Fall 2021
#FUSD
Flagstaff Unified School District teachers have strong showing at annual Teacher of the Year awards event
The 9th Annual Coconino County Teacher of the Year and the 4th Annual Rookie Teacher of the Year awards were held on September 17, 2021, at the Museum of Northern Arizona.
According to Coconino County, the Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year programs were created to celebrate, honor, and recognize full-time exemplary educators from pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade.
All finalist were recognized at the awards event. The Teacher of the Year received an automatic nomination to the statewide recognition for Arizona Teacher of the Year Award which comes with prizes.
Michael Penca, superintendent of Flagstaff Unified School District, explained several FUSD teachers were nominated for the various categories.
“Thank you Coconino County for hosting another great annual event. The excellence of FUSD was on display once again,” said Penca. “We have so many outstanding teachers at FUSD.”
According to the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, the following are the award winners:
- Educator Lifetime Achievement Award - Joe Gutierrez, principal at Killip Elementary School (Flagstaff Unified School District)
- Teacher of the Year – Joshua Brink, Desert View Intermediate School (Page Unified School District)
- Ambassadors of Excellence – Susan Burdick, Thomas Elementary School (FUSD); Trina Siegfried, Williams Elementary School (Williams Unified School District)
- Rookie Teacher of the Year – Jessica Spink, Sinagua Middle School (FUSD)
- Rookie Ambassadors of Excellence – Alianah Mijares, Marshall Elementary School (FUSD); Larissa Stack, Mount Elden Middle School (FUSD)
- STEM Teacher of the Year – Sheryl Wells, Killip Elementary School (FUSD)
- STEM Student of the Year – Oscar Landa-Samano, Coconino High School (FUSD)\
All teachers in public, private or charter schools can participate if they meet the following criteria. To be eligible for Coconino County Teacher of the Year, a teacher must spend a majority, over 50%, of the school day in direct instruction to students; have a valid Arizona teacher certification; have completed at least four full years as a classroom teacher at the time the application is submitted for consideration; teach any grade(s) or combination of grades pre-kindergarten to 12th grade in a state-certified traditional district or charter public school in Coconino County. Further, candidates must be a full-time teacher and plan to continue in an active teaching status through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
Mango-Paget congratulated all the winners and nominees, and especially congratulated Joe Gutierrez at Killip Elementary School for receiving the Educator Lifetime Achievement Award.
“On behalf of the Coconino County Education Service Agency, I congratulate Joe Gutierrez on receiving the first annual Coconino County Educator Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Mango-Paget. “The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented for achievement in leadership, teaching, and service. It’s one thing to have dreams but it’s another to take action and turn those dreams to a reality. Joe [is not] only a dreamer, [he’s] a leader. Thank you for your leadership, collaboration, and commitment to the students, parents, and Killip community.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award honors a county educator who has exhibited a lifetime, 20-plus years of achievement in K-12 education. View more pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWJqui8
Coconino High School JROTC program shines at national competition in D.C.
The Coconino High School Army JROTC Leadership Team competed in the JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl Championship July 17-23, 2021, in Washington, D.C. The team advanced through two challenging phases of online competition to reach the championship.
Colonel Donald W. Morris, senior Army instructor of Coconino High School JROTC, explained his team was one out of 1,511 Army Leadership Teams that competed from around the world and only 40 teams earned top scores to advance to the national competition.
Col. Morris explained participation in the various competitions was very challenging but they accomplished what they set out to do. Aside from competitions, they also did their best to be safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The team included: Aidan Yoakum, Caleb Morris, Adeline Chlupsa, and Noah Burdick.
“All of these cadets are rising seniors attending both Flagstaff High School and Coconino High School,” Col. Morris said.
Col. Morris explained the team was tested on their knowledge of current events, leadership values, and leadership skills. The team also participated in various forums and panel discussions, they completed a Leadership Reaction Course, and they also worked under time pressure in a problem-solving gauntlet.
“[The team also] experienced the National Capital including a wreath laying ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery,” he said. “[They also] toured the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, [they had] a call with U.S. Congressman Tom O’Halloran, and toured several areas on the National Mall and at the Smithsonian.”
The JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl is a nationally recognized academic competition created exclusively for JROTC students. Participating cadets learn the values of citizenship, academic competition, and college opportunity. Competitions create opportunities for cadets by allowing them to demonstrate leadership and academic abilities.
Col. Morris explained, in addition to this educational opportunity, each cadet receives the prestigious General Douglas MacArthur Foundation Leadership Award, the George C. Marshall Leadership and Academic Award, a certificate of achievement from the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, and a congratulatory letter from former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
The College Options Foundation also assisted the cadets. This foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the academic development of high school students and assisting them with their preparation for higher education.
