Celebrating Our Fall 2025 Classroom Grant Recipient: Mrs. Andrea Velazco of Dove Mountain CSTEM K–8

The Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented is pleased to recognize Mrs. Andrea Velazco, our Fall 2025 Classroom Grant Recipient. Her project reflects a practical and thoughtful approach to supporting gifted learners across grades 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Mrs. Velazco’s proposal focuses on strengthening literacy by providing students with quality books, book studies and teacher materials that match their learning needs. These resources help students engage with complex texts, build comprehension and analysis skills and participate in meaningful discussions. She is also implementing a Project Based Learning unit on the National Parks with her fourth graders while integrating Depth and Complexity icons. This approach encourages students to make real world connections, explore ideas more deeply and move beyond surface-level understanding. Her plan is straightforward, ready to use and aligned with practices that support gifted education.

When notified of her award, Mrs. Velazco shared the following:

“I am truly grateful for this grant. It will give my gifted students access to exciting, quality literacy resources that will challenge, inspire, and ignite their love for learning. I am grateful for the opportunities this support will bring. This grant directly supports my students growth and curiosity. Thank you.”
— Mrs. Andrea Velazco, Dove Mountain CSTEM K-8

Her words speak clearly to the purpose of this program. AAGT is proud to support educators who create meaningful learning experiences for gifted students, and we look forward to seeing the impact of Mrs. Velazco’s work in her classroom.

AAGT is committed to supporting educators and students throughout Arizona. Members are encouraged to apply for upcoming opportunities, including the Spring Classroom Grant that opens in January. Student Enrichment Scholarships are available year round, and Gifted Endorsement Grants are also offered to help educators deepen their practice. More information can be found at https://arizonagifted.org/scholarships/