Page 4 December 2016 It’s easy to recognize and nominate your favorite teacher for Teachers We Love! Just fill out this form and mail, fax or drop it by our office. OR, you can nominate a teacher online at arcadianews.com Be sure to include details about why your teacher is great (more details = better chance of winning!) Winning teachers will receive special gift certificates to Postino and The Phoenician! DO YOU KNOW A TEACHER WHO REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE? Teacher/Administrator Name: ___________________________________________ School Name: _________________________________________________________ Your Name: ___________________________________________________________ Your Email Address: ___________________________________________________ Your Phone Number: ___________________________________________________ How does this person make a difference? ________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Teachers We Love c/o Arcadia News • 3850 E. Indian School Rd., Phx, AZ 85018 or fi ll out a nomination form online at: www.arcadianews.com Send Entries to: National Education Association, which is a rigorous, voluntary process that is considered one of highest credentials a teacher can receive, according to the NEA. By Greg Bruns H opi first grader Stella Moric’s nomination included more than a dozen compliments in support of her favorite teacher, Ms. Packer. Stella remembers her kindergarten teacher with words like “sweet, kind and loving.” However, it was the comment Stella made just before the surprise presentation of the Teacher We Love award that was the most impactful. “She taught me how to read.” Nicole Packer knows it takes a special kind of person to take on the task of educating those little ones at the ages of five and six. She had worked with kids before, but this was a little different than her babysitting job she held at age 11. “When I was student teaching, I wasn’t sure if I could do it,” Packer said. “They were so little. I’d be tying shoes all day long, reminding them to close the door when they go to the bathroom. It just seemed too much.” It was Packer’s mother who encouraged her to give it some time, knowing it would get easier and she would eventually ‘love it’. “That’s exactly what happened,” said Packer. “Now, I can’t imagine teaching another grade.” This may explain why she has been teaching kindergarten at Hopi for 17 years. She also has a unique way to relate to her students, having gone to elementary school herself at Hopi, before going on to Ingleside and Arcadia High. There are some benefits (or hazards, depending on the point of view) to teaching in your hometown. The next generation of students might include some offspring of those you grew up and went to school with. “Arcadia is such a tightknit community, people come back and raise their own kids here,” said Packer. “And it just so happens I’m teaching them.” Having a childhood relationship with the parents of the student you are teaching is something Packer enjoys, since the communication is already established. There’s more to it than that, though. Last year, Packer had her own baby, so things are a little different. “Being a parent gives me a new perspective,” Packer said. “Now I know how the little things can affect every day.” It’s the “organized chaos” of a day in kindergarten that Packer relishes the most. “We have a lot of structure, but you never know what they are going to say… it’s that, and their love because they really want to be here.” Which is a perfect match when the teacher loves kindergarten so much she doesn’t see herself teaching another grade. For the future, Packer would like to obtain a Master’s degree. She most recently earned her National Board Certification from the THIS MONTH’S WINNER: Nicole Packer NOMINATED BY: Stella Moric First grader Stella Moric with Ms. Nicole Packer (middle), flanked by mother Tanya and father Sonny. Winning teachers receive Arcadia News gift items, a gift certifi cate for The Spa at The Phoenician and a gift certifi cate for Postino. All winners are invited to an end of school year celebratory luncheon. Nominate a teacher you love at arcadianews.com.

2016 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/1/2016-10/31/2016) Active Homes - 79 Homes Homes Sold - 185 Homes Average Sale Price - $517,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $234 Average Days On Market - 91 days There is currently 4 months of home inventory. (based on 2015 sales results) 2016 home sales have increased 1% this year. (based on 2015 sales results) Home prices have increased 8% this year. (based on 2015 sales results) $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 4% this year. (based on 2015 sales results) Homes are taking 16% less time to sell this year. (based on 2015 sales results) 2015 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Active Homes - 66 Homes Homes Sold - 216 Homes Average Sale Price - $477,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $225 Average Days On Market - 108 days 2014 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT YEAR END SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 199 Homes Average Sale Price - $451,117 Average Sold $ Per SF - $208 Average Days On Market - 78 Days Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2016 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/1/2016-10/31/2016) Active Homes - 172 homes Homes Sold - 235 homes Average Sale Price - $1,206,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $326 Average Days On Market - 130 days There is currently 7 months of home inventory. (based on 2015 sales results) 2016 home sales have decreased 0% this year. (based on 2015 sales results) Home prices have increased 18% this year. (based on 2015 sales results) $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 8% this year. (based on 2015 sales results) Homes are taking 17% more time to sell this year. (based on 2015 sales results) 2015 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Active Homes - 144 homes Homes Sold - 291 homes Average Sale Price - $990,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $300 Average Days On Market - 108 days 2014 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT YEAR END SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 225 Homes Average Sale Price - $1,006,381 Average Sold $ Per SF - $286 Average Days On Market - 119 Days If you are buying or selling a home in Arcadia, call Tommy! visit Tommy Atkinson .com Free MLS Access • Complete list of ALL Hopi properties for sale Complete List of ALL Tavan properties for sale • Complete list of ALL Arcadia foreclosures 4825 E Palomino • $ 1,395,000 69,648 square foot lot Camelback Mountain Land West USA Realty Cell: 602-625-6020 tomatkinson1@msn.com I have several buyers looking for houses in Arcadia. If you don’t want to list your house but would consider selling, please call me. 6429 E Calle Redondo • $ 719,000 3 Bedroom/ 3 bathroom • 2,319 square feet Arcadia Ranch 4210 N 63rd Place • $ 1,299,000 4 Bedroom / 3.5 bath • 3,458 square feet Modern Arcadia Ranch 5416 E Avalon • $ 595,000 3 Bedroom/ 2 bathroom • 1,932 square feet Charming Arcadia Ranch 4811 E Calle Tuberia • $ 875,000 5 bedroom/ 3.5 bath • 3,044 square feet In The Heart Of Arcadia