Carefree Truth
Issue #794, December 2, 2019
Issue #794, December 2, 2019
Mayor Les Peterson said "Carefree Cares", in conjunction with the Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD), was created to honor teachers and staff members from each of the 7 schools in the District each quarter.
Marketing Director Beth Renfro explained that the winners would also be recognized at the upcoming quarterly CCUSD Governing Board meeting. The agreed upon criteria for consideration included being a positive role model, serving as inspiration for others, and representing the District and the community in a positive and professional manner. Selections were submitted by principals and directors of each school, and the winners were presented with a Carefree Cares pin. This was the first of what is to be a quarterly process.
Mayor Peterson noted that the genesis of the idea came out of a meeting CCUSD Superintendent Dr. Debbie Burdick and he attended, which included school Superintendents, Mayors, Chambers of Commerce, etc., discussing major problems and their solutions. At the top of the list were the education system, funding, motivation, and programs. It was agreed that they had to work with State Legislators, who needed to develop funding and programs. As they were walking out, the Mayor and Dr. Burdick said to each other, "These are our kids. They live here. What can we do? This is our home. It should start with us, as opposed to someone in Phoenix who may or may not be attuned to what the problems and opportunities are, so let's do some things".
Carefree relinquished all fees, and invited "Rock the District" to our events to help with fundraising. "But what is the other first thing we can do?" Mayor Peterson said CCUSD has a group of teachers that are second to none, who should be recognized and thanked for their contributions to the well- being and education of our children.
Ms. Renfro announced the winners and the Council members each took a turn reading the nomination petitions of the 7 winners. Dr. Burdick pinned the pins on them.
Marketing Director Beth Renfro explained that the winners would also be recognized at the upcoming quarterly CCUSD Governing Board meeting. The agreed upon criteria for consideration included being a positive role model, serving as inspiration for others, and representing the District and the community in a positive and professional manner. Selections were submitted by principals and directors of each school, and the winners were presented with a Carefree Cares pin. This was the first of what is to be a quarterly process.
Mayor Peterson noted that the genesis of the idea came out of a meeting CCUSD Superintendent Dr. Debbie Burdick and he attended, which included school Superintendents, Mayors, Chambers of Commerce, etc., discussing major problems and their solutions. At the top of the list were the education system, funding, motivation, and programs. It was agreed that they had to work with State Legislators, who needed to develop funding and programs. As they were walking out, the Mayor and Dr. Burdick said to each other, "These are our kids. They live here. What can we do? This is our home. It should start with us, as opposed to someone in Phoenix who may or may not be attuned to what the problems and opportunities are, so let's do some things".
Carefree relinquished all fees, and invited "Rock the District" to our events to help with fundraising. "But what is the other first thing we can do?" Mayor Peterson said CCUSD has a group of teachers that are second to none, who should be recognized and thanked for their contributions to the well- being and education of our children.
Ms. Renfro announced the winners and the Council members each took a turn reading the nomination petitions of the 7 winners. Dr. Burdick pinned the pins on them.
Beth Renfro and Dr. Debbie Burdick
All photos by Herbert Hitchon
Councilman Gene Orrico:
Desert Sun Academy
Megan Linch – Fifth Grade Teacher
Nominated by Aaron Bagwell, DSA Principal
"It is with great honor that I nominate Megan Linch to be recognized for Desert Sun Academy's Excellence Award. In addition to her teaching position, Megan has shown passion and dedication to ensure that DSA continues to be the great place it is. Anytime there is a need she will be the first one to volunteer her time to help out. Honor Society, Leadership Team, Personalized Learning Council Representative and DSA's Tech Cadre are only a few of the extra duties she has taken on."
"Her passion and drive to help her students succeed is also remarkable as she serves her students in many different ways in order to provide them with the instruction they need on a personal level. She is very deserving of being recognized and our DSA community appreciate her hard work each day."
