The 'Supe Scoop

Dr. Finch speaks with the two DVUSD rookies of the year for the 2024-25 school year: Austyn Lucero-Storlid and Dawson Caldwell. While each teacher has a unique path to the head of the classroom, they had the same inspirations to set them on their path.

Dr. Finch learns more about the DVUSD Mandarin Immersion program from a student, teacher, and a national champion speaker all in the program's Gavilan Peak/Boulder Creek track. You'll see how language immersion can open doors in the classroom and in a student's everyday life.

Summer break will be here before you know it. What are your kids doing to beat the heat (and boredom)? Dr. Finch learns more about the summer opportunities to catch up, get ahead, or to just have some fun.

Dr. Finch catches up with some award-winning and state finalist teachers, including Boulder Creek's Ryan Donovan and Emmett Burnton, and Anthem School's Mary Killebrew to see how their journey brought them and their schools to the winner's circle.

During this National School Counseling Week, Dr. Finch learns more about the options available to DVUSD students and staff in psychological counseling and academic counseling. Those in need of either or both are in the great hands and care of district counselors.

One of the many important parts of this past election was the selection of three DVUSD governing board members. Kim Fisher was re-elected to the board, and the two remaining open seats were won by Dr. Karen Pack and Steve Bottfeld. While Pack and Bottfeld are new to the board, they are not new to public education or DVUSD.

It's a special moment when a school district has a band place in the marching band finals in state competition. It's a very special moment when a band wins its division in state competition. And it's truly #extraordinary to have ALL of your high school bands place in the finals with TWO schools winning state championships. That's exactly what happened at ABODA this past November. Dr. Finch see...

A lot of factors go into school letter grades, and it often takes a lot of time to make it to the top and stay there. Dr. Finch talks to three DVUSD principals who have lead an A-rated school for years, for the first time, or are working their way to the top.

In conjunction with DVUSD's High School to Career Expo on October 24, Dr. Finch sat down with CTE students, advisors, and industry pros to see how CTE is positively impacting students' lives by getting them prepared for a career after high school graduation.

Since 1991, the DVUSD M&O override has funded athletics, arts, free full-day kindergarten, student services, gifted programs, and so much more. Dr. Finch discusses the effect of override funding with the people who see it in use every day. Listen to more episodes of The 'Supe Scoop podcast at DVUSD.org/supescoop.

Residents living in the DVUSD boundaries will have an opportunity to vote on a proposed bond to help fund DVUSD schools. What exactly does the bond fund? Dr. Finch hears from leaders in facilities, athletics, school operations, and transportation to share how past bonds have helped DVUSD grow as well as what could happen if bond funds dry up.

In this episode of The 'Supe Scoop Podcast, you'll get to know Union Park teacher Brenda Western, who overcame challenges early in her life and is now paying it back by helping neighbors who literally became her family. And you'll meet Cooper Creek custodian Howard Massey, who at 87 years old drives the extra miles to make students and staff on campus feel at home. Listen to more episodes at D...

DVUSD has three new principals this year, but they are not new to DVUSD. Hear how Jessica Brunk, Bryan Eberwein, and Samantha Colangelo all made the leap from assistant principal to principal.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Finch talks to some of the people who work year-round to make sure DVUSD schools are operating fully, especially for the first day of school. You'll hear from a plant supervisor, a registrar, and a secretary who help our schools shine every day, not just the first day!

For more than 30 years, DVUSD has worked hand-in-hand with Head Start– a program that has assisted more than 38 million children nationwide since its inception in 1965. Head Start provides early learning and development opportunities, health and wellness guidance, family well-being assistance, and family engagement. DVUSD’s relationship with Head Start is growing in correlation to the growing n...

The annual high school art showcase and superintendent's selection of pieces to be housed at the district office happened in March at the Outlets North Phoenix. Dr. Finch caught up with all five award winners to talk about their inspiration behind the pieces.

All those nights of reading the same story to your toddler over and over and over again actually will pay off! Dr. Finch stops by West Wing School to discuss the science of reading with K-2 teachers and reading specialists, and a trio of Battle of the Books champion students! Listen to more episodes of The 'Supe Scoop podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or DVUSD.org/supescoop.

In 1986, Victor Mendoza and his younger brother came to the United States from Guatemala with literally nothing and no one to connect with. Over the next 30 years, Victor worked hard as a maintenance technician at various businesses around Phoenix, and then he found a home in DVUSD starting at Deer Valley High School. Victor's extraordinary story is shared with Dr. Finch, and with you, as the ...

