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APS Surprises 500 Arizona Teachers with $500 for Classroom Supplies
500 Arizona teachers received a welcome surprise thanks to the APS Supply My Class program, which awarded each educator a $500 prepaid gift card to help cover the cost of classroom supplies.
Launched in 2018, the program supports K–12 public and public charter schools within APS’s service territory. According to the National Education Association, more than 90% of teachers spend their own money on classroom materials. APS’s initiative eases that burden and helps ensure students have the tools they need to succeed.
Over the last seven years, APS has invested $3 million through the APS Supply My Class program. This year, APS received a record-breaking 10,006 applications. From that pool, 500 teachers were randomly selected to receive the award. APS employees personally surprised each winner in their classrooms, often in front of cheering students and colleagues.
“We support education and can’t thank teachers enough for their dedication and commitment to children,” said Tina Marie Tentori, APS Director of Community Affairs. “Our initiative empowers teachers to get essential classroom resources without dipping into their own pockets, so they can focus on what matters most: inspiring and fostering student success.”
2025 program highlights:
- 308 schools across Arizona had at least one winner.
- 199 of the 500 winners teach in rural Arizona.
- 110 winners were new teachers with three years or less in the classroom.
- Deer Valley Unified School District in Phoenix led with 19 winning teachers.
- Kindergarten teachers received the most gift cards with 72 winners.
APS partnered again this year with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Rising to surprise teachers with player appearances (pictures below). These visits were followed by on-field presentations, celebrating educators in front of fans and families.
“This $500 award means so much to me and my students,” said Jodie Ray-Marlowe, a teacher at Desert Shadows Middle School in Scottsdale. “This support allows us to bring math beyond the textbook into the real world, giving my students the chance to see how the concepts we learn in class connect to their everyday lives and future opportunities. It’s not just about supplies – it’s about creating meaningful experiences that help my students understand just how important and powerful math truly is.”
Funding for the program comes from APS parent company Pinnacle West’s shareholders, not customers. APS and the APS Foundation also support other educational initiatives, including STEM Teacher Grants in partnership with the Phoenix Suns.
To learn more about APS’s education programs, visit aps.com/education.
Pictures below are from APS Supply My Class surprises over the month of September.
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank and APS Community Impact Specialist Mikenzie Lindsey surprised two teachers, including Mr. Gackowski (shown above) and Ms. Barrios, at William T. Machan Elementary in Phoenix.
Phoenix Rising Forward Remi Cabral and APS Energy Innovation Advisor Trevor Swanson surprised teacher Ms. Flower at Silvestre Herrera Elementary School in Phoenix.
Ms. Ward, 1st grade teacher at Taylor Elementary School in Taylor, AZ, is surrounded by her students after the big surprise.
APS serves 1.4 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties and is a leader in safely delivering reliable affordable electricity in the Southwest. APS maintains a diverse range of energy resources, including nuclear from the Palo Verde Generating Station, natural gas, coal, solar, wind and energy storage – a mix that’s about 54% clean. With 140 years of experience serving Arizona, APS is the main subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
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