Fernando Gonzalez, left, was named a runner-up for Family Teacher of the Year by Toyota and the National Center for Families Learning.

 Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
  • Town of Oro Valley: For the 10th year in a row, the Town of Oro Valley Procurement Division has received the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute. The Town of Oro Valley is one of only 14 agencies in Arizona, and one of only 68 cities/towns in the United States and Canada to receive the award. Award criteria are designed to measure innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity and leadership attributes of the procurement function.
  • Make Way for Books: The organization is receiving a $5,000 grant after School Readiness Program Specialist Fernando Gonzalez was named a runner-up for Family Teacher of the Year by Toyota and the National Center for Families Learning. The funds will be used to expand the organization’s family literacy outreach program. Gonzalez works in Southern Arizona’s rural and urban areas to build on families’ strengths and increase kindergarten-readiness among low-income students. The Toyota Family Teacher of the Year award is a national honor that recognizes families play a crucial role in the success of children and salutes educators who are exceptional at using intergenerational approaches to engage students and their families in education.

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