PARTICIPANTS ON TOPICS SUCH AS: COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOLS; DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING A POSITIVE CULTURE OF LEARNING; WHAT OUTSTANDING TEACHERS NEED FROM THEIR ADMINISTRATORS; COMMUNICATION SKILLS; ADVOCATING EFFECTIVELY FOR A SCHOOL COMMUNITY; AND DEALING WITH PUBLIC POLICY MAKERS. TO DATE, OVER 265 SCHOOL LEADERS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PLAA. AEF COLLABORATES WITH THREE OTHER EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS IN ARIZONA TO LAUNCH THE TAKE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO SCHOOL PROGRAM. THIS INITIATIVE IDENTIFIES AWARD-WINNING TEACHERS AND TEACHER LEADERS, PAIRING THEM WITH ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATORS WHO FROM THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THEIR SCHOOL IS SITUATED. TEACHER HOSTS INVITE THEIR LEGISLATOR TO SHADOW THEM FOR A DAY IN THEIR CLASSROOM. GOALS FOR THE PROGRAM ARE (A) TO GIVE THE ELECTED OFFICIAL A GLIMPSE INTO A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ARIZONA TEACHER AND (B) TO FORMULATE AND FOSTER A SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TEACHER AND THE LEGISLATOR. SINCE IT'S INCEPTION, THE TAKE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO SCHOOL PROGRAM HAS RESULTED IN NEARLY 426 VISITS BY LEGISLATORS TO TEACHERS' CLASSROOMS. IT IS THE HOPE OF AEF THAT EVENTUALLY ALL 90 OF ARIZONA'S LEGISLATORS WILL HAVE A TEACHER PARTNER, AND THAT 90 VISITS WILL OCCUR EACH YEAR. 741581 7850 997597 true true false false false false false false false true true false false true true false false false false false false false false false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 49 0 true 5 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 18 18 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION 4804219376 2100 N CENTRAL AVENUE SUITE 212 PHOENIX AZ 85004 KIM GRAHAM CEO 40.00 X 131829 0 6000 CHRISTI WARNER BEYER DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MICHELLE BUGH-DOHERTY DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 JODI CHESBRO DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 WASHINGTON COVENA DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 SUZANNE DURKIN-BIGHORN DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 LINDY GAUDIANO DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MARJANEH GILPATRICK VICE PRESIDE 2.00 X X 0 0 0 MATTHEW HESKETH VICE PRESIDE 2.00 X X 0 0 0 HEATHER HORROCKS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 STEPHEN JORDAN TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DEEA MCBRIDE SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 AMY MOORE DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MARIO MUZUROVIC DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 JEREMY NELSON DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC RODRIGUEZ DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 PAM ROGGEMAN PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 COLLEEN SAUER DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 GRANT SMEDLEY DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MADELINE WINNEY DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 131829 6000 1 false false false 83301 125600 765611 974512 2044 2044 83301 1299 -1299 MISCELLANEOUS 3514 3514 3514 978771 3514 2044 X 28575 28575 137829 124046 13783 286180 257562 28618 5503 5503 12346 1375 10971 36027 32424 3603 5739 5739 375184 375184 41023 38467 2556 26881 23381 3500 47787 29340 18447 36154 36154 3281 2474 807 2716 2716 19274 19274 MEMBERSHIP FEES 21885 21885 PAYROLL SERVICE FEE 8305 8305 REIMBURSED FEES 7999 7999 MEALS 4508 4508 3782 3202 79 501 1110978 997597 106824 6557 262070 340564 36200 13997 9147 67565 2714 64851 1442960 1384996 183704 1719027 2019462 18459 24757 45895 62668 187537 64354 274962 X 1654673 673726 1070774 1654673 1744500 1719027 2019462 X -132207 222036 -2 X true X false false X 490748 416116 879019 817514 974512 3577909 490748 416116 