A Record-Breaking Evening at the 2025 Great Hearts Gala 

Earlier this month, the Great Hearts Arizona community came together in extraordinary fashion for the 8th annual Great Hearts Gala, presented by Smead Capital Management, to raise funds for the Teacher Excellence Fund.

More than 550 parents, faculty, and supporters filled the courtyards and ballroom at Warehouse 215 in downtown Phoenix, decked out in black formals and adorned in glittering Gold for the “Gold Rush” theme this year.

The event highlighted the excellence of our teachers and demonstrated the strength of the partnership between our families and academies. The evening’s program included student performances by the Scottsdale Prep choir led by Music  Director Robin Neely and a recitation from our 2025 Great Hearts Bard winner, fifth grader Lia McArthur from Archway Chandler.

The reason for the event was front and center as teachers gave video testimonials of the impact the Teacher Excellence Fund has made on them. The goal of the fund is to reward and retain outstanding teachers throughout the Arizona network of schools through significant bonus compensation at the headmaster’s discretion based on teaching performance.

Superintendent Brandon Crowe introduced Maryvale Prep science teacher Tom Barringer as the 2025 Exceptional Teaching Award recipient, recognizing his outstanding dedication and impact within the charter network’s classrooms. His heartfelt speech reminded the attendees of the daily impact our teachers have on the lives of thousands of scholars across Arizona.

After the presentations were made and dinner plates were cleared, it was time to get to the business at hand of raising additional funds for Teacher Excellence Fund. The auction was a spectacle of generosity as paddles were raised with intention and a little bit of friendly competition. This was in addition to the online silent auction that had begun a week ahead of the event, and the popular Diamond Raffle, where guests purchased tickets for a chance to win a 1.8 carat brilliant-cut diamond valued at $13,500, generously donated by Coffin & Trout Fine Jewelers. The winner was announced at the end of the evening, who in turn donated the diamond back to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Country music sensation, Matt Stell, gave a lively concert performance to wrap up the magical evening. Stell has quickly made his mark on Country music with his two back-to-back chart toppers: 2x platinum Prayed For You and platinum Everywhere But On.

All efforts resulted in $ 1,147,793 raised for our Teacher Excellence Fund after expenses. These funds will be issued as merit-based faculty bonus compensation on December 19, making this our largest distribution of teacher bonuses in Great Hearts history. This achievement is a testament to the extraordinary commitment of our families to those who teach and inspire our students each day.

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.