18 APRIL 2024 By Amaia J. Gavica The Scottsdale Charros Program supports SUSD in various ways – namely, by bringing programs, resources and scholarships to the schools and recognizing the district’s outstanding students and educators with The Scottsdale Charros Education Awards. For the past 60 years, educators in the district have received a personalized plaque and a $2,000 grant from the association. Here are the 2024 winners: !"#$%&'"(&)! !"#$%"&'($' Hines is a seventh and eighth-grade social studies teacher at Echo Canyon. She explained that she makes sure to interact with her students positively, building their confidence in learning and helping them value their own knowledge. In addition to teaching, Hines also participates on multiple school and district committees. She was nominated by her colleague, Ben Hawkins: “Sharon has an exciting way of teaching and engaging all of her students with the lessons she teaches. She also builds great rapport with them and it shows in her interactions with the students,” Hawkins said. “Her lessons are high quality, engaging and differentiated. Her classroom expectations are clear and concise. She stands out as a kind-hearted, bright and compassionate individual.” *#+'*(&, !"#$%"&'($' King has been in the industry for 23 years and currently teaches art at Echo Canyon. She said she values genuine fun in her classroom and always aims to encourage her student’s creativity. King said she felt shocked and glad to win the Charro Award before teaching her final year in Arizona. Next year, she is moving out of state to be closer to family. She said the most beneficial part of teaching is helping students understand they can do difficult things. ")#-")$'.%/0#& #$)*%!+!,!'-&.( Bowman has been an educator for 18 years, starting her career at Alhambra Elementary School District. Now, she teaches second grade at Hopi and says her heart’s always been drawn to teaching. Bowman also says the most beneficial part of her work is helping students become “lifelong learners.” She said felt shocked and honored when presented with the award: “I see that my time with them is so short, but I hope that the work that I do in teaching them how to think, question and just be scholars will be carried with them as they go, third grade and continued,” Bowman said. !#$#'$%,)$! -&/&'%!+!,!'-&.( Rogers has taught for five years in the Alternative Learning Center at Tavan. She said each student in her classroom has clear, individualized goals they desire to work toward. Rogers said she was excited to win the award, and seeing how much she is valued within her school and community was moving. “I didn’t cry when I received the award, but when I came back to my students and told them about it, they all came up and gave me a group hug. That’s when I started crying! I care so much about every one of them,” Rogers said. 0#$1)22#'34(&-#&# *'0+!1*2!%,*22+! Quintana currently teaches eighth-grade English Language Arts at Ingleside. She said she feels rewarded when teaching youth and makes an effort to connect with each student while aiming to be aware of when they seem to be struggling. She helps them excel through new teaching skills, encouragement and personal connections. Quintana said she was shocked to find out she won and was humbled to be among the notable teachers at her school. Quintana was nominated by liaison Kyle Backus: “Marcy has always been a great teacher, but this year she has stepped into an official leadership role. We can always depend on Marcy’s positivity, helpful nature, compassion for others, and a strong commitment to being inclusive,” Backus said. “Marcy cares deeply for the success of her kids and does whatever it takes to help each student meet his/her potential. She is an inspiring educator and worthy of this recognition.” 0#--")/'"#&*(&! &."&2*&%#*0#% Hankins has taught English for seven years – six at AHS. He exemplifies his love for hands-on learning by acting out scenes from Shakespeare plays as an alternative way for students to comprehend the material. Hankins’ students were in the classroom when he received the award, making his win even more special. “What really caught me by surprise was that my whole class just erupted in applause and that made me feel really great,” Hankins – who is also the Robotics Coach – said. Six local educators win 2024 SUSD Charro Awards Matthew Hankins Kay King Sharon Hines Heather Bowman Marcella Quintana Sara Rogers REAL ESTATE REAL RESULTS relentlessly local™ real estate experts • Combined Real Estate Experience of 36+ Years • Concierge Style Service • Arizona Natives • Arcadia Residents DALLAS PEAGLER, REALTOR® 602.821.9494 | Dallas@TheBrokery.com BREENA WESTFALL, REALTOR® 480.266.8313 | Breena@TheBrokery.com

19 APRIL 2024 I n Phoenix, the months of March and April are truly the prelude to spring. Whether you enjoy gardening or cooking, reading novels or cookbooks, the world seems to reveal its heart once the calendar pages turn. The need for sweaters and jackets no longer exists. For a couple of months, before the heat sets in, doing ‘everything and anything’ seems possible. How many times have you caught yourself saying “I did this quite by accident?” I love to laugh! I love to talk to people! I love to write! In college, instructions were given to write about something we know – an experience, an emotion, a revelation. A writing style often, not always, evolves from years of living life, and becomes a reflection of how that life has been lived. Hence, writing takes on a personality of its own. My world encompasses many varied interests. Among the most important are gardening, cooking and photography. This trilogy is interchangeable, and involves watching the calendar for planting times, testing products that enrich the soil while remaining organic, snapping photos of plant development, cooking with armfuls of produce that gets harvested and then creating simple yet flavorful meals. One must remember that the most rewarding feelings come from giving fresh produce away. Experimenting, while stepping out of a personal comfort zone, is not meant to be the path to intimidation, but meant rather to offer “wow, I can do this and enjoy myself” moments. Having said all this, welcome to “Thyme in My Kitchen.” I look forward to enlightening, enticing, and even occasionally humoring readers with experiences that did not turn out as smoothly as expected. Giving recommendations for great novels and cookbooks will be shared. I dance in the garden as well as in my kitchen… please join me. April’s cookbook recommendation: “Once Upon a Chef, The Cookbook” and “Weeknight/Weekend” by Jennifer Segal. If you want a selection of recipes that have been tested for quality of taste and appearance, this collection is for you. April’s novel recommendation: “The Secret Life of Sunflowers” by Marta Molnar. Be prepared to laugh and cry while savoring the life of Vincent van Gogh. April’s recipe: Vegetable soup using Chioggia beets and leaves, Romanesco broccoli, rutabaga, and carrots. Thyme in My Kitchen BY SHERRY KLUSMAN Happy accidents