Lewis: Making SUSD Arizona’s sought-after school district

Donna Lewis

Submitted photo

When students love their teachers and connect with their classmates, and when relevant problems are presented with rich resources, children thrive! As an experienced teacher, high school principal, middle school principal and elementary principal, I developed teacher training systems to make student academic success our number one priority.   

In my 40-plus years of experience, using state standards to gauge progress, I led schools from C,D,F status to A,B,C status using the state accountability system. But beyond the “labels,” students loved school. Why? Because I embraced their interests and talents and nurtured their curiosities in a developmental and academic manner.

I invited student creativity and teacher innovation. I welcomed problem-solving approaches and creative opportunities to design and invent various solutions to topics and problems presented in all areas of the curriculum. 

I chose to run for the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board for one purpose: to provide children with the best learning environment possible for top-notch academic success.

As governing board policy leaders, Mike Sharkey, Matt Pittinsky, and I can achieve this in three fundamental ways:

*Assuring a clear and viable curriculum with stimulating instruction and on-going formative assessments.

*Supporting our teachers with training, resources, and a thriving working environment that makes their complex work joyous.

*Partnering with our parents to assure that each child’s individual needs are met.

As Arizona’s former Superintendent of the Year, who worked with an award-winning governing board, earning national accolades for fiscal efficiencies, I am confident we can make SUSD Arizona’s sought-after school district. Vote for Mike Sharkey, Donna Lewis, and Matt Pittinsky for the SUSD Governing Board. Doing this work WITH you over the next four years will be a pleasure.

Donna Lewis is running for a seat on the SUSD Governing Board. Candidates are permitted one letter during the election period. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.