4 DECEMBER 2021 EDITOR’S NOTE I want to start this month’s note off with massive congratulations to our fearless leader, Greg Bruns, for winning 2021 Publisher of the Year from the Association of Community Publishers, the largest association of freely distributed papers in the country. Greg started at Arcadia News in 1997 as a humor columnist and worked his way through the business. When the previous owners decided to sell the paper in 2001, they offered it to Greg. Since then, it’s grown to include the Teachers We Love program, the Arcadia Scholarship, and all of the other awesome news our favorite people (the readers!) can learn about every month. The December edition – sprinkled with lots of holiday happenings – is also all about the people. We’ve highlighted the National Merit semifinalists at some area schools and are showing off all the recognitions from high school sports. Students at Tavan Elementary, along with a few local businesses, are gearing up for their annual Tavan Twinkles shopping boutique. Also close to my heart is the Arizona Humane Society’s Papago Park campus, which broke ground last month and will include various new programs along with continued adoptions. 2021 is coming to an end, and I’m excited to see what the new year will bring. Thank you, readers, for your continued support, and for reading Arcadia News . Happy holidays! – Mallory Gleich UPCOMING THEMES: No one has better coverage in the areas of Arcadia, Biltmore and the Camelback Corridor. Promote your business to 48,000 loyal Arcadia News readers. For more: 602-840-6379 or email roni@arcadianews.com . JANUARY Fitness/Health FEBRUARY History MARCH Spring & Arcadia Home + Design “You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.” –Maya Angelou How long have you been teaching at The Hills School? Some of my training was in Reggio Emilia, Italy, home to a beautiful philosophy of learning. The Hills School is a Reggio Emilia- inspired school so when the opportunity arose three years ago, I happily joined this community. Have you taught anywhere else? I’ve been a preschool teacher for nearly 20 years at Valley schools. Even when several schools weren’t Reggio-inspired, my classrooms reflected the philosophy. What is your favorite part of being a teacher? The “spark”. When children understand something new, it creates a rush of excitement to learn more. That feeds a teacher’s soul. I set to work to provide provocations that scaffold new curiosities. I ask questions and really listen to their answers. Why did you want to become a teacher? When my children were young, I struggled to find a good preschool. My mother encouraged me to become a teacher, to be the change I wanted to see. I started in Michigan as a paraprofessional and continued my college education in Arizona. How do you connect your lessons to the real world? We make connections in everything we do. We avoid rote learning because children often can’t understand the “why” of what they are learning. Children need to construct knowledge, not passively receive it. They learn physics by catapulting a pumpkin (yes, it was marvelous) or using playground pulleys. Our emergent curriculum starts with the interests of the child, yet we also cover the standards important for kindergarten. It’s a beautiful thing when children know that their curiosities are important and their voices are heard! What are some of your unique techniques you use for teaching? Children can safely do big things. We paint with electric drills, use sewing machines to make pillows in favorite shapes (even dinosaurs and firetrucks). In our woodshop, children use hammers and nails to make their names out of wood or a triple-layer doll bunk bed. My guidance is always there, they feel it. Our classroom dialogue is rich. I want to hear what they have to say. What is your teaching philosophy? I like the theories of Vygotsky and Piaget regarding how children must construct knowledge. Additionally, everything I do is under a social-emotional umbrella to help children be happy and healthy. “Nothing Without Joy” is a Reggio-inspired goal that I share. When did you move to Arizona? Nearly 20 years ago my husband and I came to Phoenix in two cars with two young children, two dogs, one tadpole, and a babysitter. It took our menagerie six days to get to Phoenix from my home state of Michigan. What is your favorite part of the Arcadia area? The Hills School children and the peaceful Shepherd of the Hills campus. Also my former students that have grown; I never forget them. Winning teachers receive an award certificate and special prizes. Thank you to our sponsors: Postino Arcadia, The Joffe Group and The Phoenician Spa. All winners are invited to an end-of-school year celebratory luncheon. Nominate a teacher you love at arcadianews.com . THIS MONTH’S WINNER: Michelle Lutz, preschool teacher at The Hills School Nominated by Breanna Chanson Michelle Lutz Ms. Michelle is so passionate about play-based and child-led education that she went on a pilgrimage in Italy to learn more about it. So, unlike me in the beginning, she doesn’t see a room full of little children, but rather a classroom full of students who have their own ways of communicating and just need someone who speaks their language. I’ve become a student of hers as well, and it’s changed my relationship with my daughter. Ms. Michelle fosters an atmosphere of curiosity, critical thinking, and a long-term love of learning that has changed our family forever. Serving the Arcadia area since 1958 | D O G S | CATS | B I R DS | EXOTI C S | Find us on Facebook! Member Since 1959 MEDI CAL • DENTAL • SU RG E RY • BOARDI NG • G ROOMI NG • O B EDI EN C E TRAI N I NG 4855 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix AZ 85018 | www.ingleside.com HOSPITAL 602-840-3446 | GROOMING 602-952-1754 • Grooming OPEN Tues - Sat Our lobbies are open. We will continue to perform curbside services for clients that prefer not to come inside. VISIT WITH SANTA! VISIT WITH SANTA! Dec. 11 in our lobby, 9am - 12pm Dec. 11 in our lobby, 9am - 12pm BRIAN A. SERBIN, DVM • JESSICA JORDAN, DVM • MOLLY R. KLEIN, DVM • KARISSA SCIACCA, DVM SCHEDULE YOUR HOLIDAY BOARDING TODAY! WE ENCOURAGE A DONATION TO TOYS FOR TOTS FOR A FREE PICTURE AND/OR BLANKETS AND TOYS DONATED FOR PETS.

2021 TAVAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2021-10/31/2021) Active Homes - 46 Homes Homes Sold - 186 Homes Average Sale Price - $982,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $400 Average Days On Market - 36 days There is currently 2 months of home inventory. (based on 2020 sales results) 2021 home sales have decreased 5% this year. (based on 2020 sales results) 2021 home prices have increased 19%. (based on 2020 sales results) 2021 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 19%. (based on 2020 sales results) 2021 Homes are taking 39% less time to sell. (based on 2020 sales results) Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2021 HOPI SCHOOL DISTRICT SALES RESULTS (1/01/2021-10/31/2021) Active Homes - 83 homes Homes Sold - 291 homes Average Sale Price - $2,084,000 Average Sold $ Per SF - $536 Average Days On Market - 60 days There is currently 3 months of home inventory. (based on 2020 sales results) 2021 home sales have decreased 3% this year. (based on 2020 sales results) 2021 home prices have increased 17%. (based on 2020 sales results) 2021 $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 19%. (based on 2020 sales results) 2021 homes are taking 42% less time to sell. (based on 2020 sales results) Free MLS Access: visit TommyAtkinson.com TOMMY ATKINSON Walt Danley Realty 602.625.6020 LISTINGS NEEDED FOR QUALIFIED BUYERS Ask me about my comprehensive online and print marketing program that exposes your home to the largest pool of quali fi ed buyers. HILLSIDE VIEWS 4730 E Charles Drive | $1,650,000 3 Bedroom | 2 Bath | 1,804 Square Feet