Like many school years, the Sedona-Oak Creek School District saw several new faces this year both among students as well as faculty
Now that school has been in session in Sedona for three weeks, students are adjusting to a new grade, and teachers are learning their names.
“We are very excited about our new teachers,” SOCSD Superintendent Dennis Dearden said. “There is an excellent blend of new and very experienced teachers that we have on our team. We start very early in our recruitment process so we can attract the very best. There are many districts around the country and in our own state facing a teacher shortage. We have been very blessed at SOCSD to have all our vacancies filled.”
District-wide there are 732 students so far this year with 492 in the middle school and high school, 221 at West Sedona School and 18 at Red Rock Academy.
Dearden said the district budgeted for a loss of 30 students but it’s actually seen an increase of 75.
Each of the new teachers throughout the district were asked to answer a handful of questions in order for the public to get to know them a bit better.
■ Name: Marty Meyer
How many years have you been teaching? First year.
What are you teaching this year? Sixth and seventh grade world history, and eighth grade U.S. history.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I came to Sedona because I always wanted to move West, and I was lucky enough to be hired on at Sedona Red Rock High School.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? What I most love about teaching is cultivating young people’s curiosity and analytical skills about the world around them. I get to see them grow and mature while creating relationships that routinely make my day.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I love to read, cycle, hike and go see live music in the Flagstaff area.
■ Name: Heather Calandra
How many years have you been teaching? First year.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I am from the Verde Valley. I went to Mingus where I was a championship athlete that competed against Sedona Red Rock every year. I am familiar with the school and athletic programs as well as the area so it was a good place for me to fit in.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? I enjoy sharing my knowledge the most. I know how fun it was for me to learn it and to use it as well as how beneficial it is to know in your everyday life. The lessons you learn from a weights class build character and make you a better person. I enjoy being a role model for young athletes and students that want to get into a healthier lifestyle.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I spend a lot of time working out, hiking, cliff jumping, playing with my dogs and hanging out with family and friends.
■ Name: Dani Beinfest
How many years have you been teaching? 22.
What are you teaching this year? Fifth grade.
What brought you to the SOCSD? My husband moved his business to Sedona and luckily SOCSD gave me this awesome opportunity.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? Working with the students is my favorite part of teaching. I love helping to create lifelong learners.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I enjoy spending time with my family and I am excited to get out and explore more of Sedona.
■ Name: Jeff Goodman
How many years have you been teaching? Seven years.
What are you teaching this year? This year I have the privilege of teaching Resource English Language Arts as well as Intro to Psychology and computer programming/applications.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I’ve always wanted to teach in the Sedona-Oak Creek School District but was committed to the school I previously worked at. I finally decided that it was time to move my cheese and here I am in my dream job.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? The thing I enjoy most about teaching is seeing light of wonderment in the eyes of a child while being allowed to be in that experience of discovery with them.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? In my spare time, I love taking my cocker spaniel for long walks, playing my guitar, and spending time with my soulmate and wife of 39 years. We love getting in the car and seeing where the road takes us.
■ Name: Yuiko Ames
How many years have you been teaching? Six years high school, 10 years college.
What are you teaching this year? Special educator/case manager.
What brought you to the SOCSD? My husband and I always wanted to teach at Sedona Red Rock since we moved here in 2015 and this is a dream come true for us.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? I love seeing twinkling stars in my students’ eyes when they realize that math is something that is useful in their own lives.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I enjoy upcycling/sawing and practicing Japanese tea ceremony as my hobbies.
■ Name: Christopher Ames
How many years have you been teaching? Six in public schools, two in public schools in Japan and 20 in higher education.
What are you teaching this year? Photography and yearbook.
What brought you to the SOCSD? We have called Sedona home for the past six years, since moving here from Japan, but we worked as teachers on the Navajo Nation until this year when we landed work closer to home. Our new district is a 10-minute drive instead of 3.5-hour drive.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? I enjoy watching students grow and improve their abilities.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I like hiking and fishing, but get to spend more time cooking, which I also enjoy.
■ Name: Jean Westfall
How many years have you been teaching? 20 years total, 14 as a classroom teacher and six as an art and resource teacher.
