On this edition of our Innovation and Learning podcast, we spoke with members of our Exceptional Student Services team about the work they do for and with our students with different learning needs - whether physical or mental - to ensure those students have an authentic learning experience in the Roosevelt School District. In their own words, these unsung heroes share what it means to be part of the ESS team, how they integrate technology into their treatment plans and the support they provide to students and families.

Think of you favorite book and the first time you picked it up. Remember how it made you feel as you worked you way toward the end? Maybe it was the first in a swashbuckling series. Maybe it was a biography that inspired you to write a musical. Do you remember who introduced it to you? Was it a parent or another relative? A teacher, or perhaps the school librarian? 

On today's podcast, we will talk to five Roosevelt School District Librarians and see how they are introducing their love of reading to our students. These paraprofessionals share their stories and experiences as their roles evolve to include teaching lessons, implementing social-emotional learning practices and using Apple technology to make reading fun and accessible for the kids and their parents.

We look forward to seeing what our five librarians will do with their students and families in the years to come. Reading has been, and will always be, a way to go anywhere and be anything, to find friends to know and ways to grow. All you have to do is take a look in a book.

In this episode, five members of the technology team share their experiences. The podcast features highlights from the field, troubleshooting, and updates to district-wide technology. Thank you to all of our participants including Corey Pool, Frederick Pool, Ryan Turrey, Nate Hawkins, and Richard Ramos.

Parents are instrumental partners in Roosevelt School District No. 66. In this podcast, four parents from the community share their personal stories as they navigated through a world-wide Pandemic over the last 18 months. As the COVID transmission numbers remain high in South Phoenix, many parents found themselves making the difficult decision to send their children to school in-person or online. Although Roosevelt opened a new online academy, these parents made the choice to send their children to in-person schooling. In this segment, hear from RSD parents first hand as they share community experiences, safety measures in place at neighborhood schools, and how technology/social emotional learning has benefited their families.

Roosevelt School District in South Phoenix has been serving the community for well over 100 years. During that time, there have been some unsung heroes in the community. They are the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Coordinators. Those in this position serve to help connect RSD parents and families to school communities on a deeper level. It is no secret, students perform better when their families are invested in the neighborhood schools. Therefore, the RSD FACE Coordinators play a huge role in the success of each student.

Joining me today are Liliana Valle, Irene Ordaz, Guadalupe Perez, and Diana Figueroa. They have band together to provide food, resources, and human capital to support our families during these most challenging times. Many times, they have been the strength of the district, yet recognition is not why they do this job.