Mesa elementary school teacher wins Gaydos and Chad’s teacher tribute

PHOENIX — A Mesa elementary school teacher has been named KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad Show’s Pay Tribute to a Teacher winner for June, presented by Your Valley Toyota Dealers.

Jeanna Boiarsky taught 4th grade at Las Sendas Elementary School in Mesa. While teaching, her dedication to her students made her stand out from others, prompting one person to nominate her for the $2,500 prize.

“This wonderful teacher always goes to her students sporting events, plays, recitals and most of all, instills confidence in children that have never liked school at all,” someone wrote in her submission letter.

Boiarsky is entering her 30th year of teaching, and she believes it is her calling.

“The kids are my priority. I love seeing them light up when they finally get what you’ve been trying to teach them or show them, but beyond that, I just feel like it’s my job to be in their corner,” Boiarksy said. “So many kids, especially with what we just went through with COVID, were very alone or they don’t always have that person at home to be there for them.”

The elementary school teacher said before she teaches anything, she wants to teach community.

She routinely bakes treats, pays out of pocket for additional books and supplies, and “never skips a beat” the letter writer wrote.

“I just feel like it’s my job to be there for them in a way that is beyond me teaching them long division,” Boiarsky said.

Boiarsky could retire next year but probably won’t because she doesn’t feel the need to stop teaching.

She said she’ll use the prize money for a pedicure and more book sets and supplies for her new position she’s just accepted for the next year, which will make her the teacher of the gifted and talented program.

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