BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
- Dr. Jennifer Johnson
- Dr. Carol Lippert
- Shelly Hornback
- Dr. Susie Cook
- Dr. Jen Cruz
- John Dowd
- Jerome Parker
- Dan Steffen
- Dr. Paul Tighe
“It is a privilege to serve and support schools through School Connect. Bringing all facets of the community together to help educators enrich the lives of children and open doors of opportunity is meaningful and important community-building. Please find a way to connect with us and join this effort.”
Dr. Jennifer Johnson, Retired Educator
“I serve on the School Connect Board because their core principles of service, community, faith, education, and collaboration mesh perfectly with my beliefs. I am privileged to support an organization that puts the needs of children at the front of every decision and action.”
Dr. Carol Lippert, Assistant Vice President for K-12 Outreach and Support,
Grand Canyon Education
“School Connect is crucial because strong schools and healthy communities are inextricably linked. By supporting School Connect, we teach educators how to nurture partnerships beyond their immediate school families and engage neighbors in a variety of opportunities to enhance their quality of life. Together, we are growing tomorrow’s workforce, developing a capable citizenry, and creating a stronger Arizona.“
Shelly Hornback, Owner, Hornback Communications
“It is the highest privilege to serve students and their communities. School Connect holds students at the heart of its work by facilitating business partners, parents, faith-based organizations, and educators to collaborate so that they can focus on the complex needs of students. We are all better because of School Connect.”
Dr. Susie Cook, Retired Superintendent,
Washington Elementary School District
Dr. Jen Cruz, Superintendent,
Pendergast Elementary School District
“The stories that unfold through School Connect show what’s possible when communities come together. I’ve witnessed firsthand how this model works, as it transforms the lives of the people we care deeply about – the next generation. My goal is to give our youth the best future we can, which is why it’s such an honor to be a part of this movement.”
John Dowd, Community Partnerships & Outreach,
CORE Construction
“I have served with School Connect for the past 9 years because I believe that there is no greater investment that exists than the investment that is made into people. School Connect has taken that truth regarding investment and exemplified it beyond measure, by empowering the “village” to invest into the lives of our young people with diligence, consistency and love. I honestly can’t think of a better mission to join my life to.”
Jerome Parker, Community Pastor,
First Christian Church (FCC)
“Nothing matters more to the future of our country than our next generation. I invest in School Connect because it is the strongest movement I have found that is strengthening our next generation.”
Dan Steffen, Senior Pastor,
Pure Heart Church
“It’s an honor to support the great work of School Connect as a board member. It takes a village to raise a child, and School Connect helps bring the village together to support and educate children. I encourage school, community and business leaders to unite to help every child in Arizona reach his/her potential. Working together, we can make a difference and help shape the future of our state.”
Dr. Paul Tighe, Executive Director,
Arizona School Administrators (ASA)
Principal for a Day
Love Our Schools Day
In the Classroom
Parent Connect
School Connect Summit
Love Our Schools Day
Become a Part of Love Our Schools Day 2026
Are you a local school with a project? Love Our Schools Day is a project-based volunteer day when the community can roll up their sleeves at a local school and make a difference where it is needed most whether it is planting a garden, painting a classroom, or fixing up a playground. Complete the interest form to get involved!
Classroom to Career Workshop
You’re invited to the Classroom to Career Workshop on September 9th!
Join education and industry leaders for an experience where partnerships form, ideas flow, businesses tap into future growth and students are connected from the classroom to cutting edge career pathways!
Join Our Village
Doing this alone is impossible; it takes all of us working together to make a difference.
When we, as adults, only tell kids what to do, their energy is often drained.
But when we give them a role to own and a purpose to aim for, they come alive.
Of course, there will always be parts of learning that feel like brushing teeth and cleaning up the mess — slow, not glamorous.
But when we create safe environments for students to own their learning, to get curious, and to connect what they’re learning to something that matters to them, we don`t just help them pass a test — we help them see themselves as future colleagues, creators, and community leaders.
That’s the heart behind our upcoming Classroom to Career Workshop on September 9th at Grand Canyon University.
