EDUCATION
Before the first bell 5 educators reflect on the year ahead and the advice they’ll share with students BY KAYDENCE SHIPMAN
Small school EVERY TEACHER KNOWS EVERY STUDENT WELL
Joseph Harvey School counselor, Leading Edge Academy What inspired you to work with kids? Just knowing I can help the kids. It’s never been about me; it’s about them. It’s knowing that I can help the younger generation prepare for what’s to come, especially with social media. I feel like it’s harder for them, and I just want to support them when they come back here every day. What are you most excited about this school year? I think I’m most excited to watch the eighth- grade class and see how they’ll grow by the end of the year. Do you still experience first-day jitters? I think I got the jitters out during my first year. I’m confident and comfortable with myself and the kids. What drink fuels your morning? I am a big Monster energy person. I like to have one after the drive line and it’s the perfect time for an energy boost. What’s one message you have for students? Be better tomorrow than you were today. Learn something today you can take into tomorrow that’ll make you a better human being.
Staff at Leading Edge Academy organize and set up classrooms in the days before classes begin.
Experiential learning REAL-WORLD PROJECTS ENABLE DEEPER INQUIRY AND PROBLEM-SOLVING
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HILE STUDENTS WERE MAKING THE MOST OF THEIR FINAL DAYS OF summer, teachers and school leaders were preparing for another school year. Before campuses reopened, we asked educators from across Maricopa about first-day jitters and what they’re most looking forward to this year.
Nate Wong Dean of academic services, A+ Charter Schools
Kids are going to be able to build drones, solar powered cars, bridges; and it will all be connected to the science standards. There’s 3D printers and so many other things that are super modern and very hands-on. Do you still experience first-day jitters? I do because you never know what the day is going to bring. What drink fuels your morning? A McDonald’s vanilla iced coffee or a Monster Blue Hawaiian drink. What’s one message you have for students? Slow down. It’s all right to be a kid. Kids are growing up in a rapidly changing world and want to grow up so fast, so I just tell them to slow down and value your time in everything you do. It’s going to be OK, so be patient with the process.
What inspired you to work in education? While teaching at a Houston community college, I coached YMCA basketball three times a week, and they were always the highlights of my days. It felt like God kept pressing me, so I just took a chance and I never regretted it. My job is way cooler than what I could have ever dreamt of. What are you most excited about for the upcoming year? We are continuing to emphasize project- based learning. We’ve had some really cool Archer showcases over the last couple of years and I’m excited to see that grow. We’ve also hired new teachers and staff, which will help with the growth. We are also launching SmartLab, a hands-on fully immersive STEM program.
Flourish Microschools Where uriosity omes ack to ife (602) 661-8259 • amanda@flourishschools.com FlourishSchools.com Inspiring teachers WHO SUPPORT STUDENTS’ GROWTH
Editor’s note: Interviews have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
InMaricopa.com | August 2026
August 2026 | InMaricopa.com
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