4 MAY 2018 at this age. Let them get messy, or stand up and learn, or possibly go outdoors. Singing is a good one! We sing songs in our class, including in Spanish and Hebrew. Music can change a child’s demeanor. As soon as we start singing, there’s not enough room on the circle time mat. They all want to be a part of it. My goal is really to help children achieve independence and confidence. Part of getting there is giving kids respect. Give their words and feelings weight and listen to what they are saying. Do you use experiences from your own life with the kids? One example I use is my sister. I have a twin sister, along with a younger sister and brother. A rule in our house was we had to be enrolled in a physical activity. I chose field hockey, and my younger siblings chose soccer. My twin, who has autism, chose ballet. What’s funny is out of all of us, she had the most success. She was one of the first African-American prima ballerinas to get into the Juilliard School on a full-ride scholarship! This helped shape the way I teach and it’s a lesson I use for my kids. Sometimes, you need to look at the bigger picture. It’s not always about winning the title. A lot of the time, life is about experience and the journey. What made you want to be a teacher? I grew up in Huntington Beach and had a really rough childhood in some ways. I was expected to do a lot in my household, driving my sisters and brother to school and to practices. I had a lot of responsibility given to me at a young age. I couldn’t go away to college, so I went to community college while working part-time at an after-school program. I had a son when I was 21, and when he was three I enrolled him in a co-op preschool. I met amazing families there, it was really guided toward building a community where our kids could thrive. I was inspired by that, the idea of slowing down and being present with children. So I decided to go full force toward education. Jewish heritage and fostering a positive Jewish identity are a big part of Solel. Tell us how you do that? In Judaism, family and tradition are very important. I’m not Jewish, but I was welcomed with open arms, no questions asked. One big aspect is teaching the children how to celebrate the earth. The belief is that we have one earth that has been given to us, and we have to learn how to take care of it. We observe many traditions and holidays. A lot of Judaism includes the entire family. The Seders and celebrations include children, and we teach the children about the traditions. The kids can pick flowers and bring them in to help set the table in the classroom. No real candles, that might end badly, but we do have pretend candles that we use. My class is just getting verbal, and the kids learn to recite prayers, which I think is amazing. What sort of teaching style do you use with preschoolers? I follow the teachings of a lot of different educational styles, but I tend to gravitate toward a Montessori or a Waldorf school. I truly believe that if you put something in a child’s hands and they can feel it, mold it, and really connect with it, the concept will go into their brain easier. Sensory play is important THIS MONTH’S WINNER: Allegra Hudson – The Solel Preschool NOMINATED BY: Arianna Doherty Allegra Hudson teaches at The Solel Preschool. 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. Mother’s Day is one of the biggest highlights during the month of May, and I personally have come to see the holiday in a whole new way than I did in 2017. This will be the first official Mother’s Day for my wife Leslie Anne, as we welcomed our first baby last October. Our daughter Elaine is now six months old (cover photo), and the last half year has made it perfectly clear to me that no one deserves to have a day of honor more than moms do. From the moment Elaine arrived, my wife has been completely devoted to this new life, completely at the expense of her own. She gives up much needed sleep to wake up every night, changes dozens of baby and grown-up outfits each day, remains calm over the bloodcurdling shrieks of a baby who doesn’t want to be rocked to sleep. I watch with a mixture of awe and pride as she never lets Elaine see how hard the job is, smiling at her no matter what, even when sharp baby fingernails are accidentally tearing into her face. My wife is a superhero, and she and mothers just like her are why we’ve devoted so much of our May issue to moms. There’s a list of great spas where you can spoil your own mom this year (page 20), while columnist Robin Sewell pens a touching note about her own mother (page 26), and the impact she’s had on her life. We’re also telling the story of Laura Murphy (page 32), a mom who made a huge impact on our local history, all while leading her family through things most of us can’t even imagine. Other stories featured in our May edition include the 20th anniversary of the Hubbard Family Swim School (page 28), updates on some of the ever-expanding retail complexes around the area (page 36), and college signing day for athletes at Arcadia High School (page 48). 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 loyal readers, who contact us. We hope you enjoy this May 2018 edition – and thank you for reading the Arcadia News ! — Nick Smith nick@arcadianews.com EDITOR’S NOTE 5410 N. Scottsdale Rd. 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2018 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2018-3/31/2018) Active Homes - 71 Homes Homes Sold - 60 Homes Average Sale Price - $648,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $272 Average Days On Market - 89 days There is currently 4 months of home inventory. (based on 2017 sales results) 2018 home sales have increased 0% this year. (based on 2017 sales results) 2018 home prices have increased 6%. (based on 2017 sales results) 2018 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 5%. (based on 2017 sales results) 2018 Homes are taking 12% more time to sell. (based on 2017 sales results) 2017 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 241 Homes Average Sale Price - $612,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $257 Average Days On Market - 78 days 2016 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT YEAR END SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 219 Homes Average Sale Price - $527,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $235 Average Days On Market - 93 days Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2018 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2018-3/31/2018) Active Homes - 210 homes Homes Sold - 69 homes Average Sale Price - $1,201,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $345 Average Days On Market - 141 days There is currently 9 months of home inventory. (based on 2017 sales results) 2018 home sales have increased 0% this year. (based on 2017 sales results) 2018 home prices have increased 5%. (based on 2017 sales results) 2018 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 4%. (based on 2017 sales results) 2018 homes are taking 18% more time to sell. (based on 2017 sales results) 2017 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 276 homes Average Sale Price - $1,140,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $332 Average Days On Market - 116 days 2016 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT YEAR END SALES RESULTS Homes Sold - 278 homes Average Sale Price - $1,210,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $328 Average Days On Market - 128 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 4955 E Indian School #8 • $ 295,000 2 bedroom/ 3 bathroom • 1,291 square feet Arcadia Fixer Upper 6009 E Osborn • $ 789,000 4 Bedroom/ 5 bathroom • 4,200 square feet Arizona Country Club 3114 N Marigold • $ 665,000 4 bedroom/ 3.5 Bath • 3,050 square feet Arizona Country Club 6235 E Lafayette • $ 1,295,000 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.