Buckeye coach, special needs teacher wins Bruce and Gaydos’ monthly teacher tribute award

PHOENIX — A special needs teacher in Buckeye was named KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos‘ Pay Tribute to a Teacher winner for April.

The monthly Teacher Tribute award, which is presented by Your Valley Toyota Dealers, went to Donn Duplain, who teaches ninth through 12th grades at Verrado High School in Buckeye.

“I teach a program focused around students with autism,” Duplain told KTAR News last week.

It’s called the STRIDE program. The acronym stands for structured teaching, research-based, inclusion, data-driven, education program. It’s all about including kids with autism in as many classes as possible.

“What we try to do is get these students out there and get in jobs once they graduate high school,” Duplain said. “That’s my specialty.”

Winner of Pay Tribute to a Teacher explains how he started

His wife, who previously was a special needs teacher, started him down his path.

“I started this program about 15 years ago. I had to figure out what I was going to do,” Duplain said. “I first started at Verrado High School as a football coach. And then I became a special educator. I got my masters in special ed, focusing on students with autism.”

He said it’s rewarding to help children come out of their shells.

“The biggest reason I started this was I didn’t want these kids sitting on a couch when they’re 20 years old,” Duplain said. “I want them out there working and being part of the community.”

Why Buckeye coach, teacher was nominated for Teacher Tribute award

The person who nominated him for the award was a mother whose daughter has taken his class for four years.

“My daughter went into high school melting down all the time, unsure of herself,” the mother said. “She’s now more confident and loves school. She never wants to miss out because of coach. He is an inspiration and does so much for his students.”

Duplain said hearing that he’s done so much for her daughter was touching.

“It’s the best gift ever. I tell you what, you know, it makes me cry,” Duplain said.

Want to nominate a teacher for the Teacher Tribute award? Submissions are accepted here.

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