The AZ Rural Leader Official Publication of the Arizona Rural Schools Association SOG OG in this issue... SUMMER 2021 Page 1 • From the Executive Director Page 3 • What Matters? by Sean Rickert, Superintendent Pima USD, ARSA Executive Board Page 7 • Apache County Superintendent by Joy Whiting, Superintendent Apache County School Page 10 • Summer Conference Keynote Speakers Page 11 • ARSA Executive Board Members Page 15 • ARSA Special Guest Page 16 • 2021 ARSA Teacher of the Year Nominees Page 20 • 2021 ARSA Conference Breakout Sessions Page 20 • 2021 ARSA Page25 • No Going Back From Hybrid and Remote Learning by Benjamin Herold Page 31 • 2021 ARSA Hall of Fame Inductee Page 33 • 2021 ARSA Conference Schedule Be safe out there, and, as always, please call me if I can help you with anything. Wes Brownfield “Stronger Together!” Message from the Executive Director I hope you managed to take some time for yourselves this summer; heaven knows you deserved it. As I reflect on what I’ve witnessed over the last months, I’m left almost speechless. I’ve seen a deadly pandemic, raging forest fires, and flooding on an unimaginable scale. And all this with some of the ugliest political discord imaginable, as a backdrop. This certainly reinforces the notion that any lack of clear, informed political leadership will create the perfect opportunity for misinformation and ideology. As educators, we all live and work with uncertainty, but what you are experiencing now goes beyond the situational uncertainties with which we all contend. We are all accustomed now to legislative driven educational policy. I hope to see you all at the ARSA Conference, September 16 – 18, at Little America in Flagstaff. The conference offers everyone the opportunity to re-connect with colleagues and our Friends, Our Sponsors, who offer the goods, services, and sometimes just expert advice to help everyone in the coming school year.
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