Fulton Homes honored longtime Phoenix educator Ronald Pacioni as the first Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week for 2009. Pacioni, a fifth grade social studies teacher at Mercury Mine Elementary, 9640 N. 28th St., was honored on Jan. 9 during the KNIX morning show with Matt and Ben.

    As a teacher at Mercury Mine since it opened in the Paradise Valley Unified School District more than 30 years ago, Pacioni is well known by his students as not only an outstanding teacher, but one of the biggest Suns fans around.

“Mr. ‘P’ is an awesome teacher!” raved student Jake Welsheimer, who nominated him. “His two passions are teaching, and the Phoenix Suns. Aside from having his room decorated in orange and purple, we have a game called ‘hoops’ that incorporates learning and basketball. He makes lessons fun and exciting.”

    Teachers can be nominated for the award by submitting a brief form at any Fulton Homes location or online at www.fultonhomes.com or www.knix country.com. Winners are chosen based on their commitment to education, career achievements and impact on students’ lives. The teacher will be featured live on the KNIX Ben and Matt morning show and presented with a prize pack containing $300 in cash, plus prizes.