Mac & Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher honors Mesa special ed teacher

PHOENIX — A longtime Mesa special ed teacher was named the latest honoree of Mac & Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher, a program that rewards teachers from around the area for their hard work and dedication.

Anne Leroy has been teaching special ed at Stapley Junior High School for 24 years. The father of one of her students was so impressed by her work with his son, who has autism, that he nominated her for the award.

For her hard work, she was awarded $1,000 as part of the KTAR News 92.3 FM program. She was one of four teachers to be awarded through the program in May.

“He went from an average student with sensory and social issues to a 4.0 National Junior Honor Society student who now has the confidence to navigate the social and academic endeavors of junior high. … Anne has shown autism doesn’t limit your dreams. My son feels like he can conquer the world. Thank you for making a difference Anne Leroy,” the parent wrote in his nominating letter.

Leroy said she would put the money toward buying one or two virtual reality headsets to be used in her classroom.

“I think it will just make lessons more exciting,” she said.

Editor’s note: To nominate a teacher having an impact on your or your children’s lives, text the word “teacher” to 411923.