They call her Ms. G, but to her students, she’s so much more 💙 In a quiet classroom at Webster Elementary in Mesa, Arizona, Ms. Gonzalez-Willis has built a space where students with autism feel seen and understood. Her "Dojo Dollars" system rewards kindness and focus, teaching students practical skills like budgeting and decision-making. Every detail of her classroom is designed with purpose. Ms. G meets her students where they are, honoring each step of their journey. She knows growth isn't always linear, but every bit of progress matters. Outside the classroom, she guides other teachers and uplifts families. Her impact even reached the Dominican Republic, where she helped local educators create autism support programs. As an educator, Ms. G pours love into her work, building systems that weren’t made for her community, but are now stronger for it. Congratulations to Ms. G, winner of the 2025 Esperanza Teacher Award 🏆 Thank you to our sponsors: Salt River Project, Delta Dental of Arizona, Arizona State University, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Maricopa Community Colleges, and Helios Education Foundation (fb)

Friday, we celebrated four incredible educators who make a difference in the lives of our students and community 🌟 Ana Gonzalez-Willis, Arlene Wade-Pena, Diane Hernandez, and John Flores have earned the 2025 Esperanza Teacher Award. These four are shaping the future, one student at a time. Each of them fosters environments where students learn to dream, grow, and make an impact. From creative lesson plans to community advocacy, their efforts leave a lasting impression ❤️ Thank you to our incredible sponsors: @srpconnect, @dlapiper, @southwestair, @hub_intl, @arizonasfamily, @univisionaz, @lacampesina1019, @tricolor1035 (fb)