Longtime San Tan Valley P.E. teacher and coach awarded Silver Apple

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A San Tan Valley P.E. teacher and coach is being recognized for her 25 years of teaching students about the importance of health and physical fitness.

Loreen Zapata teaches four classes of physical education and one class of weights and coaches three sports at Combs High School. Her dedication and commitment to every student really stands out!

“She is amazing at being able to be what each child needs her to be for them, whether it’s a child that has special needs and they need special love and care and attention in a certain way, or whether it’s one of her kids, like my daughter, or my son, that is on track and field,” Lisa Horne, mom of 5 and J.O. Combs Board member, said.

Horne nominated Ms. Zapata for the Silver Apple Award. Arizona’s Family and our sponsor, Desert Financial Credit Union, surprised Ms. Zapata with the award while she was on the field teaching a P.E. class.

“She’s exemplary and I wouldn’t choose anybody else to be with my children in those moments than her,” Horne said.

Zapata teaches teens at Combs High School about the value of being active and creating lifelong healthy habits.

“I change lives everyday. These kids hopefully want to continue playing tag, playing football, pickleball, walking, all of those fitness aspects, they can take with them,” Zapata said.

Zapata says even after 25 years of teaching, she is still excited to get out of bed each morning and come to work!

“I love what I do I always have. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be teaching,” Zapata added.

A huge congrats to Coach Zapata on the big honor!

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