While you're never too old to learn, there's a standard starting point for formal education-- kindergarten! Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is underway, and if your child will be 5 years old by August 31, you can sign him or her up for free full-day kindergarten. And why should you sign up for kindergarten with DVUSD? Dr. Finch lets the kids tell you why in this episode of The 'Supe Sco...

The National Board Certification process is rigorous and time-consuming, but the rewards speak for themselves. On this edition of The Supe Scoop podcast, we learn more about the National Board Certification, and meet five DVUSD teachers who received certification this past year. You'll hear how this education for teachers not only helps reshape their teaching process, but it also helps their st...

It's easy to take the little things in life for granted. For many families in the DVUSD community though, the "little things" like shoes and clothing and food are big things because they are not always available. The new Ann E's Giving Closet & Pantry at Deer Valley Middle School aims to help families in need. With the assistance of Chasse Building Team, Callahan Care, and GCU CityServe, Ann E...

Did you ever wonder why DVUSD students are released 90 minutes early on Fridays? Professional Learning Communities, or PLC, is why. But what is PLC and why do they make a major positive difference for both teachers and students? Dr. Finch digs into why DVUSD is part of the PLC process, as he hears from teachers and PLC leaders at two DVUSD schools. Listen to more Supe Scoop episodes at DVUSD....

There's no secret that there are thousands of teacher vacancies in Arizona and in America, but DVUSD's percentage of vacancies is a small part of that larger number thanks in part to the Teacher Prep Program (TPP). The TPP allows people with various professional backgrounds to transition to the role of school teacher while teaching in the classroom, keeping the teacher vacancy gap down while s...

The Arizona Department of Education recently announced its school grades based on the 2022-23 student performance, and DVUSD has a district-best 26 schools earn an "A". But what exactly does it mean to be an A school? In this episode of The 'Supe Scoop, we hear from principals, teachers, and number crunchers explain how a school gets that coveted "A" grade, and what it means to everyone involv...

With Veterans Day coming up, Superintendent Dr. Curtis Finch wanted to get to know more about military veterans who are now working for DVUSD. From what got them into the military, to how they are now guiding students and staff in public education, you'll further appreciate the dedication and devotion to public service these men and women bring to the district.

Dr. Curtis Finch sits down with Career & Technical Education (CTE) students, staff, and recruiters to share what CTE is and how it prepares students for work and for life. The CTE Career Expo is October 26th at the DVUSD Innovation Center. Hear more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at DVUSD.org/supescoop.

It's not unusual to see children of teachers become teachers themselves. But DVUSD has some interesting family ties, as we share the story of three mother/daughter combos who teach at the same school. On duo even teaches the same grade! Learn how each blazed her own path, while still relying on the other today. For more episodes of The 'Supe Scoop, visit DVUSD.org/SupeScoop.

Dr. Finch sits down with DVUSD deputy superintendent of Fiscal & Business Services Jim Migliorino to go over the factual information that will provide some insight in to this important bond and M&O override election. For more information on the election, visit DVUSD.org/election. For previous episodes of The 'Supe Scoop, visit DVUSD.org/SupeScoop.

Dr. Finch meets three DVUSD high school seniors, who are each doing their part to make their community or another community in the world a better place. You'll learn more about these extraordinary students in the latest episode of The 'Supe Scoop! See more episodes at DVUSD.org/SupeScoop.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Finch catches up with DVUSD's newest football stars... the girls flag football players! While Dr. Finch visited the Mountain Ridge flag football team, and ABC 15 recently featured the O'Connor football team, all five DVUSD high schools will field their inaugural flag football squad this fall. And speaking of fall sports, it goes beyond football as many people discover...

DVUSD Superintendent Dr. Curtis Finch visits with 4 new-to-DVUSD principals who are leading their schools in the 2023-24 school year. You'll get to know Greenbrier Elementary principal Cindy Mills, Gavilan Peak School principal Kimberley Elms, Sunrise Elementary School principal Tonya Knight, and Constitution Elementary School principal Gina Millsaps. Each principal brings a wealth of experien...

Welcome to the first episode of The 'Supe Scoop! DVUSD superintendent Dr. Curtis Finch takes you inside the operations of the district's transportation department. Our bus drivers deliver the most precious cargo, our students, to/from school and extracurricular events. Dr. Finch learns what it takes to be a bus driver, the benefits of driving for DVUSD vs. other transportation systems, and how...