CHANDLER, Arizona — We love shining the spotlight on Arizona teachers going above and beyond in our Valley schools.
Our 12 News A+ Teacher series continues with a surprise visit to Santan Elementary School in Chandler, where an exceptional first-grade teacher’s current and former students returned to recognize her for helping them build a strong foundation in education.
“We are at Santan Elementary, we’re in the Chandler Unified School District, and we nominated Mrs. McBurney,” said Mitzie Warner, who nominated Karen McBurney.
Mitzie Warner nominated Karen McBurney, who is her son, Dylan's teacher this year.
“My son, he was born extremely premature and to really hit those fundamentals, early childhood education is everything," Warner said. "And she has really helped significantly.”
“She’s nice and kind,” her son Dylan added.
Mrs. McBurney’s former student, Tatum Dwiggins, was in on the surprise too.
“I had her as my second-grade teacher, so I just got to know her at that level, but then also I got to know her family as well,” Dwiggins said. “She has taught me how to be so proficient in math, and she built my foundation.”
Dwiggins continued by saying McBurney genuinely cares about everyone’s feelings and how they are doing, a feeling echoed by Warner.
“We really hit the jackpot,” Warner said.
Our 12 News cameras captured the excitement as Warner and Dwiggins surprised Mrs. McBurney during class. You can see the moment in the video at the top of this story.
“You are the 12 News A+ Teacher,” Warner told Mrs. McBurney. “You are such a gift to the entire first grade, to all of your students.”
“You deserve the absolute world because you have changed my life and you have made me so successful,” Dwiggins said. “I just love you so much and I’m so glad I got to know you.”
“She is a rock star,” Warner added.
“I am shocked,” McBurney said after the surprise announcement. “I have such an amazing class, I love teaching at such an amazing school and I just never would have expected this, this morning.”
McBurney says she loves being able to have students in her class at such a young age and then have them come back to intern and student teach.
Our visit wrapped up with one more surprise for her.
“On behalf of 12 News and American Furniture Warehouse, we’d like to award you $500,” Warner said. “You’re the best!”
If you'd like to nominate a teacher who’s made a difference in your life to be recognized as a 12 News A+ Teacher, send in your nomination by emailing connect@12news.com.
Be sure to include the teacher's name, why they deserve to be recognized and your contact information.
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