Education

‘Early College Mom’

Director of Prescott Unified School District’s (PUSD) Early College Program, Molly Orr, has roots through her family’s three-generation heritage and contributions to the Prescott area education system. With a grandmother who was an educator in Arizona and California and a father who taught math at Prescott High School (PHS) from the 60s to the 90s, Molly said, “We don’t have buildings named after us, but my family has had a positive influence on this community since Arizona was just a territory!”

Nurturing the Seeds in Discovery Gardens

From student to educator, Discovery Gardens Special Education Preschool Director Stacy Williams has lived in Prescott since 1986, having attended Lincoln Elementary, Granite Mountain Middle School, and Prescott High School.

After her high school graduation, Stacy spent two years at Yavapai College where she had the opportunity to be a part of the team that brought the first Northern Arizona University (NAU) satellite campus to Yavapai County, catering to those students who wanted to become educators within the Prescott area without having to travel to Flagstaff for classes.

Maintaining the Foundation for Online Learning

For Christina Tymchak, Director of Online Learning at Prescott Unified School District (PUSD), her new role may not have evolved without the challenges faced in 2020. PUSD now offers online learning as an option and, while it may not be for everyone, Christina said she is pleased that it is offered to students who feel they would benefit.

“I Just Knew Lincoln Was Where I Wanted to Be”

From Parent to Principal, Elementary School Principal Karen Hughes Has Always Been Impressed with PUSD By Tara Fort From the very first day Karen Hughes walked one of her children to Lincoln Elementary School in Fall of 1999, she was hooked on what that special...

Farm to School

Former AmeriCorps VISTA (V olunteers in Service to America) member Sara Reveile had a goal for the Farm to School Program beyond her VISTA end date. She applied for—and was awarded—an Arizona Community Foundation grant to fund the continuation of the Farm to School Coordinator position with Prescott Unified School District (PUSD). In June 2022, district personnel hired her on as an official employee.

Investing in the Education of Local Children

Prescott Woman Magazine chatted with Dena Ford, Director of Skyview School, to find out what makes her enjoy Prescott and everything it has to offer.

‘We Were So Grateful’

The war in Ukraine has been stirring up memories for Mai Nguyen.

The impending North Vietnamese military invasion of South Vietnam forced Mai’s family to flee to the United States in 1975 when Mai was six years old, and she’s never returned. Vietnam has been a socialist republic controlled by communists ever since.

But you won’t hear Mai lamenting her life’s path.

Her Perfect Role

A Prescottonian through and through, Ashley Tetreault has seen all sides of the education system, from being a student since at Dexter as a child — and later at Miller Valley, Mile High Middle School and Prescott High School — to her adult role teaching in the Humboldt Unified School District.

Her journey has prepared her well for a new role as Principal at Taylor Hicks Elementary School. The position opened when district administrators appointed former principal Kelsey Secor to an administrative role.

Life is So Much Sweeter

I can’t stay silent. Eating disorders doubled during Covid. One in five diagnosed will die.

Quarantine was going as well as could be expected for our family of five. Our 10-year-old attended a micro-school and our teens seemingly thrived online. My husband and I worked away from home but were available as needed.

As we waited out the pandemic, we would have never guessed what was to come…

7 Benefits of Online Education

During COVID-19, some families started K12 e-learning and never sent their kids back to a traditional classroom. K12 e-learning is a type of education where students learn online instead of in a traditional brick-and-mortar school.

Relevancy and Innovation Stand at the Forefront

Dr. Barbara Jean Morris became Prescott College’s 18th President during an inauguration celebration on May 6. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and members of Barbara’s family attended.

“Today, we celebrate a new era at Prescott College, as we recognize and honor our history and embrace the future with energy and optimism,” said Lynne Nemeth, Chair of the Board of Trustees, before officially installing Barbara as President. “I know that I speak for everyone here—the Board of Trustees, administration, and faculty—when I say that we are all re-committing to student-centered, transparent, and transformative work as we forge a path to our future with our new President, Dr. Barbara Morris.”

Her Unofficial Title: ‘The Heart of the District’

Sarah Torres, Administrative Assistant to the Prescott Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent and Governing Board, and a Prescott High School (PHS) alum considers herself the go-to person for the district’s administrative team, her co-workers, and the board.