Thomas Elementary School beautifies campus with artwork
Hanna Haase, art teacher at Thomas Elementary School, and her students are doing amazing artwork at their school.
On October 27, Haase invited the student body and school administrators to help design and create a school-wide fence mural to beautify the drop off and pick-up zones at the school.
All Thomas Elementary School students and staff had the opportunity to paint a portion of the fence.
Reading under the stars at Knoles
Knoles Elementary School held their annual “Reading Under the Stars” on October 27, 2021. The event was intended to bring the community together to enjoy hot dogs, hot chocolate, glow sticks, and books provided by the Flagstaff Library Pals. Families enjoyed the evening on the grass under the stars reading while also looking at stars with telescopes provided by a community partner.
FUSD bus driver enjoys her job, positively impacting lives of school children
Florentina Salaba or better known as “Florna” has been driving a school bus for Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) for over a decade now and said she loves her job. Florna has been with FUSD since 2015 and worked her way up from a bus driver and is now a bus driver trainer.
“Working for FUSD has been very rewarding and driving for the school district is really enjoyable,” she said.
The ability to drive a huge school bus still amazes Florna and said she now does it with much confidence.
“It’s still surreal to me. Sometimes I walk by a bus and I can’t believe I drive this thing,” she said. “I call [the bus] my office with a view. You’re out there driving—you’re not sitting in a building or a cubicle. I see the San Francisco Peaks and I can’t believe I get to see this every day. I also see sunsets and sunrises while out driving, the scenery is just beautiful here.”
Florna said another perk of working as a bus driver for FUSD is the flexible schedule which is great for parents who have children in the school district.
“As a parent, I love being able to have the same schedule as my kids and the benefit of being able to be with them on their journeys to and from school has been an excellent fit for me,” she said. “Our work schedule meshes with the school calendar. If our kids are on a snow day, we’re home with them. If they’re on holiday break, we’re on holiday break. This schedule just works if you have children. I can be at work at 6 a.m. and sometimes come home at 9 a.m. to do personal errands, then be back at work in the afternoon for my afternoon bus route.”
Training other bus drivers is rewarding for Florna.
“When new drivers come in, they’re brand new most times to driving a bus. They know nothing about buses or how to manage a bus load of kids,” she said. “When I started, someone helped to train me and I love doing that for others now.”
Florna appreciates the on-the-job training she received to earn a commercial driver’s license or CDL. This paid training provided her valuable skills and knowledge that she can use at FUSD and for future advancement and opportunities.
Above the convenience and flexibility of scheduling and on-the-job training opportunities, Florna gets the most enjoyment and satisfaction from knowing she is contributing to the education of school children.
“The most significant impact of my job is the ability to positively impact the lives of our school district’s children each and every day,” she said. “When a bus driver greets you with a smile and says ‘Good morning!’ and greets you by your name, that makes you feel special and sets the tone for your school day. We all want to be greeted by our name, to be seen, to be heard, and to be noticed with a kind smile.”
“I remember times as a child when my teachers greeted me with a smile and asked me how my day was or how my morning was going. That made me feel special and knew I was somebody to this person,” she added.
Florna explained building rapport with her riders is vitally important.
“They trust me to get them home safely, they trust me to keep them safe on the school bus,” she said. “It feels pretty good when students get to know you and you get to know them.”
When asked, “What makes a good bus driver?” Florna said, “Communication is key, not only with our coworkers but with dispatch, the kids, parents, and teachers.”
“Once the kids get on the bus, we are responsible for getting them to school safety and getting them home safely. That is a huge responsibility upon us as bus drivers,” she added. “Knowing I was responsible for lives… for other people’s babies… that is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.”
Flora enjoys her job and she encourages others to apply and reap the benefits of working in a rewarding job and career.
FUSD is currently hiring for bus drivers. The position includes on-the-job training, CDL training and certification, a flexible work schedule, and competitive benefits that include health, dental, vision insurance, and retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System with employer match. There are multiple positions available, including 9-month positions, and the pay starts at $17.55 per hour.
For information on current job openings at FUSD, access the website at www.fusd1.org/human_resources/.
FUSD celebrates Legendary Teacher Day
Flagstaff Unified School District celebrated and acknowledged Legendary Teacher Day on September 23, 2021. This day is intended as a day of tribute to teachers who impacted learning in a positive and significant manner.
