Julia Wright 
December 12, 2023 — Since the beginning, Monica Martinez always found her passion in learning. As a born-and-raised Arizonan, she spent much of her career cultivating a love for her community. After graduating from the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College in Tempe, she found herself at the Peoria Unified School District — the same district she … Read more
Scottsdale, ARIZONA – November 20, 2023 – The Arizona Council on Economic Education (ACEE) proudly marked its 50th anniversary during the vibrant festivities of the 10th annual Champions in Education event held on November 17th. The dynamic celebration, adorned with a Back to the Future 80s theme, drew the attendance of hundreds of Arizona’s prominent … Read more
The Arizona Council on Education’s 10th Annual Champions in Education Gala was an 80s-fueled success, blending nostalgia with dedication. Powered by enthusiastic supporters, Aqua Net, and shoulder pads, the event celebrated Educators of the Year finalists for their outstanding contributions to education. The night, reminiscent of a time-traveling adventure, left attendees with unforgettable memories and … Read more
Q: How did your family and culture influence who you are today? My Dine’ heritage highlights the utmost importance of family and community values. This has motivated me to pursue further education, with the goal of making a more meaningful contribution to tribal communities, while also providing a strong framework for nurturing enduring connections with … Read more
Q: How did your family and culture influence who you are today? I am very proud of my Mexican American heritage with Southern California roots. My husband, Craig Echeveste, and I raised our family here in Phoenix. My grandmothers (one who traveled from Guanajuato, Mexico in the 1900s and the other born and raised in Globe/Miami, Arizona) faced adversity and … Read more
ACEE Director of Teacher Programs, Teresa Mungai, has been honored with the “Friend of AzGA Award” by the Arizona Geographic Alliance (AzGA) for her exceptional contributions to geography education in Arizona. Teresa, in her roles at the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the Arizona Council of Economic Education, has been instrumental in expanding the … Read more
Q: How did your family and culture influence who you are today? My parents work ethic to give me everything I have and put me in a situation to succeed is something I can never repay. It gave me the blueprint of what I need to continue to do to keep succeeding. Hispanic culture is … Read more
Q: How did your family and culture influence who you are today? Living in Mexico for part of my childhood allowed me to be close to family and grow up learning and understanding our Mexican culture. Some parts of our culture bring us close together as a family like the love and appreciation for food … Read more
Q: How did your family and culture influence who you are today? My Hispanic background has profoundly influenced who I am today by emphasizing the significance of food, family, connection, and music. Growing up, I was exposed to a rich tapestry of flavors and recipes passed down through generations. Our tight-knit extended family has always … Read more
Initiative promotes student financial literacy at Peoria Unified Centennial High School freshman athlete Frankie Martinez is spearheading an initiative to promote financial literacy among his peers in the Peoria Unified School District. Martinez and a group of Centennial football athletes will share their knowledge with the Glendale, Arizona Cactus High School Fall Athletics program and … Read more
