Phoenix Teacher Honored as Fulton Homes 'Teacher of the Year'
Indira Frederking Receives Award for Always Going the Extra Mile.
"It was one of the top 5 moments of my life". That's how 4th Grade teacher Indira Frederking described winning Fulton Homes "Teacher of the Year" today in Tempe. The Ocotillo Elementary School was chosen out of 36 candidates from across the Valley. Frederking had been chosen Fulton Homes "Teacher of the Week" award recipient for her exemplary work at the Title 1 school in Phoenix, AZ back in January. She was honored today at Monti's Restaurant by Ira Fulton, founder of Fulton Homes, the Dairy Council of Arizona and the morning team from KNIX-FM Radio. "I tell my students to never give upon your dreams. I think they will be so excited, because they were rooting for me," says Frederking.
Frederking received a $1,000 to coincide with the honor. She says he plans to use that money to take her class on a field trip, some place educational.
Frederking has chosen to continue making a difference in a low-income school rather than working closer to home. Ocotillo Elementary is a Title 1-funded school that aims to bridge the gap between low-income students and other students. She has taught at an elementary level for 10 years and worked with first and fourth grade students.
She was nominated for being a genuine teacher and exemplary human being by Tamara Wattenbarger, a teaching intern at Ocotillo.
"That is what I've always wanted for my children from their educators, and it is what I hope to be as a teacher," said Wattenbarger.
"Miss Frederking treats all the students in her classroom as individuals in the classroom," said Wattenbarger. "She is respectful of them yet holds them accountable."
"Frederking is the kind of teacher our children deserve," remarked Fulton Homes Founder Ira Fulton. "It was patient teachers like her who helped me succeed in life."
Fulton Homes invites students and peers across the Valley to recognize those teachers who make a difference in other's lives with the 11th Annual Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week program, in partnership with KNIX Country Radio. The popular program, which serves to honor outstanding educators, continues throughout the school year, ending in June of 2011.
For more information about Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week, visit
www.fultonhomes.com and click on the Fulton Foundationlink, or visit
knixcountry.com, keyword "Teacher."