Could your next connection create a brighter future for children in Arizona?
Summit Agenda
Event Location
Footprint Center Arena
201 E Jefferson St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Event Date
February 10, 2025, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Check In 7:30 AM
Event Start 8:00 AM
Vendor Showcase
Enjoy connecting with our sponsors, exhibitors, local partners, and winning prizes!
Showcase Director: Ramiro Alvarez, Public Information Officer, Pendergast Elementary School District
Showcase Emcee: Dondi Rodriguez, Outreach Pastor, Pure Heart Church
Sponsored by Scottsdale Bible Church
Coronado High School Marching Band, Scottsdale Unified School District
Brett Bell, Band Director
Sunnyslope High School Pom Line, Glendale Union High School District
Alexandra Hamill, English Teacher, Spiritline & Pom Line Head Coach
Kristy Siefkin, Principal, Kristy Siefkin Communications; Professional Speaker, Executive Communication and Media Coach
The Story of School Connect
Tracey Beal, Founder & CEO, School Connect
Dr. Dan Steffen, Senior Pastor, Pure Heart Church
The Genius in our Communities
Wash Covena, Staff Vice President of Commercial Verticals and Strategy, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, our Presenting Sponsor
Unlocking Your Working Genius
Tracey Beal, Founder & CEO, School Connect
The Power of Collaboration
Featuring Valley Readers & Play It Forward, sponsored by The Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury Foundation
Participating Schools: Play It Forward
- Mountain View School, Washington Elementary School District
- Ignacio Conchos Elementary School, Roosevelt School District
- Villa de Paz Elementary and Copper King Elementary, Pendergast Elementary School District
- Madison Park Middle School, Madison Elementary School District
- Lowell Elementary School, Phoenix Elementary School District
Participating Schools: Valley Readers
- Alhambra Elementary School District, 13 Schools
- Laveen Elementary Schools District, 9 Schools
- Tempe Elementary School District, 10 Schools
Bridging the Gap Between Faith Communities & Schools
Dr. Dan Steffen, Senior Pastor, Pure Heart Church
Engaging The Champions in Your Neighborhood
Allie Wheeler, Superintendent, Beaver Creek School District
The Secret to Partnerships that Change Lives
Featuring GenTech & Apache Junction Unified School District
Unlock the Connections Between Education and Industry
Eric J. Rodriguez, Global Keynote Speaker, Technology Leader, Community Advocate
Rod Huston, Director of Community Education, Gilbert Public Schools
The Best Practices in Partnerships That Transform Schools, Featuring Our Superintendent Panel
Panel Facilitator: Dr. KC Somers, Superintendent, Peoria Unified School District
Superintendent Panelists:
2025 Arizona National Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Scott A. Menzel, Superintendent, Scottsdale Unified School District
2025 All Arizona Superintendent of the Year: Large District
Dr. Curtis Finch, Superintendent, Deer Valley Unified School District
2025 All Arizona Superintendent of the Year: Medium District
Dr. Barbara J. Remondini, Superintendent, Wickenburg Unified School District
2025 All Arizona Superintendent of the Year: Small District
Shanna Johnson, Superintendent, Mohawk Valley School District
The Future of Chinle
Quincy Natay, Superintendent, Chinle Unified School District
Student Performances
Sponsored by Right At School
Student Performance Soloist, Tierra Morris, 8th Grade Student, Chinle Unified School District
Keynote: Uniting Communities, Appreciating Difference & Building Resilience
Sponsored by GenTech
Chris Singleton, Inspirational Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur, Former Pro Athlete
Suite Table Conversations & Catered Lunch
Keynote Closing Remarks
Chris Singleton, Inspirational Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur, Former Pro Athlete
School Connect Champions of Education Awards Nominations Announcement
50/50 Raffle Prizes & Giveaways
Vendor Showcase Exhibitors
Closing Remarks
Kristy Siefkin, Principal, Kristy Siefkin Communications; Professional Speaker, Executive Communication and Media Coach
Event Close. 1:00 PM
Volunteer or Sponsor?
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Join Our Village
Doing this alone is impossible; it takes all of us working together to make a difference.
School Connect Summit 2025
Join the School Connect Summit 2025 to unlock your genius and discover how much your leadership matters to the future we create together. At this one-of-a-kind leadership summit, you will gather with representatives from business, education, faith, nonprofit, and government entities to connect, learn, and strategize for unified community action. Speakers, seating assignments, and conversation topics are designed to help leaders connect their efforts through the school system to maximize reach and influence for positive change.
News & Events
Nominate a Champion of Education
Join our statewide search for Arizona Champions of Education! Tell us about a student, teacher, principal, superintendent, school board member, or school champion who has inspired you with their ability to beat the odds, solve problems creatively, and help their communities thrive! Nominate them for a Champion of Education Award!
Announcing our School Connect Summit 2025 keynote speaker: Chris Singleton! 🌟
From former MLB player to inspiring author and advocate for unity...
Chris`s story of forgiveness after unimaginable tragedy will move you to see the difference you can make in your community.
Join us on 2/10/25 to learn how we can build bridges for AZ youth.
🎟️ Tickets on sale now! Use GENIUS20 during our limited-time holiday sale (ends 12/16 - Link in Bio!)
#SchoolConnectSummit #Education #Leadership #AZBlue #Arizona #Forgiveness #Unity
Guess what?! Every dollar you give on #GivingTuesday will be matched up to $20,000!
That means you double your impact to...
💛 reach more schools
🧡 empower more educators
❤ and impact more students
...so that every child feels supported, not just by their teacher, but by their entire community!
Will you join us? Link to give in bio!
#SchoolConnect #GivingTuesday
Imagine classrooms across Arizona where every student feels supported, not just by their teacher, but by their entire community. That`s what you help us do this GivingTuesday!
Better yet, today, you can double your impact!
Every dollar you give will be matched up to $20,000, allowing us to reach more schools, empower more educators, and impact more students.
Will you join us? Link to give in our bio!
#GivingTuesday #StudentSuccess #CommunityFirst #SchoolConnect
This Thanksgiving, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for every educator, partner, and champion who believes in the power of connecting schools and communities.
Your dedication has sparked incredible transformations across our communities: students planning Love Our Community Day, creating public art, building community benches, cleaning public spaces, participating in City Council meetings, and even stepping into leadership roles like serving as mayor for a day!
These young voices are reshaping their communities with creativity and passion.
Together, we`re not just supporting schools; we`re nurturing tomorrow`s leaders.
Thank you for being part of this journey! 🙏
#SchoolConnect #CommunityImpact #StudentLeadership #Gratitude #Thanksgiving
Our early bird special for School Connect Summit 2025 is about to migrate south for the winter. 🦃
Use code GENIUS20 to get $20 off before you slip into your Thanksgiving dinner coma!
👇👇👇
🎟 Ticket link in bio!
#SchoolConnectSummit #Education #Leadership #AZBlue #Arizona #EarlyBird #Thanksgiving #Turkey