879019 817514 974512 3577909 3577909 299 680 1645 4407 2293 9324 3587233 282895 0.99740 0.99770 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1442960 222036 1384996 934904 107056 1442960 1173172 -238269 934904 976336 214378 17542 1173172 1003186 73149 100000 976336 1.00000 true false 29354 976 28378 38211 1738 36473 64851 ROU ASSET 183704 183704 ROU LIABILITY 187537 187537 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART V, LINE 4 PROVIDE CASH AWARDS TO ARIZONA SCHOOLS FOR RECOGNITION PROGRAMS. TEACHER THE YR 72648 72648 1299 TEE UP FORE TEA 10653 10653 83301 83301 1299 1299 -1299 false AWARDS 37 26350 2225 FORM 990, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 6 BOARD MEMBERS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME HELPING WITH SET-UP, REGISTRATION, LUNCH, ETC., AT THE AEF SPELLING BEE AND TEACHER OF THE YEAR. BOARD MEMBERS ALSO MAKE PRESENTATIONS AT A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD CEREMONIES. EDUCATORS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AS JUDGES FOR THE A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM, THE ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM AND THE POLLY ROSENBAUM WRITING CONTEST. PRINCIPALS OF A+ SCHOOLS MENTOR NEW AND ASPIRING PRINCIPALS THROUGH AEF'S PRINCIPALS' LEADERSHIP ACADEMY. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A NOW IN ITS 42 YEAR, THE AEF ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM ANNUALLY SELECTS ARIZONA'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND RECOGNIZES AN ADDITIONAL FOURTEEN PREK-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, ALL OF WHOM ARE EXCEPTIONALLY SKILLED, TALENTED AND DEDICATED. TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES ARE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM ACROSS ARIZONA WHO HAVE GAINED THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND CO-WORKERS. THEY PLAY AN ACTIVE AND USEFUL ROLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS THEIR SCHOOLS, DISTINGUISHING THEMSELVES AS LEADERS. THE WINNER OF THE ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES ON TO BECOME ARIZONA'S CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR. AEF DISBURSES A TOTAL OF 40,000 TO THE TOP 10 TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS AND SEMIFINALISTS AND AN ADDITIONAL 250 IN AMAZON GIFT CARDS TO FIVE HONORABLE MENTIONS. THE WINNER RECEIVES 15,000 AND OTHER PRIZES. AS ARIZONA'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR, THIS INDIVIDUAL TRAVELS TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO MEET THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL SPACE CAMP IN HUNTSVILLE, AL, WITH STATE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR FROM ACROSS THE NATION. THE NEXT FOUR RUNNERS-UP, CALLED "AMBASSADORS FOR EXCELLENCE," RECEIVE 5,000 EACH; EACH OF THE REMAINING FIVE SEMIFINALISTS RECEIVES 1,000. THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND AMBASSADORS UNDERGO PROFESSIONAL SPEECH AND MEDIA TRAINING, GIVING THEM THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO ADVOCATE EFFECTIVELY FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND ACT AS SPOKESPERSONS FOR THE TEACHING PROFESSION. COMBINED, THE ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND AMBASSADORS TYPICALLY MAKE IN EXCESS OF 100 PRESENTATIONS DURING THEIR YEARLONG TENURE. PRESENTATIONS ARE MADE TO GROUPS OF CIVIC LEADERS, PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS, CURRENT TEACHERS, SCHOOL BOARDS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, BUSINESS LEADERS, LEGISLATORS, GOVERNMENT LEADERS, AND STUDENTS. AWARD-WINNING TEACHERS SERVE ON STATEWIDE TASK FORCES, ADVISORY PANELS AND SERVE AS A RESOURCE TO STATE EDUCATION POLICY- MAKERS. AEF COVERS SUBSTITUTE TEACHER COSTS FOR THESE TEACHERS WHEN THEY ARE AWAY FROM THEIR CLASSROOMS. