Education
Learn about the women leading education in the Prescott area.
Wired to Achieve
Right from the start, students in Elizabeth Peters’ Electronics & Instrumentation program know they’re in for a challenge. “E&I is one of our more rigorous programs,” Liz, YC’s Electronics Technology and Pre-Engineering professor, said. “We hear students say, ‘I feel like I got a four-year degree in two years.’ They don’t always mean it as a compliment. But I think, ‘Cool! That’s what we’re going for.’”
Now in her tenth year at Yavapai College’s CTEC Campus, Liz teaches Pre-Engineering and Electronics, from the smallest sub-atomic particle to the gnarliest circuit board. “It’s in the family. My dad started the E&I program at YC.”
Her brother graduated in the program’s first cohort. Then Liz followed in 2012. She was working for an international aerospace company when her dad suggested, “Hey, I think you could be a good teacher. We need somebody.”
The Necessary Tools for Educator and Student Success
For Cathy Moody, ensuring the seamless procurement of necessary items requested by educators to enhance their roles for supporting the students is a vital component to the district’s operations. Cathy, Director of Purchasing and Procurement at the Prescott Unified School District (PUSD) since 2021, explained, “Anything purchased for PUSD, including trade services for plumbing and HVAC, comes through purchasing department. The most fulfilling aspect of my position is making sure that our staff and students have the necessary goods and services to succeed.”
Working with vendors like Amazon, Walmart, security and fire systems, and printing companies, just to name a few, Cathy recognizes the importance of maintaining those positive vendor relationships and connections. “The most challenging part of my role is ensuring that we are purchasing responsibly and getting the most out of our money while ensuring staff and students have precisely what they need. We have so many needs in the district, so keeping vendor communication lines open can make a big difference in the cost savings of an item. Since taking on this role, I have helped the district save close to a million dollars by negotiating with vendors or finding better deals.”
Shaping School Culture
For the Character Coaches at Prescott Unified School District (PUSD), offering a positive impact on students’ lives is the highest priority. These women have the essential role of teaching strength-building skills for character development in many forms including assisting with conflict resolution; developing social skills; providing supporting and preventive interaction with students in the playground, lunchroom and other unstructured areas; helping develop positive relationships with students and families; viewing and assisting with low-level behavior remediation and intervention/conflict; and teaching self-regulation and coping skills to ensure classroom success methods.
Building Her Destiny in Chino Valley
Some people find their niche in this life. Some carve their own. It’s accurate to say Marnee Zazueta, Yavapai College’s Chino Valley Campus Dean, climbed to the top of the academic ladder. But she built the ladder first.
“I am a Chino Valley girl,” she said. “Grew up here from kindergarten, went to Chino Valley High School.”
There, her monster work ethic caught the attention of Agriculture Teacher John Morgan. “John has been telling me, since I was thirteen, that I would be a teacher someday.”
Catch a Ride on Yav Connect!
Yav Connect, operated by the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Organization (CYMPO), supports your daily commute. This microtransit service, now expanding from Prescott Valley into the heart of Prescott, will make getting around easier and more convenient for residents. By choosing Yav Connect, you’re not just getting a ride—you’re contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable environment and a more connected community.
Difficulties Become Possibilities
any daily miracles occur through Horses with Heart in Chino Valley. A new Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) program promises to create even more.
Accredited through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, Horses with Heart has provided therapeutic riding to people with disabilities, veterans, first responders, and seniors since 1993.
EAL is an experiential learning method (based on experiences and observation) that promotes personal growth and improved life skills through partnership with horses. Skills developed include trust, confidence, communication, social skills, boundary setting, respect, critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership. Credentialed facilitators guide safe interactions with our horses.
The Glue that Holds Everything Together
For Prescott Unified School District (PUSD), the collaborative efforts of its Administrative Assistants foster a unique bond to ensure the success of students, staff, parents and community.
Nothing short of variety, these women are the face of the schools and do it all, allowing them to show leadership and multitasking at its best. With duties such as scheduling staff and athletics needs, overseeing registration, managing the front office and all staff, tracking student progress for graduation, setting up online classes, sending out progress reports, maintaining monthly tuition, submitting weekly money deposits and time clocks for their employees, communicating with families, and “other duties as assigned,” it’s evident that no day is exactly like the previous one.
‘Something for Every Learner’
Tiffany Boehle said the best part of her job is “the chance to be creative and facilitate projects that benefit PUSD students and families while solving problems along the way.”
As the Prescott Unified School District’s (PUSD) Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), Tiffany manages a department of twelve CTE programs on the Prescott High School (PHS) campus.
“I enjoy helping students find career paths that benefit them and the community, and there are so many CTE opportunities that are available to students for free,” she said. “CTE offers students a low-risk opportunity to learn skills, develop professionalism and earn industry certificates that lead to steady employment and fill critical and high-demand professional needs of our community.”
Embracing Innovation
Kelsey Secor is no newcomer to Prescott Unified School District (PUSD). Initially hired in July 2008 as an educator, since 2022, she has embraced her newest evolving role as Director of Instructional Support. This role’s initiative is to support district leaders in keeping up with education trends and the latest research while providing meaningful and relevant professional development opportunities.
She said, “I’ve been a student, teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, director, and parent — all within PUSD.” District life is not more all-encompassing than that, and Kelsey gives 100 percent in every role.
An Invaluable Learning Experience
As the world’s leading higher education institution for aviation and aerospace, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ensures its students acquire expert knowledge through faculty guidance, hands-on experience, and research.
Embry-Riddle Summer Programs will offer these opportunities and more to pre-college teenagers considering a future in science, technology, flight, and beyond this summer.
“We are excited to welcome students to our Prescott Campus again,” said Summer Programs Manager Jenn Downing. “Whatever your interest, you will find the perfect mix of academics and camp fun waiting for you.”
It’s All in the Data
Prescott Unified School District’s (PUSD) Testing Coordinator Rene Steingraber’s goal is to meet the district’s ever-changing proficiency testing and assessment needs. With that in mind, she assists educators, board members, and the public in understanding the data state testing provides through its assessment of students in grades three through 11.
“In the past, states did not have all of the proficiency testing expectations required by law today,” Rene said. “Over time, districts began seeing a need to better monitor the learning of all students.”
Opportunities Abound
During a Prescott Woman Magazine interview, Jamie Bjune said she looked forward to implementing a new grant program for indoor hydroponic gardens at Granite Mountain Middle School later that day. The Federal Programs Director for Prescott Unified School District (PUSD), Jamie and her team in the grants department said the hydroponic gardens grant serves as just one small example of the many grant opportunities available for PUSD students.