SUSD Spotlight
The SUSD Spotlight podcast is Scottsdale Unified School District’s official podcast featuring co-hosts Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel and Director of Communications & Marketing, Kristine Harrington, interviewing a wide-range of guests. The stories ”spotlighted” showcase the best of the SUSD’s community of students, alumni, parents, staff members, and community partners and exemplify the district’s commitment to engaging all students in word-class, future-focused learning.
Episodes
![The Girl Who Figured It Out: Minda Dentler's Remarkable Journey](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/062824-MindaSUSDSpotlight_eng2x2_300x300.jpg)
5 days ago
5 days ago
In this inspiring episode of the "SUSD Spotlight" podcast, we dive into the extraordinary life of SUSD parent, Minda Dentler, a powerhouse of determination and inspiration. Minda, the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship, shares her incredible journey from an orphanage in India to the global stages of advocacy and athletics. SUSD is proud to have her as a parent and a role model within the community. Tune in to hear Minda discuss her trailblazing path, the impact of her children's book "The Girl Who Figured It Out," and her powerful message of perseverance that challenges us all to redefine identity beyond disability. Join hosts Dr. Menzel and Kristine Harrington for an unforgettable conversation with a woman who lives by example, showing what it means to overcome adversity and achieve the unimaginable.
![SUSD Innovates, Magic School, and AI w/Dr. Michelle Watt](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/michellewattpodcastcoverart_grpmch_300x300.jpg)
Friday Jun 21, 2024
SUSD Innovates, Magic School, and AI w/Dr. Michelle Watt
Friday Jun 21, 2024
Friday Jun 21, 2024
In this episode of the "SUSD Spotlight" podcast, we are thrilled to feature Dr. Michelle Watt, a visionary leader at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence and innovative strategies within the educational landscape of the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD). Join us as we explore the groundbreaking initiatives led by Dr. Watt and her dedicated team, focused on aligning technology and education through strategic planning and pioneering partnerships including the newly launched Magic School AI-tool for students and staff.
![The "Grow with sUSd" Coloring Book w/Chap Student Artist Jackson Washburn](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/coloringbookcoverart_qtfund_300x300.jpg)
Friday Jun 14, 2024
The "Grow with sUSd" Coloring Book w/Chap Student Artist Jackson Washburn
Friday Jun 14, 2024
Friday Jun 14, 2024
In today’s episode of the "SUSD Spotlight" podcast, we take a look at the district’s new and very first “Grow with SUSD” coloring book, illustrated by Chaparral High School junior Jackson Washburn. The “Grow with SUSD” coloring book is the start of a campaign to highlight the meaningful journey through SUSD schools that students can take. From education opportunities for children as young as 2 years old, SUSD offers a pathway to truly grow from early childhood to career readiness and Jackson, is a testament to that starting in SUSD at 6 years old at Cheyenne Traditional School. We’ll ask Jackson about his own artistry and background, what working on the coloring book was like, and his future dreams of working as a cartoon animator.
![From Scottsdale to England - Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet's Spiritual Journey](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/PodcastCoverArt-DRAFT_copy_2_jsmshc_300x300.jpg)
Friday Jun 07, 2024
From Scottsdale to England - Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet's Spiritual Journey
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Friday Jun 07, 2024
In this insightful episode of the "SUSD Spotlight" podcast, we explore the journey of Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet, a proud SUSD alum, from his roots in Scottsdale, to becoming the esteemed Rabbi of St. Albans Masorti Synagogue in the United Kingdom. Rabbi Zagoria-Moffet shares his reflections on growing up in SUSD, the impact of his education on his path to spiritual leadership, and the rich experiences that led him to embrace his role in the Jewish community across the pond. Rabbi Zagoria-Moffet offers advice to current SUSD students navigating their own paths, spotlighting the diverse possibilities SUSD graduates can aspire to.
![Blue Zones Project Revolutionizes SUSD Nutrition w/Sarah Kearney and Patti Bilbrey](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/SUSDSpotlightBlueZonesPodcastCoverArt_7c2mx2_300x300.jpg)
Friday May 31, 2024
Friday May 31, 2024
In today’s episode of the "SUSD Spotlight" podcast, we learn about Blue Zones life practices and policies that encourage longer, healthier lives for everyone. Featuring Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Scottsdale, Sarah Kearney, and Patti Bilbrey, Director of Nutrition Services. We will explore the exciting partnership between SUSD and Blue Zones and discuss how Blue Zone principles will be integrated into our school meals leading to a healthier experience for our students. Listen in as we discover how the environments we create can lead to healthier lifestyle choices and learn about the transformative initiative that is the Blue Zones Project. Since recording this episode, one of our very own schools (Echo Canyon) received the historic honor of being named Arizona's first Blue Zones-certified school, we celebrate this achievement which signifies the strength of Scottsdale partnerships.