What are you teaching this year? I teach art and math intervention for small groups.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I have always loved this area. The time seemed right to make a move, so I interviewed and luckily got hired in the district.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? The students. I love getting to know the students and seeing how they grow throughout the year.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I like to work with fabric, dyeing and sewing, and I do yoga.
■ Name: Amy Cameron
How many years have you been teaching? 25.
What are you teaching this year? 10th and 11th grade English.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I came back to Arizona because I always wanted to return. I love the beauty of Sedona and I cannot tolerate the heat in Phoenix.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? What I love best about teaching is the connection I have with my students. They make me laugh, and think and become a kid again, in a way. They keep me young. I would do anything for them.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? We love animals and nature.
■ Name: Jennifer Dvorak
How many years have you been teaching? 12.
What are you teaching this year? Biology and AP Environmental Science.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I moved from out of state to be closer to my family in the Peoria and Surprise, Arizona area. I was attracted to hiking opportunities in the area and to the friendliness of the SOCSD staff.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? I love doing activities with the students that help them understand the world around them.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? Hiking and being outside in general.
■ Name: Laura Marcos
How many years have you been teaching? 17.
What are you teaching this year? I’m the social emotional learning specialist and my role is to empower students, parents and teachers.
What brought you to the SOCSD? Their enthusiasm for providing social and emotional support for children and families in need.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? I love working with students and parents in matters of the heart and facilitating classroom workshops.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I love hiking, meditating, dancing at ecstatic dance and the flamenco show in Tlaquepaque, and attending many of the wonderful events in the Sedona community.
■ Name: Alexandra Martinez-Smith
How many years have you been teaching? 20.
What are you teaching this year? Spanish.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I love the community of Sedona and the natural landscape that surrounds it.
What do you enjoy most
about teaching? I enjoy connecting with my students, giving them confidence and helping them to learn skills that will empower them throughout their lives.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I enjoy mountain biking, running and spending time with my family.
■ Name: Josh Bartosh
How many years have you been teaching? This is my first year as a full-time teacher. I spent most of last school year as a building substitute teacher at my home school district in Pittsburgh.
What are you teaching this year? I am teaching all of the music classes for the district. That includes 3rd through 12th grade orchestra, elementary general music, intro to band and music appreciation.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I came to Sedona for the job. The opportunity was too good to pass up on, and I had never really lived anywhere besides Pittsburgh. The scenery is beautiful, and the pace of life in the town is much more relaxed than I’m used to.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? There’s a lot on my plate, but it is fun to do so much music every day.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, reading books and watching movies, hiking and being outdoors, and talking with friends and family.
■ Name: Sean Eicher
How many years have you been teaching? Eight.
What are you teaching this year? Physical education.
What brought you to the SOCSD? Mountains and adventure.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? Getting to know the students and teaching them the passion I have for sports.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? Running, cycling and traveling. The world is my playground and I need to experience it.
■ Name: Ashley Davis
How many years have you been teaching? 11.
What are you teaching this year? Middle school math.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I took a teaching job in Sedona to be near my boyfriend.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? I like to help students develop a growth mindset with the challenging subject of mathematics. It’s awesome when students persevere through struggle and learn to believe in themselves.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I’m a devoted marathon runner and enjoy spending time with my boyfriend and twin sister.
■ Name: Anna Collins
How many years have you been teaching? Six.
What are you teaching this year? Art.
What brought you to the SOCSD? I’ve lived in the area many years, and have a deep appreciation for the people and the beauty that surrounds us.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? Watching my students grow up mentally, physically, academically and being able to interact with an energetic group.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I love to paint, hike, sing, dance, travel.
■ Name: Chris Patterson
How many years have you been teaching: 17.
What are you teaching this year? STEM at WSS.
What brought you to the SOCSD? My wife got a job within the district so we moved here from Phoenix. We wanted to get out of the Valley and live in a smaller town.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? I love creativity and seeing what kids can come up with and using their minds.
When away from school, what do you enjoy doing? I’m an artist, a musician and I love to mountain bike, being outdoors and camping. I enjoy experiencing a lot of different things.
