Scottsdale middle school teacher wins Mac & Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher

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

Kelly Groff, a special education teacher at Desert Shadows Middle School in Scottsdale, was awarded $1,000 for being dedicated to her students and her profession.

According to Groff’s website, she has been teaching at Desert Shadows for several years after coming to Arizona from the Midwest.

Groff’s nominator said students’ admiration for her “goes beyond the classroom.”

“As a teacher myself, I know how hard it can be to teach these days. I cannot fathom how she arrives to school every day with a smile on her face,” they said.

The nominator also said Groff makes each of her students feel important or successful at school, no matter their obstacles.

“She recognizes each students’ individual needs and never fails to give them the attention/support they need, especially at such a pivotal time in their life.

“Middle school is hard enough, but for a student who in a special ed it tends to be a little more difficult to fit in socially. Mrs. Groff is a great teacher and fully deserves to be recognize, (sic) as one!”

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.