4 FEBRUARY 2018 ARCAD A NEWS complicate things, while kids see life for what it is. A lot of teachers have a lesson plan, but with younger children you always have to be willing to improvise. I’m known for being quite creative. For example, we’ll be outside and the kids will be playing with woodchips, and we will all just start counting woodchips together. Then we can use the woodchips to create different shapes, or make our own shapes. You use a variety of things to help the kids learn. My dad was a musician, so I’ll make up songs for absolutely everything and the kids love it. With kids this young, you have to be capable of going with the flow. Your interaction with children doesn’t really end when school gets out, does it? Oh no, I have seven kids of my own and I’m fostering two more. We also have four dogs, fish and a cockatoo. There’s never a dull moment, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m blessed to have good kids who are healthy, and I have no complaints. Tell us why you wanted to be a teacher. I always loved kids. There was always a spark there. I was drawn to kids and they were drawn to me. I always felt like I was supposed to do something important in this world. It took me awhile to figure out what it was. I’m a religious person, so I would talk to God and pray about it. It became clear that kids were my calling. There’s a lot of problems in the world and I realized I could make a difference through my own kids. But when my kids got older, I thought, what do I do? So, I decided that I would work with kids at a daycare center. I taught at Desert Christian and then came to Arcadia Montessori a little over a year ago. You teach toddlers. What kinds of things are you helping them learn? A lot of people say they have important jobs, and some do. But this is where it’s at. Teachers hold the key to a child’s entire future. The things you instill in kids at such a young age are what they will take with them for the rest of their lives. 75 percent of a child’s brain is developed at the age of three. So, you’ve really laid down a lot of groundwork at that point. That’s why their experience in school is so important. You teach them math and the alphabet, but you also help teach them life skills. How to sit at a table, how to respect an adult. This is important stuff! What traits do you have to have as a teacher when you are teaching children this young? Patience. You’ve got to be patient. You need to be willing to get down on their level, to not think of yourself as bigger or wiser. When I leave here, I’ll realize that a two- year-old taught me something. Adults can THIS MONTH’S WINNER: Linda Russell – Arcadia Montessori NOMINATED BY: Megan and Carlee Pearson Linda Russell teaches ages 18 months to 3-years-old at Arcadia Montessori. Winning teachers receive Arcadia News gift items, a gift certifi cate for Elements Massage-Phoenix Arcadia and a gift certifi cate to Postino. All winners are invited to an end of school year celebratory luncheon. Nominate a teacher you love at arcadianews.com. One of the interesting parts of this job is seeing what kinds of stories the Arcadia community responds to. Always near the top of the list are historical stories with old pictures. Whether it is because of how foreign and fascinating an older world looks, or simply a kind of nostalgia for a simpler time, historic stories are always some of our most popular. We’ve got a good one of these for you this month! Did you know that the idea for Arcadia can be traced back to one man? Along with his story (page 31), we’ve reprinted the original first advertisement for our community. On the modern front, February means it’s time for the Hopi Talent Show. This event, which started in the 80s, has put students front and center, letting them showcase their abilities. The story of how it got started and how it gets thrown together each year (page 34) involves directors, parents, emcees, and one fairly well-known rock star. Also, the high school girls basketball playoffs are getting started in the middle of this month, and the Arcadia Titans need your support! The team is in the middle of an impressive season, with the goal being nothing less than the state championship (page 54). Finally, one of the most encouraging stories from the last few months has been the success of the Arizona Helping Hands toy drive back in December. What you may not realize though, is how big a part our neighborhood played in helping to make the holiday season memorable for foster families (page 36). As always, I encourage you to reach out to me with any story ideas, suggestions or feedback. Many of our best neighborhood stories are made possible by local readers who contact us. We hope you enjoy the February 2018 edition – and thank you for reading the Arcadia News! — Nick Smith nick@arcadianews.com EDITOR’S NOTE

i 2017 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2017-12/31/2017) Active Homes - 69 Homes Homes Sold - 241 Homes Average Sale Price - $612,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $257 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 9%. (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 (1/01/2017-12/31/2017) Active Homes - 163 homes Homes Sold - 276 homes Average Sale Price - $1,140,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $332 Average Days On Market - 116 days There is currently 7 months of home inventory. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 home sales have increased 0% 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 1%. (based on 2016 sales results) 2017 homes are taking 9% 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 • $ 1,140,000 5 Bedroom/ 3 bathroom • 4,000 square feet Santa Barbara Meets Arcadia 4811 E Camelhead • $ 1,525,000 3 Bedroom/ 2.5 bathroom • 4,748 square feet Camelback Mountain Views 6009 E Osborn • $ 839,000 4 Bedroom/ 5 bathroom • 4,200 square feet Arizona Country Club 3114 N Marigold • $ 799,000 4 bedroom/ 3.5 Bath • 3,050 square feet Arizona Country Club 4350 E Vermont • $ 899,000 4 Bedroom/ 5 bathroom • 3,935 square feet • 4 cg Where Arcadia Meets PV 6235 E Lafayette • $ 1,450,000 3 Bedroom/ 3 bathroom • 3,948 square feet Quintessential Arcadia Ranch 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.