PHOENIX – The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) has announced 10 finalists for the 2010 Arizona Teacher of the Year program...(read more) Story: Arizona Educational Foundation Announces Candidates for 2010 Arizona Teacher of the Year GILBERT – While Gilbert may be thought of as a fairly new and vibrant East Valley community, there’s one local elementary school that has established an impressive long-term reputation amidst the city’s rapid growth and changing landscape...(read more) Story: Patterson Elementary School Receives A+ Certification from the Arizona Educational Foundation YUMA - Yuma High Criminals proved that a little school spirit goes a long way as one of their activity clubs raised more than $2,500 for charity on homecoming weekend...(read more) Story: Yuma High FBLA give from the heart COTTONWOOD - A water-use audit and water-saving project has earned five Cottonwood Middle School students the Governor's Excellence in Rural Development Award...(read more) Story: Gilbert program gives young scientists a jump on their future Students’ welding skills and creativity put to good use Welding teacher Pete Acosta and his students are putting their skills to good use to create centerpieces for an upcoming fundraiser. Acosta and his students are creating a variety of different beautiful metal centerpieces, including flowers, animals, and even a ferris wheel that turns! The centerpieces will adorn the tables at the EVIT Education Foundation's annual gourmet breakfast fundraiser. The centerpieces will be auctioned off and the money will go toward scholarships for students. The breakfast will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Nov. 4 in the EVIT culinary arts building.   Ask your friends and colleagues to log onto www.azschoolsmakeadifference.org and sign up to receive our weekly newsletter. They will be one of the first to hear about good things happening in public education around the state.   We are looking for impressive stories about how Arizona's teachers, students and schools are making a difference every day. Log onto www.azschoolsmakeadifference.org and submit your stories.