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Anasazi Educator Named Arizona’s Top IB Elementary Teacher

Anasazi Educator Named Arizona’s Top IB Elementary Teacher

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Oct. 18, 2024) – Scottsdale Unified School District’s (SUSD) Anasazi Elementary School is not only the starting point for the district’s globally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme continuum: it is also home to the Arizona IB Association’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) 2024 Teacher of the Year, Angie Griffith.

Griffith, who teaches fifth grade at Anasazi, was nominated for the award by her teacher colleagues last spring. At an August staff meeting, she was surprised with news that she had been selected for the honor. She was officially recognized at the Arizona IB Schools’ quarterly meeting in September.

Principal Jennifer Waldron couldn’t be happier for her teacher to receive the exciting recognition. “Mrs. Griffith embodies the very essence of the IB PYP,” observed Waldron. “She consistently demonstrates an unwavering commitment to nurturing students’ young minds and every day fosters a love for learning that extends far beyond her classroom’s walls.”

For her part, Griffith embraces contributing to Anasazi’s outstanding teaching and learning environment. “I have a unique opportunity to provide my students with an authentic and enriching learning environment. I try to establish a framework designed to promote lifelong inquiry and develop globally minded citizens.”

In her classroom, the seamless integration of local and global contexts into IB’s units of study creates meaningful learning experiences for students. Griffith is in her ninth year of teaching at Anasazi.

SUSD’s Governing Board recently celebrated the exceptional educator, conferring a district Challenge Recognition coin to her.

“As we celebrate Mrs. Griffith’s achievements, we also celebrate the power of dedicated educators to shape the future,” concluded Principal Waldron. “Angie’s work reminds us of the profound impact that one passionate educator can have on countless young lives, Because Kids!”

Anasazi, located at 12121 N. 124th St., Scottsdale, officially became an IB World School in February 2023. It is one of just nine IB PYP schools in the state of Arizona. SUSD’s IB education curriculum continues at nearby Mountainside Middle School and Desert Mountain High School, which host IB’s Middle Years and Diploma programmes.

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 128 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, X: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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