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION HAS RECEIVED OVER 500 NOMINATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION FROM URBAN, SUBURBAN, RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS. ALL TEACHER CANDIDATES SUBMIT AN IN-DEPTH APPLICATION DETAILING THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, THEIR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND THEIR PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING. CANDIDATES MUST IDENTIFY AND DISCUSS EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AND TRENDS, OFFER AN EVALUATION OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION AND INDICATE WHAT THEIR MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC MIGHT BE AS AN ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION. EACH APPLICATION IS REVIEWED AND SCORED BY A PANEL OF JUDGES CONSISTING OF EDUCATORS AND LEADERS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. FROM THE WRITTEN APPLICATIONS, THE PANEL SELECTS 15 QUARTERFINALISTS. ALL FIFTEEN ENGAGE IN A VIDEO ROUND, WHICH NARROWS THE SELECTION DOWN TO 5 QUARTERFINALISTS AND 10 SEMIFINALISTS. THE PANEL THEN INTERVIEWS ALL TEN SEMIFINALISTS AND OBSERVES THEM TEACHING IN THEIR CLASSROOMS VIA VIDEO RECORDING. THE SELECTION PROCESS YIELDS THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR, FOUR AMBASSADORS AND FIVE SEMIFINALISTS. ONCE THE TOP 5 CANDIDATES ARE IDENTIFIED, AEF PREPARES AND PRODUCES A SHORT VIDEO OF EACH OF THE 5 CANDIDATES, WHICH IS SHOWN AT THE ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS CELEBRATION WHEN THE WINNER IS ANNOUNCED. THE AWARDS CEREMONY ATTRACTS NEARLY 600 EDUCATION AND CORPORATE LEADERS, BECOMING THE ONLY STATEWIDE EVENT THAT FOCUSES SOLELY ON TEACHERS AND CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B THE AEF A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM IS A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL RECOGNITION PROGRAM THAT BEGAN 42 YEARS AGO. THROUGH THE PROGRAM, AEF IDENTIFIES, RECOGNIZES AND REWARDS PRE- KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT ARIZONA THAT DEMONSTRATE EXCELLENCE IN EVERY ASPECT OF EDUCATION: STUDENT FOCUS AND SUPPORT; SCHOOL ORGANIZATION AND CULTURE; CHALLENGING AND VIABLE CURRICULUM; ACTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING; PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY; LEADERSHIP; COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS; AND ASSESSMENT. PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN ARIZONA THAT HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FOR SIX OR MORE YEARS AND RECEIVED A GRADE OF "A- OR "B" FROM THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS, WELL-KNOWN, AND COVETED AWARD. THE PROCESS NECESSITATES THAT THE SCHOOL COMPLETE AND SUBMIT A 35-TO-40-PAGE DETAILED APPLICATION, WHICH IS READ, REVIEWED AND EVALUATED BY A PANEL OF LEADERS FROM THE EDUCATION AND BUSINESS COMMUNITIES. SCHOOLS WHOSE WRITTEN APPLICATIONS QUALIFY FOR IT RECEIVE A DAY-AND-A-HALF-LONG SITE VISIT FROM MEMBERS OF A REVIEW COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE IF THE AWARD IS WARRANTED. THE A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION IS VALID FOR FOUR YEARS, AFTER WHICH TIME A SCHOOL MUST RE-APPLY. AEF CONDUCTS INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS ACROSS ARIZONA EACH FALL TO INTRODUCE SCHOOLS TO AND ACQUAINT THEM WITH THE PROGRAM, GIVE INSIGHT ON WRITING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION, AND ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO APPLY FOR THE AWARD. SCHOOLS USE THE COVETED A+ SCHOOL DISTINCTION AS A RECRUITING TOOL FOR NEW STUDENTS AND CIVIC LEADERS USE IT AS A WAY TO LURE INDUSTRY TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES. SINCE 1991, OVER 800 SCHOOLS RANGING FROM URBAN AND SUBURBAN SCHOOLS TO RURAL AND SMALLER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TO A SCHOOL LOCATED ON THE NAVAJO RESERVATION HAVE EARNED THE DESIGNATION. THE A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM PROVIDES AN OBJECTIVE, COMPREHENSIVE, AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT OF APPLICANT SCHOOLS. AWARDED SCHOOL