Chandler Unified instructor chosen for Gaydos & Chad teacher award

PHOENIX – An East Valley instructor who has impressed parents with her availability, humor and love for her students has been named KTAR New 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad Show’s Pay Tribute to a Teacher award for January.

Maryann Eberhart at Santan Elementary School in the Chandler Unified School District was surprised with the $2,500 cash prize, presented by Your Valley Toyota Dealers.

“It’s been a little rough but I love my kids,” the sixth-grade teacher said of the coronavirus restrictions that has made virtual learning the new normal for students.

The school recently returned to in-person learning but Eberhart had made herself available online after school hours, too, which allowed the children to visit with one another.

“Some of my kids just stay online at the end of the day and just chat and giggle. They just want to see each other,” she said.

The parent who nominated Eberhart wrote, “Being virtual can be difficult for students, teachers and parents. Mrs. Eberhart understands this so she goes above and beyond to make sure she is available all the time.

Eberhart said she hit a wall when it was unclear when classrooms would reopen.

“I could just see the kids dropping off and I couldn’t get them back. I just felt like I was starting to fail them,” she said.

But she didn’t give up.

Eberhart said wanted to use part of the money to throw a party for her students at the end of the school year.

“Something fun. That would be awesome.”

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