All photos by Herbert Hitchon
Councilman Gene Orrico:
Desert Sun Academy
Megan Linch – Fifth Grade Teacher
Nominated by Aaron Bagwell, DSA Principal
"It is with great honor that I nominate Megan Linch to be recognized for Desert Sun Academy's Excellence Award. In addition to her teaching position, Megan has shown passion and dedication to ensure that DSA continues to be the great place it is. Anytime there is a need she will be the first one to volunteer her time to help out. Honor Society, Leadership Team, Personalized Learning Council Representative and DSA's Tech Cadre are only a few of the extra duties she has taken on."
"Her passion and drive to help her students succeed is also remarkable as she serves her students in many different ways in order to provide them with the instruction they need on a personal level. She is very deserving of being recognized and our DSA community appreciate her hard work each day."
Megan Linch and Dr. Burdick
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio: Attending telephonically, he said he was very sorry to have missed being there in person. This is very important to him. His kids have come up through the District from preschool through high school.
Black Mountain Elementary School
Devin Galloway-Parmeley – Math Teacher
Nominated by Matt Owsley, BMES Principal
"It is difficult to choose only one member of my school that is deserving of recognition. I am the principal of an amazing school, filled with amazing people. Therefore, any member worth recognizing in such a wonderful way is a truly wonderful representation of BMES."
"With that being said, I want to take time to recognize one of my very best, Devin Galloway-Parmeley. Mrs. Parmeley began at BMES years ago as a special education teacher. I was blown away by her skills in such a demanding position – always poised in meetings, extremely organized and absolutely doing whatever she could do for the kids. When Devin moved into the general education classroom, we gained an amazing Math teacher and leader with a highly valuable skill set and treasured insight."
"Since taking on this role, Devin has been an anchor for each team she has been on. Her organizational and leadership skills greatly impact the kids within her room, as well as the other classes around her. We are extremely lucky to have such star on our campus."
"Thank you for recognizing such a special teacher."
Councilman Vince D'Aliesio: Attending telephonically, he said he was very sorry to have missed being there in person. This is very important to him. His kids have come up through the District from preschool through high school.
Black Mountain Elementary School
Devin Galloway-Parmeley – Math Teacher
Nominated by Matt Owsley, BMES Principal
"It is difficult to choose only one member of my school that is deserving of recognition. I am the principal of an amazing school, filled with amazing people. Therefore, any member worth recognizing in such a wonderful way is a truly wonderful representation of BMES."
"With that being said, I want to take time to recognize one of my very best, Devin Galloway-Parmeley. Mrs. Parmeley began at BMES years ago as a special education teacher. I was blown away by her skills in such a demanding position – always poised in meetings, extremely organized and absolutely doing whatever she could do for the kids. When Devin moved into the general education classroom, we gained an amazing Math teacher and leader with a highly valuable skill set and treasured insight."
"Since taking on this role, Devin has been an anchor for each team she has been on. Her organizational and leadership skills greatly impact the kids within her room, as well as the other classes around her. We are extremely lucky to have such star on our campus."
"Thank you for recognizing such a special teacher."
Devin Galloway-Parmeley and Dr. Burdick
Vice Mayor John Crane: Vice Mayor Crane said his first grade teacher, Mrs. Shaw, made quite an impression on him, and it was very special to see a first grade teacher being recognized.
Desert Willow Elementary School
Kristina Pancoast – First Grade Teacher
Nominated by Two Colleagues
"Kristina is a fabulous first grade teacher. She cares and loves each and EVERY one of her students. She is at school every night until 8 or 9 p.m., working to ensure she is doing all she can for each child. My (now adult) sons had her for first grade. My two youngest were adopted from Russia at ages four and five, and were non-English speakers. She alone taught both of them to learn words, alphabet, numbers, phonicsand how to read - just EVERYTHING! (Kindergarten was more of a social skills year for them due to the language barrier)."
"Kristina is also a special education teacher, and she uses her knowledge and resources from past experiences and teaching situations to reinforce, monitor, and adjust her students learning!"
"I truly 100% believe that Kristina Pancoast is so deserving of this honor! Both of my sons had her, and to this day she is our favorite, most loved teacher. She has a genuine love for her students - she greets each child every morning and says goodbye each afternoon with a hug that makes you feel like everything will be ok! She always says that no matter how the morning begins, it will always be wonderful and special in her classroom. To this day, when I have free time, I always go into her classroom to see if she needs help grading, making copies or anything she needs just to give back to her."
