How Strong Schools Build a Strong Community
Here are success stories contributed from alumni and community members of the Cave Creek Unified School District.These individuals stand united with LearnYES in support of continued override funding to support our local schools.
My name is Spenser Robert, and I graduated from Cactus Shadows High School (CSHS) in May 2010. As I write this, it’s almost a year later, and I’m finishing up my freshman year at New York University. While the transition from high school to college can be challenging for many, I was fortunate enough to have had exceptional academic preparation, due to the work of incredible educators such as Erinn Ferris, Meredith Fowler and Kelly Henson (Fowler and Ferris are still at CSHS). These teachers gave me the motivation to push myself academically. Fowler encouraged me to study both French and Spanish in high school. Henson worked with me for months on my NYU application and went as far as to call the university regularly to check up on my review status. She also wrote a glowing letter of recommendation. Ferris has written me numerous letters of recommendation and was instrumental in my acquisition of a four-year scholarship from Kiwanis of Carefree. Without these educators, I highly doubt I would have made it into NYU. With recent district budget cuts, I would hate to think that the district would be forced to loose great educators like these, leaving future graduates at a disadvantage.
Because of these CCUSD educators, I have been able to succeed at one of the most competitive universities in the nation. I have maintained straight As through both semesters this year even with a heavy workload of 18 credits per semester. Despite the fact that most of my peers at NYU come from expensive, private high schools, I have never once felt at a disadvantage. For that, I am forever indebted to the faculty and administration of CSHS.
My wife (class of 1996) and I (1998) are both alumni of the Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD). I attended preschool through high school within the district. After completing our college degree programs, we moved back to the community to raise our children.
Although the district has grown substantially since we graduated from CSHS, it has adapted, remaining successful and competitive among all Arizona districts. But that doesn’t mean that continued support through voting on ballot initiatives and seeking additional sources of funding can be dismissed or taken lightly. It should be evident that raising the standards of education in Arizona will yield the highest return on investment to our community in the long run. Lawmakers are further limiting resources that are being allocated to education. Expecting our schools to succeed without the support of the community cannot continue.
Teacher’s salaries must remain competitive to retain faculty that excels. This was a problem in the mid-1990s, when we lost several of my favorite teachers to other districts. Facilities are always in need of maintenance and must be upgraded when possible. Desert Arroyo is a stark reminder of how quickly buildings can deteriorate if left unattended. Lastly, students need to be given the opportunity to acquire a challenging, meaningful and rewarding education. That’s why curriculum is continually evaluated and updated. Lesson plans and class materials utilized during my time in school, for example, are no longer relevant nor challenge students of today.
I can proudly say that if not for a safe learning environment, energized faculty and a variety of extra-curricular activities provided by CCUSD, the desire to continue my education beyond high school and challenge myself to look for the lesson in each day as a professional may not have taken root.
- Luke Kautzman
Giggle Tree Preschool
Cave Creek Elementary - Jackrabbits
Black Mountain Elementary - Bobcats
Desert Arroyo Middle School - Rattlers
Cactus Shadows High School - Falcons
As the mother of two wonderful children who attend Horseshoe Trails Elementary School in the Cave Creek school district, I welcome the opportunity to share my feelings of how impressed I’ve been with the teachers they’ve had. I’ve had experiences at each end of the spectrum. My daughter, a sixth-grader, has excelled in school from the day she started kindergarten, but my son, a second-grader, has struggled – especially with learning to read. What I’ve found so remarkable is how the teachers and staff have catered to each of their needs. My daughter has been placed in honors classes and encouraged to strive for excellence by challenging her. My son has been provided with extra support through small group sessions such as RTI (Response to Intervention). His teachers have always maintained an open line of communication with my husband and I regarding his progress and difficulties. In turn, we have been better equipped to help him with his schoolwork at home. I’m so incredibly proud to say that with his teachers’ exceptional guidance, support and accessibility in what is always a positive emotional environment, my son is not only thriving at school and achieving beyond what was expected of him, but his self-esteem and confidence has been boosted ten-fold. I fear that without the passage of an override in November, the individualized attention my son and my daughter have received over the years will disappear. The override money, which currently funds 50 to 60 teachers, is essential to keeping our class sizes down and fostering the individualized attention for our students that is necessary for each one of them to succeed.
In addition, when our family was going through a personal crisis, the teachers were there for my children emotionally, which is something our family will never forget. The kindness of the teachers helped my children get through their school days at a time when things were very difficult. Isn’t that what we want to create a strong and cohesive community?
I can’t possibly thank the teachers and staff at Horseshoe Trails enough for all they have done and continue to do daily not just for my children, but all those who attend the school. If our entire country had teachers as dedicated and well-trained as those at Horseshoe Trails and the entire Cave Creek Unified School District, we’d be well on our way to solving the problems with our education system.
- Dana Blank
Do you have a success story to share regarding your experience as a parent, student or community member of CCUSD? Send an email to support@learnyes.org.
We'd love to hear from you!
