Mesa elementary school teacher wins Gaydos and Chad’s teacher tribute
Sep 16, 2022, 6:00 PM | Updated: Oct 12, 2022, 11:32 am
PHOENIX — An East Valley school teacher was named KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad Show’s Pay Tribute to a Teacher winner for August, presented by Your Valley Toyota Dealers.
Samantha Kaye Sarabia teaches 6th grade math at Eisenhower Center for Innovation in Mesa. Her passion for teaching and giving to her students prompted one letter writer to nominate her for the $2,500 prize.
She implements “brain breaks” in her class, a strategy used to give students a short amount of time away from academics.
Sarabia’s students dance and are awarded for their best efforts, adding that it helps them relax and feel better prior to their next learning session.
Because the elementary school teacher is passionate about teaching, she said most of the money she won will go toward the school.
“I’d probably take a trip to the beach and go hangout there … I’m just a simple person. I literally just love teaching, and that’s my whole life,” Sarabia said.
Since Eisenhower is a Title I school (socio-economically disadvantaged), she feels “the kids deserve my things. It restores my soul to give to my students.”
