Challenge Coin

Challenge Coin Recognition Program

The magnificent people working every day District-wide to deliver services to students make belonging to the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) workforce a familial experience. Having the opportunity to engage with our students and their families energizes us and provides a bounty of rewarding experiences. Our talented and professional workforce of approximately 3,000 people is devoted to delivering a consistently outstanding educational experience for every single SUSD student.

Monthly Celebrations

There is no doubt that outstanding achievements happen each day across SUSD. To publicly recognize these achievements, the Superintendent brings forward the most notable stories at the monthly Governing Board Regular meetings, during a portion of the agenda dubbed “Celebrations.” Any Principal may nominate students and employees from their campus to be considered for a Celebration. In addition to being lauded before the Governing Board, Celebration honorees are presented with a signed certificate from the Superintendent and a very special token of appreciation: an Excellence Recognition Coin.

Recognizing Excellence

This tradition began in 2019 as a special way for the Superintendent to offer appreciation to students and staff for exemplary contributions and achievements. The coin is intended to recognize students and staff who live our core values and going above and beyond expectations – striving for and achieving excellence.

American Tradition

Offering recognition through challenge coins is an America tradition. The first coins can be traced back to World War II where officers presented coins to soldiers to reward remarkable actions. It is said that these coins were used to authenticate the identity of U.S. servicemen from enemy imposters. Since then, coins have evolved to become prestigious tokens of recognition that are collected, carried and displayed with pride. We feel our SUSD recognition coins build morale and serve as a lasting, tangible reminder of recognition while conveying a sense of belonging to our supportive, appreciative and proud community. The coin design is done right here in the SUSD Office of Communications & Marketing.

FAQs

Who is eligible to receive a Scottsdale Unified School District Excellence Recognition Coin?

What is the significance of the coin?

In keeping with the American tradition of United States military officers bestowing specifically designed coins to service members who perform exemplary acts, the Scottsdale Unified School District designed its own coin and accompanying recognition program. It is said that the owners of each coin are the ones who most understand and appreciate their meaning, for they are the ones who have put forth the effort to achieve it. Individually and collectively, the owners of these coins remind us that achievement and excellence can come in all forms, from all types of people and in all actions that uphold SUSD’s core values.

Why was the Scottsdale Unified School District Excellence Recognition Coin program created?

The Governing Board meetings provide a portion of the agenda for Celebrations to laud the District’s most notable achievements. While this is a terrific forum for publicly recognizing achievement, it is limited to ensure that the meeting remains efficient. Knowing that there are so many terrific achievements happening that don’t make it to the Governing Board meeting agenda, the excellence coin recognition program was developed to provide a memorable experience for staff and students. The coins are intended to recognize students, staff, Alumni and select community members who are living the District’s core values, and striving for and achieving excellence.

When are these coins presented?

Coins may be presented at events, in meetings, through the Governing Board celebrations and as occasions arise, the Superintendent and/or his or her designee will be personally presenting these specially-designed, handcrafted coins as a way to provide a tangible representation of the District’s appreciation for exemplary, above-and-beyond contributions and achievements.

2024-2025 – SUSD Challenge Coin

The 2024-25 Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) challenge coin embodies this year’s theme, “Elevate Excellence.” It serves as a powerful symbol of recognition for individuals who consistently go above and beyond, embracing each day as a new opportunity to inspire growth and achievement.

On the front, the coin proudly states the words “Elevate Excellence” and the year, reflecting the district’s ongoing commitment to raising the bar for education and student success. It is then surrounded by the district’s values, Excellence, Integrity, Empathy, Trust, Inclusion and Unity. The back of the coin displays the SUSD sun shining brightly. Surrounded by district name and our five learning communities.

This challenge coin is awarded to those who exemplify the highest standards of service and leadership, continually striving to elevate the educational experience for every student in SUSD.

2023-2024 – SUSD Challenge Coin

The 2023-24 Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) challenge coin is a special token of recognition presented to those whose actions exemplify our why, “Because Kids”. The coin features a bold, vibrant design that celebrates the district’s commitment to kids.

On the front, the district name is centered with the district's motto, “Because Kids,” engraved around it are the district’s values. The back of the coin shows a gold star signifying an award for excellence. Around the star you will find the names of each of our five learning communities.

This coin is given to those who demonstrate exceptional service, innovation, and passion in their roles, always putting students first and contributing to an inspiring educational environment.

2022-2023 – SUSD Challenge Coin

2020-2021 – SUSD Challenge Coin

The front of the 2020-2021 coin features an eye-catching, colorful expression of love for our home state of Arizona, as SUSD celebrates its 125th year as a school district (SUSD, formed in 1896, is actually 16 years older than the state of Arizona, which joined the Union on February 14, 1912!).

The coin proclaims that it is “Awarded for Excellence,” resulting in great pride of bearers’ achievements.

The bold, raised, five-point star symbolizes the unity of SUSD’s five learning communities, combining into one mighty, shining star. The star is designed to leave an impression, both in the visual sense with its stunning gold luster as well as with the person who receives the coin. Both sides feature a braided cord, symbolizing the conjoining of the state and the district, as well as our learning communities, into one “Proud SUSD Family.” This year, we focus the back of the coin on the achievements and core activities that bring us together as a large, diverse, unified family – Academics, Arts and Athletics.

2019-2020 – SUSD Challenge Coin

The front of the 2019-2020 coin, the very first Challenge Coin for Scottsdale Unified, features five stars, representing the five learning communities. The learning communities are protected by laurels – a traditional symbol of victory – a concept representing our Unified District. The other side of the coin features a compass that points to our core values, with Student-Focused being our true north. Inside the bezel of the compass are the behaviors that guide our actions in pursuit of our mission. The heft of the coin is meant to feel substantial and solid in the hand.

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