Focus on TUSD - November 2007

Awards and Recognition
Blenman teacher named Rodel Finalist
Blenman Elementary School kindergarten teacher Erika Marrufo has been named a Rodel Exemplary Teacher Finalist. The field of nine Pima County finalists will be narrowed to five teachers, who will each receive $10,000 in savings bonds. Runners-up will receive a check for $1,000.

Marrufo, 34, has taught at Blenman for five years. Before that, she taught first grade at Roberts Elementary School for two years. She started her 11-year teaching career at Francisco Vasquez de Coronado Elementary School, where she taught first grade for four years.

Marrufo said she was surprised and excited to be recognized with this honor. "I love teaching kindergarten," she said. Every child learns at their own pace, so it's rewarding to be a teacher."

Nunes, Malis and Lettes finalists for high school faculty awards program
Three TUSD teachers are among the nine finalists for the Arizona Athletics/Circle K Outstanding High School Faculty Awards Program for the 2007-2008 school year:

• Mary Nunes, who teaches special education/functional academics at Howenstine High Magnet School;
• A.J. Malis, who teaches chemistry/AP chemistry at Palo Verde High Magnet School; and,
• Andrew Lettes, who teaches biology and biotechnology at Pueblo Magnet High School.

Nunes has been a teacher in Exceptional Education for 30 years, 11 at Howenstine. In his nomination letter, Howenstine Principal Jimmy Hart said as coach and sponsor of the school's Special Olympics team, Nunes' "dedication and support of each athlete impacts their self-esteem and desire to work hard."

Malis has been teaching at Palo Verde since 2002. He has a "passion for student achievement and is an exemplary teacher. His lessons demonstrate skillful teaching that captures the learner and keeps them engaged through multimedia presentations and interactive labs. Every student is on task and experiencing rich instruction while in his class!" wrote Palo Verde Principal Tina Isaac of Malis.

Lettes, who has taught at Pueblo since 1994, recently received the 2007 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Arizona from the National Association of Biology. "He currently sponsors the Pueblo Biotechnology Club, participates in the BIOTECH Project, the University of Arizona College of Science Teacher Preparation Program, and the CATTS Program. He has organized a Journal Club for our science faculty and has been a Science Fair judge for the last 6 years. In the past he has done Cow Eye Dissections at Collier, Hollinger, and Mission View Elementary Schools, helping to light the fire of science in our feeder schools," wrote Pueblo Principal Patricia Dienz in her nomination letter.

The Outstanding High School Faculty winner will be named at a recognition dinner on Friday, Feb. 29.

Bands earn superior ratings at annual Band Day competition
The Rincon/University High School and Sahuaro High School bands earned superior ratings in the Arizona Band Day competition, held at Arizona Stadium on Nov. 17.

"We're proud of our band," said Sahuaro Principal Sam Giangardella during a telephone conversation, adding that staff and students put in a lot of hours to prepare for the competition.

Carla Pothier, president of the Rincon/University Marching Band Association, told the Tucson Citizen that this is the first time the band has earned a superior rating since University High School moved to the Rincon High School campus -- "about 20 years ago."

In related news, more than 110 Rincon/University band members will travel to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall on April 20, 2008. Brian Wolfe, director of bands for Rincon and University high schools, said the cost of the trip is $1,800 per band member. Fund-raising for the trip continues. To donate funds for the trip or for more information, call Wolfe at 232-5600.

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

Photos in the November issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations, unless otherwise noted.

The deadline to submit material for the December Focus is Friday, Nov. 7. The Focus will be published Monday, Nov. 17. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the online Tip Sheet.