McDowell Mountain Elementary School teacher, Denise Matus, has been named the Four Peaks Rotary Club Teacher of the Month for January, 2019.

Input from local principals helps the Four Peaks Rotary Club recognize teachers on a monthly basis throughout the school year. In addition to the recognition, the club provides a $250 check for the teacher’s use.

The Four Peaks Rotary Club Teacher of the Month demonstrates the following qualities: Has the respect of students, parents, and peers; brings out the best in each student regardless of individual academic ability; is actively involved in providing and promoting high quality educational opportunities for students in Fountain Hills schools.

Valerie Dehombreux, Principal of McDowell Mountain Elementary School, recently shared with the Four Peaks Rotary Club why she nominated Matus as Teacher of the month.

“Mrs. Matus is an amazing preschool teacher who has been teaching for the Fountain Hills Unified School District for 28 years,” Dehombreux said. “Because of her marvelous work, her three- and four-year-olds receive the foundations of all areas of development and complete her program more than ready for kindergarten.”

Dehombreux said Matus and her instructional aide/preschool admin, Lisa Cartagine, engage students daily in multiple ways, emphasizing academic instruction, interaction during social play and more.

“Mrs. Matus’ active participation goes beyond her role as preschool teacher,” Dehombreux continued. “She tutors students from kindergarten to third grade in our PTO-funded morning lab four days a week. She frequently represents general education at special education preschool meetings for individual students. Mrs. Matus is also a member of our Effective School Plan Committee, Character Counts Committee, and Safety Committee…[She] truly makes a significant difference in the lives and educations of McDowell Mountain’s young students.”

Four Peaks Rotary Club invites the community to visit fourpeaksrotary.org to learn more about the club’s activities. The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 7 a.m. at Fountain View Village. For further information, contact club president Scott Schlossberg at 480-833-0194 or sschlossberg@farmersagent.com.