Queen Creek teacher wins Mac & Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher

PHOENIX — A teacher at an elementary school in the southeast Valley has been named the latest recipient of KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher award.

Nancy Madriaga, a fourth-grade math teacher at Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary School in Queen Creek, was awarded $1,000 for being dedicated to her students and her profession.

Madriaga transforms her classroom to look like a pizzeria, bakery and other places, as well as holds different events such as cookouts and a red carpet affair.

“For the whole month of December, she transforms her classroom into a magical place for her students, giving them the chance to believe even if it’s just for the moment,” the nominator said.

Before she taught at the elementary school, Madriaga used to teach homeless children at Thomas J. Pappas School in Phoenix.

Her nominator wrote that Madriaga spends all her extra money to make her classroom so great.

“She has an amazing classroom, but I know she is in need of items such as new bookshelves, dry-erase boards and math games,” the letter said.

“By winning $1,000 it would allow her to get these things. I want everyone to know what an amazing teacher she is and that what she does matters and is noticed!”

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