LEADERS PROFESS THAT EARNING THE AWARD ENABLES SCHOOLS TO COLLABORATE WITH THE COMMUNITY THEY SERVE IN ORDER TO ARTICULATE, ANALYZE, EVALUATE, MODIFY AND IMPROVE EVERY ASPECT RELATED TO THE EDUCATION AND CARE OF THEIR STUDENTS. THE PROCESS SERVES AS A SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND A NEEDS ASSESSMENT TOOL. THE COVETED AWARD VALIDATES A SCHOOL'S EFFECTIVENESS, UNIFIES THE COMMUNITY, BRINGS POSITIVE PUBLIC ATTENTION TO SUCCESSES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND INSTILLS A SENSE OF PRIDE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. AWARDED SCHOOLS ENCOURAGE FELLOW EDUCATORS, PARENTS AND BUSINESSES TO VISIT THEIR SCHOOLS; THEY SERVE AS MODELS OF EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES. A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PRINCIPALS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME MENTORS AND COACHES TO EMERGING SCHOOL LEADERS THROUGH AEF'S PRINCIPALS' LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (SEE DESCRIPTION BELOW). FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C THE AEF ARIZONA STATE SPELLING BEE IS ADMINISTERED BY AEF TO DETERMINE ARIZONA'S REPRESENTATIVE IN THE ANNUAL SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE IN WASHINGTON D.C. SPELLING BEES GIVE STUDENTS FROM PUBLIC, PRIVATE, CHARTER AND HOME SCHOOLS AN OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE THEIR SPELLING AND PHONETIC SKILLS IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN HIGHER LEVEL BEES. SPELLING BEES GIVE STUDENTS WHO MIGHT NOT EXCEL IN MORE TRADITIONAL COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS SPORTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE. ON AVERAGE, OVER 500,000 ARIZONA STUDENTS STATEWIDE IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHT COMPETE IN CLASSROOM, SCHOOL, DISTRICT, AND COUNTY BEES TO QUALIFY AS ONE OF 28 FINALISTS IN THE STATE BEE. AEF WORKS YEAR-ROUND WITH SCHOOL, DISTRICT, REGIONAL AND COUNTY COORDINATORS ACROSS ARIZONA TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY AND FAIRNESS IN DETERMINING WHICH 28 SPELLERS WILL VIE FOR THE TITLE OF ARIZONA STATE SPELLING BEE CHAMPION. THE WINNER AND CHAPERONE RECEIVE AN ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C., SO ARIZONA'S CHAMPION CAN COMPETE IN THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE IN LATE SPRING. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D TEACHSTEM IS A WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAM AIMED AT COMBATING THE ARIZONA STEM TEACHER SHORTAGE. THE PROGRAM MOTIVATES 9TH-12TH GRADE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BECOME STEM TEACHERS AND ALSO PROVIDES TEACHING RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS IN GRADES 5TH-8TH TO INFUSE CLASSROOMS WITH STEM SKILLS BY INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO A VARIETY OF STEM CAREERS. AEF PAIRS AN ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND OTHER MASTER STEM EDUCATORS WITH A HIGH SCHOOL TO SERVE AS A STEM COACH TO NOT ONLY TEACH STUDENTS VITAL STEM LEARNING SKILLS, BUT ALSO WORK WITH THEM ON BECOMING STEM TEACHERS. THE FIRST TIME MOST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT STEM IS THROUGH A TEACHER; YET, WITH STEM TEACHER SHORTAGES PLAGUING ALMOST EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN ARIZONA, OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN FROM AND INTERACT WITH STEM EDUCATORS ARE GROWING FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. TEACHSTEM IS FOSTERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEM TEACHERS FOR ARIZONA SCHOOLS. THE PROGRAM ALSO UTILIZES STEM SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WHO ARE GUEST SPEAKERS AND TALK WITH STUDENTS ABOUT STEM CAREERS. THE PRINCIPALS' LEADERSHIP ACADEMY OF ARIZONA (PLAA) WAS LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER 2008, IN RESPONSE TO A STRONG DEMAND STATEWIDE FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCHOOL LEADERS IN ARIZONA. WITH ITS