SUSD Spotlight

In this conversation, Roni reflects on the moments, challenges, and successes that have defined her five decades in education. She shares how teaching has evolved over the years, what has remained constant about supporting students, and why the influence of a dedicated educator can extend far beyond a student's time in the classroom. Her story is a testament to the lasting impact teachers have on the lives of young people and the communities they serve.

Redfield Elementary has been named a 2026 A+ School of Excellence® by the Arizona Educational Foundation, a prestigious honor that recognizes schools going above and beyond in all the ways that matter most.

Joining us today to talk about being recognized as an A+ School of Excellence is principal Amanda Rand.

*This episode was recorded prior to the end of the school year. 

Today’s episode features an inspiring student from Desert Mountain High School. Eric, a junior in the International Baccalaureate program, recently earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor Congress awards to civilian youth.

Through more than 425 hours of volunteer service, Eric has made a meaningful impact in his community. As the founder of Students for Shelter, he leads efforts to support individuals experiencing homelessness through donation drives, meal service, and connecting people with critical resources.

His leadership doesn’t stop there. From founding math clubs at Title I schools to mentoring international STEM scholars and developing tools for nonprofits, Eric is using his skills to create real change.

Today, we’re talking with Eric about what drives his passion for service, how he turned ideas into action, and what he’s learned along the way.

Today, we’re highlighting an exciting new initiative at Laguna Prep, one of the recipients of SUSD’s 2025–26 Innovation Startup Grants.

Through this grant, Laguna is expanding its makerspace by integrating robotics and other STEAM technologies, giving Pre-K through 5th grade students more opportunities for hands-on, creative learning.

Today, we’re spotlighting one of the 2025–2026 recipients of SUSD’s Innovation Startup Grants, an initiative that celebrates educators transforming teaching and learning through creativity, collaboration, and hands-on exploration.

We’re joined by Katie Khan and Susan Green from Tavan Elementary School, the team behind Tavan Makers in Motion, a makerspace that gives students hands-on opportunities to design, create, and solve problems through authentic, cross-curricular projects.

This space will foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, preparing students for future academic and career success.

Kiva Elementary has been named a 2026 A+ School of Excellence® by the Arizona Educational Foundation, a prestigious honor that recognizes schools going above and beyond in all the ways that matter most. Joining us today to talk about being recognized as an A+ School of Excellence is principal Matt Gromek and Assistant Principal Rebecca Pentland.

Today, we’re excited to feature teacher Ginna Cummings and principal Amanda Rand from Redfield Elementary School to talk about Unlocking Learning for Student Innovation, one of the 2025–2026 recipients of SUSD’s Innovation Startup Grants.

In her classroom, Ginna is bringing learning to life through gamified, hands-on experiences that engage students in collaborative problem solving. Students are building critical thinking skills, strengthening teamwork, and deepening their understanding of content, all while ensuring every learner is supported, including those developing English language skills.

In this episode, we’ll explore how creativity, collaboration, and innovation are shaping the classroom of tomorrow.

Today we are highlighting a classroom at Coronado that has been transformed into something truly special. The Coronado Innovation Lab is an inclusive makerspace designed for special education students with cognitive and motor delays. Using immersive Augmented Reality tools and hands-on exploration, the lab removes learning barriers and helps students engage with STEM in creative and meaningful ways.

This innovative project was also recognized as one of five recipients of SUSD’s 2025–2026 Innovation Startup Grants, which celebrate educators who are transforming teaching and learning through creativity, collaboration, and hands on experiences.

Joining us today to share the story behind the Innovation Lab are teacher Jennifer Kinsey and assistant principal Chad Johnson. 

Today’s episode is all about a powerful idea: Math Powers Possibility. In SUSD, math is more than numbers on a page. It’s problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and confidence. It’s about giving every student the tools to explore, discover, and see what’s possible for their future.

So what does Math Powers Possibility really look like in action and how is it changing the way students experience math, and why does it matter for their future? That’s what we’re exploring today.

In this episode of SUSD Spotlight, we’re taking you behind the scenes of something truly magical at Hohokam Elementary.

For 17 weeks, students rehearsed twice a week, building confidence, strengthening teamwork, and discovering a love for the arts. Their hard work culminated in a performance of The Jungle Book Kids, as one of just five schools selected to participate in the Disney Musicals in Schools program.

And the best part? They even performed one of their songs on the prestigious ASU Gammage stage.

Joining the show are third grader Olivia, fourth graders Elon and Cooper, 2nd grade teacher and music director Lindsay Neville, and principal Maggie Finan, all sharing how this unforgettable experience came to life.