In partnership with Grand Canyon University, CHASSE Building Team, and Advanced Technologies Consultants, we`re bringing educators and industry leaders together to connect, listen, and build relationships that make a difference for kids.
This workshop is designed for:
👉 Teachers and instructional coaches who want practical ways to build student agency into daily lessons while meeting standards.
👉 Principals and district leaders who are exploring how classroom practices can align with broader workforce and career‑readiness goals.
👉 Community and business leaders who want to better understand how to support schools in creating meaningful classroom‑to‑career pathways.
Will you join us?
When: September 9th - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Grand Canyon University
Who: Educators & Industry Leaders
RSVP: Reserve your spot at
schoolconnectaz.org/classroom-to-career/
AI will keep evolving. New tools will enter classrooms. But there`s one thing an algorithm will never do...
No algorithm will spend a Saturday pulling weeds, painting walls, or writing a teacher a handwritten note that says, “We see you. You`re not alone!”
Our kids’ sense of worth, belonging, and possibility is formed in those human moments—when people like you choose to show up in person.
🩷 Love Our Schools Day is one way we can do that together! 🩷
We’d love for you to consider how you or your organization might be part of this year’s village—by hosting a project, joining a volunteer day, or helping fund a grant.
👉 👀 Learn more: loveourschoolsday.com
How do you love a school?
Love Our Schools Day is one special way we can offer that encouragement and support. It’s a state‑wide, project‑based volunteer day where communities roll up their sleeves at local schools to make a tangible difference where it’s needed most — whether that’s planting a garden, painting a classroom, updating a lounge, or fixing up a playground.
And underneath the paint and landscaping, what we’re really saying to educators and students is....
✨ “We see you. We’re grateful. Let’s love this school, together." ✨
It doesn`t matter if you`ve never done anything like this before. Whether you`re an educator, represent a business, a faith community, a nonprofit, or just someone who loves your local school and wants to give back, there is a place for you!
👉 Learn more about how to get involved at LoveOurSchoolsDay.com
Last year`s School Connect Bowling Tournament was such a hit. We can`t wait for the next one on August 19th... and hope you can join us!
On the surface, it might just look like a game of bowling...
In reality, it’s a chance to let go of our roles and goals for the night and just enjoy each other`s company. It’s a time to let our minds reset with fun and relationships.
If you believe in School Connect’s mission of creating collaborative, caring villages around schools, we would be delighted to have you join us!
Bring your team, invite a partner, or come on your own and let us introduce you to new friends. Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or the one who uses the bumpers, there`s a place for you here!
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Check-In: 5:00 pm
Bowling & Raffle: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Lucky Strike North Scottsdale, 7000 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ
RSVP & Get Tickets: SchoolConnectAZ.org/Bowling
Sponsorship Deadline: August 1, 2026 (Reach out to Jerry Withers at jerry@schoolconnectaz.org to learn about sponsorship opportunities.)
Sufficient resources can solve many problems, but what do we do when those resources are unpredictable?
It often feels like the only thing we can control is what to cut and what to keep. What a daunting task when you want to offer the best for your students.
But what might happen if we were to take a step back and instead of asking, "How am I going to do this?" we asked...
"Who is in my corner?"
Sometimes the answer to our biggest challenge doesn`t require more money or a new program. Sometimes, it’s as simple as making the right connection — someone who brings a fresh perspective, new resources, and a willingness to collaborate.
Partnerships are a game-changer for schools and industry leaders. In fact...
Research shows that schools with strong, long-term partnerships with their communities see higher student achievement and experience lower teacher turnover.
School Connect exists to spark these connections, which in turn build partnerships.
We`ve seen it work firsthand.
When educators and industry leaders work together, learning becomes more relevant, and students are better prepared for real careers. And employers? They get a stronger, more skilled workforce (and the satisfaction of giving back to their community!). It`s a win-win-win!
In partnership with Grand Canyon University and CHASSE Building Team, we`re bringing educators and industry leaders together to connect, listen, and build relationships that make a difference for kids.
Will you join us?
When: September 9th - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Grand Canyon University
Who: Educators & Industry Leaders
RSVP: Reserve your spot (Link in bio)
