PHOENIX - Business is booming in Mr. Ryan's high school math class. Yes, business. Ryan's students expressed interest in graphic design and other art related fields, so he wanted to help them learn math and other things by starting their own business.
"This program exposes students to manufacturing, engineering, graphic design," Ryan says from his classroom at Western School of Science and Technology. "Running a cross-curricular class like that is not cheap, and the current climate of education in Arizona is a little short on funds at the moment," Ryan said.
But after hearing about a Fiesta Bowl Charities program called Wishes for Teachers, Ryan was able to make this happen.
"We created wishes for teachers just for that, to understand what their wish is. What is your $5,000 wish," Jose Moreno, the senior director of marketing and community relations at the Fiesta Bowl said.
In its third year, Wishes for Teachers will grant $5,000 to 200 teachers across the state of Arizona. It's money these educators can use for supplies or projects like the one in Mr. Ryan's math class.
"We are fortunate to be able to provide these dollars, but to be able to see it first hand, their building a business. Some people aspire their whole lives for something like that," Moreno said.
If you or a teacher you know would like to apply for one of these grants, please visit this link.