Gila Crossing and Sacaton teachers attend Keeping Teachers Teaching event in Tempe

February 17, 2017

Roberto A. Jackson

Gila River Indian News

Teaching comes with many responsibilities. Countless hours in the classroom while seeking professional development is a tall task. For those teachers facing hardships, the non-profit foundation Keeping Teachers Teaching (KTT) steps in to ease the burden.

Darryl Gooden established the foundation about two years ago to raise awareness about the needs of educators in the state of Arizona. “I’m [the teachers] voice to keep them in the classroom,” said Gooden.

As part of KTT’s mission, Gooden organized the Keeping Teachers Teaching 2nd Annual Bowling Tournament on Feb. 12 at Main Event in Tempe. Local schools teamed up to bowl, network and collaborate on their goals in education. Pima Leasing Financial Corp. sponsored teachers from Gila Crossing Community School and Sacaton Middle School to participate in the tournament.

“I would like to thank Gila River for giving me this opportunity… that we can give back to our teachers in Sacaton and Gila Crossing,” said Gooden.

Following the tournament the educators and guests listened to Gooden and guest speakers Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe, and Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir discuss the importance of teachers in local communities.

As an added incentive for attending the event KTT raffled many prizes for the teachers including laptop computers, printers and household and outdoor items.

The event also included many first responders like Ryan Rivas, Fire Engineer from the Gila River Fire Department. “We all at public safety appreciate what they do and how they affect the Community as well,” said Rivas.