This day of tribute to teachers was established in 2014 by Dr. Nicholas I. Clement. As a longtime administrator, he spent his career identifying, developing, and celebrating teachers in a variety of assignments. Following his retirement in 2013, Dr. Clement was appointed to the Ernest McFarland Citizen’s Chair in Education by the dean of the College of Education at Northern Arizona University. Because of commitment and passion for education, Dr. Clement established the Legendary Teacher Day to celebrate and honor those teachers who have had an impact on education. The three tenets that describe a legendary teacher are: building relationships, engaging deeply with students, and creating high expectations.
This year’s FUSD Legendary Teacher recipients are: Luis Melo of Sinagua Middle School, Laurie Jeffers of Thomas Elementary School, Julie Elliott of DeMiguel Elementary School (retired), Kimberly Wertz of DeMiguel Elementary School, and Terry Wilson of Coconino High School.
Congratulations 2021 FUSD Legendary Teachers! View more pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWJgtpP
Flagstaff High School Biking Team win 2021 Arizona State High School Championship
Congratulations to the Flagstaff High School Mountain Biking Team and Head Coach John Urkuski for winning the 2021 Arizona State High School Championship held at Fort Huachuca!
The winning team includes: Girls Varsity – McKenna Maloney (2nd) and Mackenzie Spillman (3rd); Boys Varsity – Miles Mokelke (4th); Boys Freshman – Everett Sherry (3rd) and Milo Webb (4th).
The team also won all four of their regular season races.
Coconino High School Girls Cross Country, Flagstaff High School Boys Cross Country bring home state titles
Coconino High School Girls Cross Country team and the Flagstaff High School Boys Cross Country team brought home state titles from the state competitions held November 13, 2021.
Congratulations to all student-athletes for an outstanding fall season of sports.
Meet some new members of #TeamFUSD
TROY HARRIS serves as the Director of Technology. He has 24 years of experience in the Information Technology sector, including 16 years of experience in public education. Previous to moving to Flagstaff, Troy most recently served as the Technology Director at Phoenix Elementary School District.
Troy believes that technology in the classroom should inspire and unlock creativity in students. Also, a strong network and system infrastructure is an essential foundation to student and staff use of technology.
He believes a K-12 technology department must remain agile and flexible to meet the constantly changing challenges of a modern school environment.
Troy and his wife Jen enjoy all of the beautiful outdoor activities northern Arizona offers in their free time. You will frequently find them on long dog walks, hikes through the forest or enjoying coffee in downtown Flagstaff.
JOSHUA L. BUTLER is the Director of Communications and Public Relations at Flagstaff Unified School District.
He is a Navajo tribal member from Tuba City, Arizona, and has lived in Flagstaff since 2002.
He comes to FUSD with 20 years of experience in marketing and public relations in the tribal, county, and private sectors.
He resides in Flagstaff with his wife Christina and their children. He is excited to help publicize FUSD and all the great highlights of the school district.
He attended Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoys long walks, hikes, bike riding, golfing, and traveling.
ALICIA TRILLO RUIZ is the new receptionist for Flagstaff Unified School District. Alicia greets visitors to the Administrative Center, also known as the district office.
“I strive to make every visitor experience as smooth as possible and make sure to find answers to any questions they may have,” she said. “Our staff is always willing to go above and beyond for our students and their families and I am proud to be a part of our team!”
Alicia is happily married to her husband Matthew.
“We love our three dogs and love to enjoy the great outdoors with them,” she said. “In our spare time we enjoy spending time with our family and friends, being physically active, and movie going!”
HANNAH SANDOVAL is the administrative assistant for the Native American Education Support Program.
Hannah is married and has three children. Her family loves sports and all three of her children are in some type of sport or training program throughout the year.
She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelors in Business Administration.
Before working at FUSD, she spent 12 years with the Arizona Army National Guard and at a Field Maintenance Shop as a production controller. She is glad to be part of the Native American Education Support Program at FUSD.
DR. LOREN HUDSON is one of two assistant principals at Flagstaff High School.
Dr. Hudson is a Navajo tribal member, his clans are Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House), his maternal grandfather’s clan is Nóóda’í Tł’ízí lání (Ute Many Goats), and his paternal grandfather’s clan is Bįįh Bitoodnii (Deer Springs Clan).
Dr. Hudson holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University (NAU), a M.A. in Educational Leadership from NAU, and an Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership from NAU.
He most recently served as principal at Greyhills Academy High School in Tuba City, Arizona. He also worked previously with FUSD from 2003-2014 at Sinagua High School, Flagstaff High School, Coconino High School, Puente de Hózhó Elementary School, and now back at Flagstaff High School.
FLAGSTAFF UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
3285 East Sparrow Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
(928) 527-6000 | www.fusd1.org