"The two statements above came from Kristina's colleagues and parents of her former students. Kristina brings joy, fun, learning, and independence to our first-graders. ~ Staci Wiese, Principal"
Vice Mayor John Crane: Vice Mayor Crane said his first grade teacher, Mrs. Shaw, made quite an impression on him, and it was very special to see a first grade teacher being recognized.
Desert Willow Elementary School
Kristina Pancoast – First Grade Teacher
Nominated by Two Colleagues
"Kristina is a fabulous first grade teacher. She cares and loves each and EVERY one of her students. She is at school every night until 8 or 9 p.m., working to ensure she is doing all she can for each child. My (now adult) sons had her for first grade. My two youngest were adopted from Russia at ages four and five, and were non-English speakers. She alone taught both of them to learn words, alphabet, numbers, phonicsand how to read - just EVERYTHING! (Kindergarten was more of a social skills year for them due to the language barrier)."
"Kristina is also a special education teacher, and she uses her knowledge and resources from past experiences and teaching situations to reinforce, monitor, and adjust her students learning!"
"I truly 100% believe that Kristina Pancoast is so deserving of this honor! Both of my sons had her, and to this day she is our favorite, most loved teacher. She has a genuine love for her students - she greets each child every morning and says goodbye each afternoon with a hug that makes you feel like everything will be ok! She always says that no matter how the morning begins, it will always be wonderful and special in her classroom. To this day, when I have free time, I always go into her classroom to see if she needs help grading, making copies or anything she needs just to give back to her."
"The two statements above came from Kristina's colleagues and parents of her former students. Kristina brings joy, fun, learning, and independence to our first-graders. ~ Staci Wiese, Principal"
Kristina Pancoast and Dr. Burdick
Mayor Les Peterson:
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School
Jessie Dizdarevic – Kindergarten/First Grade STEAM Teacher
Nominated by Aaron Pettinato, HTES Principal
"Jessie Dizdarevic is one of the very best teachers we have on our campus at Horseshoe Trails. For the past seven years, Jessie has taught kindergarten, but this year she’s taken on a whole new challenge as the facilitator of learning in a kindergarten/first grade combo class that incorporates an entire STEAM block with both grade levels. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. She provides personal learning stations and intensive, differentiated instruction, so that she’s able to meet each student academically exactly where they are, based on classroom evidence."
"Additionally, due to the fact that she has kindergarten and first grade students, she’s had to learn two new sets of curricula for each grade level. Through it all, she’s maintained a positive attitude, a tireless work ethic and is seeing major growth n both student cohorts."
"We’re very grateful and fortunate to have Jessie’s expertise, leadership and positive attitude at our school. She’s an exemplary teacher and role model for our young Stallions on campus. Thank you Jessie for all that you do…your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed."
Mayor Les Peterson:
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School
Jessie Dizdarevic – Kindergarten/First Grade STEAM Teacher
Nominated by Aaron Pettinato, HTES Principal
"Jessie Dizdarevic is one of the very best teachers we have on our campus at Horseshoe Trails. For the past seven years, Jessie has taught kindergarten, but this year she’s taken on a whole new challenge as the facilitator of learning in a kindergarten/first grade combo class that incorporates an entire STEAM block with both grade levels. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. She provides personal learning stations and intensive, differentiated instruction, so that she’s able to meet each student academically exactly where they are, based on classroom evidence."
"Additionally, due to the fact that she has kindergarten and first grade students, she’s had to learn two new sets of curricula for each grade level. Through it all, she’s maintained a positive attitude, a tireless work ethic and is seeing major growth n both student cohorts."
"We’re very grateful and fortunate to have Jessie’s expertise, leadership and positive attitude at our school. She’s an exemplary teacher and role model for our young Stallions on campus. Thank you Jessie for all that you do…your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed."
Jessie Dizdarevic and Dr. Burdick
https://vimeo.com/372006644
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
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https://vimeo.com/372006644
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.