Superintendent Brian Capistran (at podium) accepted the 2025 Inspirational Educator of the Year award from the Glendale Rotary Club in May (photo courtesy of GUHSD).
Glendale Union High School District
Capistran recognized as ‘Inspirational Educator’
Outgoing Glendale Union High School District Superintendent Brian Capistran was honored with the 2025 Matt O. Hanhila Inspirational Educator of the Year award, presented by the Glendale Rotary Club.
Each year, the Glendale Rotary Club presents this award to recognize excellence in education and leadership. The award is named in honor of Dr. Matt O. Hanhila, a scholar, teacher, administrator, coach and official who dedicated 58 years to Arizona’s public school systems. Hanhila’s legacy includes organizing the Arizona State Coaches Association in 1933 and earning degrees from all three of the state’s major universities.
The award was presented by Hanhila’s son, Matt O. Hanhila Jr., during a surprise announcement attended by GUHSD cabinet members and principals. Superintendent Capistran was recognized for his exceptional leadership, dedication to student success, and lasting impact on the GUHSD community.
Sunnyslope High School junior Lainey Johnson and senior Zoe Haan made their way to the quarter finals of the AIA Beach Volleyball doubles tournament in May (photo courtesy of GUHSD).
Volleyball reaches new heights
The Sunnyslope High School boys volleyball team had its best season ever this year. The team placed second in the 6A Central Region, made it to its first-ever playoff game, and had three boys make the All Region team. Tyler Stock, Nathan Brown and Mason Cooley were all named First Team, All Region. Mickey Gerdes, Darren Desmond and Owen Hillis also received All Region recognition.
Sunnyslope High junior Lainey Johnson and senior Zoe Haan, coached by Amber Geer, made their way to the quarter finals of the AIA Beach Volleyball doubles tournament. In the program’s third season, Haan and Johnson are standouts who took the program to new heights, the school said.
Washington High seniors excel
Washington High School held its annual honors and awards ceremony, where it celebrated the accomplishments of its seniors. This year’s graduating class earned more than $12.5 million in grants and scholarships, the district said. This amount exceeds last year’s total by $2.5 million.
Madison Rose Lane Elementary teacher Elysia Lopez was joined by Whataburger’s “What-a-guy” for a giant check presentation in May (submitted photo).
Madison School District
Madison teachers recognized for commitment
In May, Elysia Lopez of Madison Rose Lane Elementary School and Alexandra DiPiazza of Madison Simis Elementary School were selected as recipients of Whataburger’s 2025 WhataTeacher Award.
As part of Whataburger’s 75th anniversary, Lopez and DiPiazza were two of 75 educators across 16 states honored with a $1,000 classroom grant for their outstanding commitment to students and education.
Keep kids engaged in learning this summer
In addition to its Madison Adventure Club (MAC) summer camp, Madison School District offers a variety of camps provided on-site by third-party organizations for students to participate in. These camps specialize in a variety of areas such as art, science, technology, and more.
District-operated camps will be located at Madison Heights (pre-K through first grade) and Madison No. 1 (second through eighth grade) schools; vendor-operated camps will be located at Madison Park Middle School. Camp highlights include field trips, arts and crafts, games and sports.
For a full list of summer 2025 offerings, visit www.madisonaz.org/families/before-and-after-school-programs/summer-camp-offerings-2025.
Summer camp offers cultural exploration
Madison School District will host a Spanish Immersion Summer Camp June 2-18 at Madison Heights Elementary, 7150 N. 22nd St. The program offers students entering kindergarten through fourth grade the opportunity to strengthen their Spanish language skills through full immersion.
Each week, students will explore a different Spanish speaking country. Students will have the opportunity to take a virtual tour to explore landmarks, learn about their music, traditions, food, and play traditional children’s games. Students will be exposed to the language, food, music, culture and traditions through fun, hands-on activities and games from Spanish speaking countries. Students will also complete weekly challenges using their communication skills in Spanish.
Camp will be held Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $160 for weeks 1 and 2, $120 for week 3 (no camp will be held June 19 in honor of Juneteenth). Registration is available for the full three weeks or individual weeks. Learn more at www.madisonaz.org/spanishcamp.
Osborn School District
Osborn announces teachers of the year
For the past seven years, the Osborn School District Educational Foundation has named three outstanding Osborn educators as Teacher of the Year. Awards this year will go to Mark Deyette, PE teacher at Encanto School, Jill Singh, teacher on special assignment/master teacher at Montecito Community School, and Erin Tikovitsch, master teacher at Osborn Middle School.
The recipients will be recognized throughout the school year and at a special celebration/fundraiser. Funds raised at this event are used to support special projects awarded through mini grants, sports, reading programs and other projects and activities that support student learning. This year’s event will be held Oct. 25 at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
Phoenix Union High School District
New principals to lead at Central and North
Jamie Johnston
The Phoenix Union High School District announced in May a change in leadership at two of its schools.
Jamie Johnston was named as the next North High School principal, beginning in the 2025-26 school year. She replaces Vanessa Casillas, who will transition to a safety director role at the district office next year. Johnston has served the North community as the assistant principal for Student Success (2020), assistant principal for Instruction (2022), and assistant principal for Achievement (2023 to present).
Johnston joined PXU as the Central High School band teacher in 2006 and moved to Camelback High School in 2013. She joined the leadership ranks in 2017 as a leader
Danielle Shields
in full-time training and later as assistant principal for Opportunities at Maryvale High School in 2018, where she remained until joining the North administrative team.
At Central High School, Danielle Shields will serve as principal beginning in the 2025-26 school year. She replaces Jacob Lambert, the school’s principal since 2023.
Shields has served as the assistant principal for Student Support at Central High School since 2022. She joined the Phoenix Union family in 2013 as a math teacher at Maryvale High School. She has served the Phoenix Coding Academy community as a founding math teacher and freshman-level instructional leader.
Washington Elementary School District
Enrollment open for 2025-26 school year
Whether it is free, full-day kindergarten, premiere special education and gifted services, art, music, PE, STEM or online learning, the WESD says that it has a program to meet the individual needs of all children.
With multiple A+ Schools of Excellence, a National Blue Ribbon and a National Title I Distinguished School, the WESD is also a top 20 school district in the country in student growth. Additionally, 78 percent of WESD schools are an “A” or “B”. The district is currently enrolling kindergarten through eighth grade students for the 2025-26 school year.
To start the enrollment process, stop by the WESD Welcome and Registration Center, located at 3200 W. Cholla St., or enroll online at www.wesdschools.org/registration.
Stacie Brown was recognized in May with a Silver Apple award for her “commitment, hard work and support” (photo courtesy of WESD).
Teacher receives ‘Apple’ award
Stacie Brown, fifth grade teacher at Richard E. Miller Elementary School, received some unexpected visitors to her classroom last month – Colton Shone from Arizona’s Family, a cameraman and other special guests to surprise her with the Silver Apple award.
Brown was nominated by her three students in honor of her commitment, hard work and support. Brown received a check for $1,000 from sponsor Desert Financial Credit Union.
Orangewood welcomes new principal
Emily Paterson, new principal at Orangewood School for the 2025-26 school year, was introduced at a recent governing board meeting.
Paterson received her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. She joined the WESD in 2009 and worked as a teacher and a student service specialist. In 2019, Paterson began serving at Orangewood as the assistant principal and has proudly supported the school community for six years. She also played a key role in Orangewood’s transformation from a “D” letter grade to two consecutive “A” letter grades.
The district said that Paterson will begin her new role on July 1, 2025.
