By Rob Chambers, ASA Theatre Team Leader Tamera Shanker and I sat on the patio of Forno 301 earlier this month, with her dog Javier accompanying, to talk about what it’s like now that Ethan, her youngest, is graduating from ASA. As an attorney, Tamera Shanker’s practice focuses on Children’s Advocacy, Adoption Law, Juvenile Law, and Civil and Administrative Appeals.
The Best Non-Mom Teacher You Could Have By Timotea Garcia-Mendez Kristin Mailhiot, the once oh-so-scary Vice Principal of Arizona School for the Arts, now resides as the still honest but strongly supportive pillar of the Senior teachers. Ms. Mailhiot also serves as a guiding light and knowledgeable resource to the high school seniors through Environmental Science and their Capstone projects.
Creating on the Spot By 12th Grader Robin McDonald “Ha, on the radio, I don’t actually listen to classical music, believe it or not,” Ms. Anthony says as she laughs with her vivid, brown eyes. Instead, “It’s mostly the very 90s rock and roll music I had growing up.” Monica Anthony, the charming and accomplished flute teacher at Arizona School
If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking Written By 12th Grader Alyssa Gerkin I. Beginnings Dana Bender has sung in choirs for as long as she can remember, but she didn’t discover her passion for teaching until she was an undergraduate at Wichita State University. As she watched Donald Neuen coach a choir in a clinic, she “caught the
A Christmas Gift By 12th Grader Elaina Van Duyne Music is often said to be a universal language that connects the entire world, and Johnathan Robinson believes no different. Robinson began his musical journey when he was in sixth grade, after receiving his sister’s old trumpet, and played the instrument until he reached his freshman year of high school. He
Inspiring the Leaders of Tomorrow By Megan Teramoto – 12th Grade “I think the most important piece of advice I’d give any young people is be curious about the world, and examine things that you don’t know about, and get out of your comfort zone.” Andrea Kolich leans back slightly, arms comfortably placed on each armrest of her chair, as
A Revolutionary Teacher By Kellen Vu (12th Grade) Say the name “Profesor” to any student studying Spanish at Arizona School for the Arts (ASA), and you’re bound to get a laugh and a wild story in response. “Every single class, he would eat a banana. And at some point during the year, he switched to oranges, but it’s really just
Changing the Game By Claire Procter-Murphy The day is December 3rd, and the chilly air nips at any flashes of ankle that appear below pant cuffs. On the cusp of winter, the weather is a catalyst for change, and sets a poetic tone in which to meet fifth-grade history teacher Lisa Speck. “I was not a fan of social studies
By Margaret Shepherd, 12th Grade Dr. Wuenschel plays and teaches the viola, which reads in alto clef (right). Violas are usually overlooked in an orchestra by the violins and cellos, which read in treble (left) and bass (middle) clefs, respectively. Often, Allyson Wuenschel seems as youthful as the children she teaches at Arizona School for the Arts (ASA). She is
3QP is HERE! For our new families, third quarter presentation season, affectionately called 3QP, is upon us. This means that every single ASA student is working on the same outcome to be an active participant in the 3QP process and an effective communicator during the 3QP product (presentation). With our focus on growth mindset this year, it is more relevant