WEALTH OF EXPERT PRINCIPALS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM, AEF IS WELL-POSITIONED TO FORMULATE AND DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL ACADEMY. PLAA CURRICULUM IS GROUNDED IN THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPED NATIONALLY BY MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL POLICY BOARD FOR EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND EDUCATION EXPERTS ASSEMBLED BY THE COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS BASED IN WASHINGTON DC. NOW IN ITS 16TH YEAR, THE PLAA COHORT COMPRISES NEW AND ASPIRING PRINCIPALS FROM ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY PUBLIC TRADITIONAL AND CHARTER SCHOOLS. PARTICIPANTS ARE PAIRED WITH A+ SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PRINCIPALS WHO MENTOR AND ASSIST THEM WITH DEVELOPING THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS. CLASSES ARE HELD ON SEVEN SATURDAYS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. INSTRUCTION IS A RICH BLEND OF PRACTICE AND THEORY. CLASS SESSIONS CONSIST OF DIRECT INSTRUCTION AND EXPERT SPEAKERS TO INFORM PARTICIPANTS ON TOPICS SUCH AS: COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOLS; DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING A POSITIVE CULTURE OF LEARNING; WHAT OUTSTANDING TEACHERS NEED FROM THEIR ADMINISTRATORS; COMMUNICATION SKILLS; ADVOCATING EFFECTIVELY FOR A SCHOOL COMMUNITY; AND DEALING WITH PUBLIC POLICY MAKERS. TO DATE, OVER 265 SCHOOL LEADERS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PLAA. AEF COLLABORATES WITH THREE OTHER EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS IN ARIZONA TO LAUNCH THE TAKE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO SCHOOL PROGRAM. THIS INITIATIVE IDENTIFIES AWARD-WINNING TEACHERS AND TEACHER LEADERS, PAIRING THEM WITH ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATORS WHO FROM THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THEIR SCHOOL IS SITUATED. TEACHER HOSTS INVITE THEIR LEGISLATOR TO SHADOW THEM FOR A DAY IN THEIR CLASSROOM. GOALS FOR THE PROGRAM ARE (A) TO GIVE THE ELECTED OFFICIAL A GLIMPSE INTO A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ARIZONA TEACHER AND (B) TO FORMULATE AND FOSTER A SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TEACHER AND THE LEGISLATOR. SINCE IT'S INCEPTION, THE TAKE YOUR LEGISLATOR TO SCHOOL PROGRAM HAS RESULTED IN NEARLY 426 VISITS BY LEGISLATORS TO TEACHERS' CLASSROOMS. IT IS THE HOPE OF AEF THAT EVENTUALLY ALL 90 OF ARIZONA'S LEGISLATORS WILL HAVE A TEACHER PARTNER, AND THAT 90 VISITS WILL OCCUR EACH YEAR. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B A COPY OF THE 990 WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRIOR TO SUBMISSION. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSISTENTLY REVIEWS THE BYLAWS PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY (ARTICLE X). IF THERE IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, THE CONFLICTED PARTY RECUSES HIMSELF OR HERSELF. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED ANNUALLY AT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RETREAT BY ALL THE TRUSTEES. IT IS BASED ON GOALS THAT ARE PREDETERMINED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B THE BOARD CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY AND PERFORMANCE AT ITS YEARLY RETREAT EACH FALL. FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SETS SALARIES FOR AEF'S OTHER FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES WITH AN AGREED UPON RANGED DETERMINED BY THE BOARD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 THE FORM 990 IS MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AND IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON GUIDESTAR. THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G PUBLIC RELATIONS 50 0 0 CONTRACTORS 370,009 0 0 SUBSTITUTE REIMBURSEMENT 1,775 0 0 MEAL & CATERING 3,350 0 0 TOTAL 375,184 0 0 FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 ROUNDING -2