4 OCTOBER 2017 ArcAd A News What made you decide to become a teacher? I always loved younger kids. I grew up in Wisconsin and I babysat when I was growing up. I would also help out at volleyball camps. After I graduated from college, I decided to venture out and move to Arizona. I didn’t really know anyone, but I felt like it was an adventure. At first, I worked for the Cartwright School District, and now I’ve been at Madison Camelview teaching kindergarten for three years! It must have been a strange experience to move to a place where you didn’t know anyone. It was honestly a little overwhelming having no family or friends nearby. But I’m an outgoing person, so it was pretty exciting. It’s a different world out here than in Wisconsin. It was hard to get used to the heat at first. And the scorpions. But I always loved this area, even when I was teaching in Cartwright. There’s a lot of fun things to do around here. What makes Madison Camelview a unique place to teach? What I love about Madison Camelview is how they celebrate each individual child. It was clear right away when I got here that that was a priority for the teachers. I also love the way we try to make school exciting for the kids. We will have assemblies that pump the kids up, and we always try to do things in the classroom that make the students excited about learning. Talk about what the kindergarteners in your classroom learn during the school year. A big thing is teaching them how to read. We work on phonics and then they progress to books. Watching them grow in their reading skills is one of my favorite parts of teaching. When they come in, they’re just sounding sounds and by the end of the year, they’re reading texts. It’s always exciting to watch them make those connections. We also emphasize math skills. My classroom has an accelerated math program, so the kids are doing 1 st and 2 nd grade level math when they are in kindergarten. How important is the social aspect for students in kindergarten? Learning social skills is very important for kids at this age. We use strategies to teach kids social skills from the very beginning of the year. They get together in groups and are learning to speak to peers constantly. Developing these skills at an early age is huge. W hat’s g reat about teaching kindergarteners is that they are so new at learning. Some of them are excited about school and some of them are not as excited. But you’re their first experience when it comes to a classroom. You can really mold their minds and help them to have a positive experience with school that they can take with them to the next grade! THIS MONTH’S WINNER: Rachel Jasinski – Madison Camelview Elementary NOMINATED BY: Hilary O’Brien Winning teachers receive Arcadia News gift items, a gift certifi cate for Elements Massage-Phoenix Arcadia and a gift certifi cate to Postinos. All winners are invited to an end of school year celebratory luncheon. Nominate a teacher you love at arcadianews.com. Do you know a teacher who really makes a Difference? It’s easy to recognize and nominate your favorite teacher for Teachers We Love! Nominate a teacher online at www.arcadianews.com Winning teachers will receive special gift certificates to Postino and Elements Massage Phoenix Arcadia!

tary 2017 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2017-8/31/2017) Active Homes - 72 Homes Homes Sold - 163 Homes Average Sale Price - $612,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $254 Average Days On Market - 78 days There is currently 4 months of home inventory. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 home sales have increased 10% this year. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 home prices have increased 14%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 7%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 Homes are taking 16% less time to sell. (based on 2016 sales results) 2016 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 219 Homes Average Sale Price - $527,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $235 Average Days On Market - 93 days 2015 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT YEAR END SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 216 Homes Average Sale Price - $477,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $225 Average Days On Market - 108 days Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2017 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2017-8/31/2017) Active Homes - 139 homes Homes Sold - 196 homes Average Sale Price - $1,144,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $330 Average Days On Market - 105 days There is currently 6 months of home inventory. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 home sales have increased 8% this year. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 home prices have decreased 6%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 0%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 homes are taking 18% less time to sell. (based on 2016 sales results) 2016 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 278 homes Average Sale Price - $1,210,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $328 Average Days On Market - 128 days 2015 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT YEAR END SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 291 homes Average Sale Price - $990,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $300 Average Days On Market - 108 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 West USA Realty Cell: 602-625-6020 4219 N 62nd Street • $ 1,150,000 5 Bedroom/ 3 bathroom • 4,000 square feet Santa Barbara Meets Arcadia 6009 E Osborn • $ 899,000 4 Bedroom/ 5 bathroom • 4,200 square feet Arizona Country Club 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.