![Igniting Entrepreneurship with Early College Campus at Coronado High School](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/PodcastCoverArt-Ep8_z7pgf4_300x300.jpg)
Friday May 24, 2024
Igniting Entrepreneurship with Early College Campus at Coronado High School
Friday May 24, 2024
Friday May 24, 2024
In this episode of the "SUSD Spotlight" podcast, we learn about the Early College Campus at Coronado. SUSD and Scottsdale Community College have formed a partnership at Coronado to offer valuable opportunities for Dons to establish connections with SCC professors and local industry leaders and to introduce high-interest classes not already offered as part of dual-enrollment offerings at Coronado High School.
![SCORE - Creating College & Career Opportunities for All](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/PodcastCoverArt-SCOREFix_2ci6a6_300x300.jpg)
Friday May 17, 2024
SCORE - Creating College & Career Opportunities for All
Friday May 17, 2024
Friday May 17, 2024
In this episode of the "SUSD Spotlight" podcast, we learn about the amazing academic program called SCORE which serves as a transition program to pair students, their families, and community partners to bridge high school students to future career opportunities. SCORE helps to develop skills to provide independent career exploration and transition planning with real-world mentorship and the PAES program. Learn more about the impact of the SCORE program by hearing from Stephanie Muecke and student, Nathan Clouse with us today on Spotlight!
![Mandarin DLI Offerings and A+ Excellence w/DCES Principal and Parent](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/dcessusdspotlight-_cover_xre5ry_300x300.jpg)
Friday May 10, 2024
Mandarin DLI Offerings and A+ Excellence w/DCES Principal and Parent
Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
This episode delves into Desert Canyon's thriving and unique educational environment, where students benefit from an immersive bilingual education, spending half their day learning in English and the other half in Mandarin. We sit down with Kim Mills, the Principal of Desert Canyon Elementary School, and Amie Hegeman, a dedicated PTO member and parent, to discuss the remarkable achievements and innovative educational models that have set Desert Canyon apart. With its recent A+ School of Excellence honor and the unique 50/50 dual language model, Desert Canyon Elementary is a beacon of academic success and community engagement within the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) fostering an inclusive and supportive atmosphere that encourages excellence for all students.
![Appreciating Teachers & National Board Certification w/Susan Leonard](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/PodcastCoverArt-Ep5-SusanLeonard_rzawft_300x300.jpg)
Friday May 03, 2024
Appreciating Teachers & National Board Certification w/Susan Leonard
Friday May 03, 2024
Friday May 03, 2024
Across the nation, National Board reviews the practice of accomplished teachers to evaluate whether they represent the values and standards of excellence in education. In SUSD, we have nearly 70 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) across our 29 schools. On this episode of Spotlight, we sit down with NBCT Susan Leonard, an Ingleside Middle School educator and SUSD’S lead trainer for NBCT candidates. We dive into a fun conversation about education excellence and how teachers in 2024 can feel appreciated and recognized for their achievements.
![Student Advisory Board w/Saguaro Senior Nikihl Sethi](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog18066041/20240426-SUSDSpotlight-SAB-CoverArt_ea9czf_300x300.jpg)
Friday Apr 26, 2024
Student Advisory Board w/Saguaro Senior Nikihl Sethi
Friday Apr 26, 2024
Friday Apr 26, 2024
The SUSD's Student Advisory Board (SAB) is a group of high school students from each high school in SUSD that comes together to problem solve and help shape the overall student experience. Students meet monthly with SUSD District Leadership to collaborate and share current concerns and opportunities for improvement. In today’s episode of the "SUSD Spotlight" podcast, we’ll chat with student, Nikhil Sethi, to learn more about the Student Advisory Board and his own journey as an SUSD student. Hear about the work the SAB does, how it has been from a student perspective, future goals for the SAB, and how we all can play a part in making SUSD a district that serves everyone better.
![Image](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/6dnv0z/SpotlightPodcastLogo.jpg)
Pitch Us: Podcast Ideas Form
SUSD is full of stars and each week we will “Spotlight” those people and programs making a difference. Human interest stories, celebrating the successes of our incredible students and staff, highlighting thriving community partnerships, and showcasing the lasting impact of our alumni.
"Spotlight" aims to capture the essence of the SUSD, by sharing the stories that make our community unique. Whether you're a current or previous SUSD student, teacher, administrator, staff member, parent, community partner, or thought leader, pitch us your story idea!