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.
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News & Events

Champions of Education Awards 2025
The School Connect Champions of Education Awards event honors those who lead with heart and help us to build a brighter future for Arizona youth. Every year School Connect presents awards in 15 categories, including individuals ranging from kindergarten all the way to CEO! Join us to honor their legacy!
The countdown is on! Our annual School Connect Bowling Tournament is next month, August 20th, and we`d love to see you there!
Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or just want to join us for the laughs and good company (+ food and prizes!), this is a great way to make a real difference for Arizona’s students while having some fun.
RSVP by August 1 to reserve your spot!
👉 SchoolConnectAZ.org/Bowling
Special thank you to our sponsors: @core1937, @vitalantaz, @chasse.us, @mccarthybuild, 1GPA, Tempe Mechanical, Global Roofing Group, @sunlandasphalt, and Danson Construction LLC
#Education #Arizona

When it comes to helping students thrive, the most important question isn’t always “How can I do this?”
Instead, try asking...
“Who can help me make it happen?”
Your dreams deserve partners who are on your side!
Ready to find your "who"?!
In partnership with the Arizona Business & Education Coalition, Grand Canyon University, Victory Schools, and the Fiesta Sports Foundation, we invite you to join us September 10th for the Classroom to Career Workshop!
Learn more and get tickets at https://schoolconnectaz.org/classroom-to-career/
#ClassroomtoCareer #STEM #Arizona #Education #WorkplaceDevelopment

Happy Independence Day from School Connect—where we believe every act of empowering schools creates a brighter future for our kids!
Thank you for being part of our village!
#4thofJuly

Want to make a difference? You might be just one connection away...
Just ask these 21 incredible girls! When Brooke Mandelbaum, a high schooler with a big heart, dreamed of giving back and helping girls feel beautiful, all she needed was a pathway.
That’s where School Connect came in—connecting Brooke with counselor Adriana Toles at Alhambra High School.
Together, they made prom dreams come true for 21 young women from Alhambra and Cesar Chavez High Schools who had a chance to pick out their own dresses, received perfume and tickets, and created memories they’ll never forget.
This is the power of connection—reminding every student that they matter, inside and out.
Here’s to sparking more joy, one connection at a time!
#SchoolConnect #PromDreams #PowerOfConnection #EveryChildMatters

You`re invited to join us at the Classroom to Career Workshop on September 10th!
As Dr. Carol Lippert shared, during this interactive event, educators and industry leaders will come together to connect, explore ways to enhance learning, and develop effective workplace pipelines.
Will we see you there?!
👉 Grab your spot here: https://schoolconnectaz.org/classroom-to-career
Thank you to our partners: Grand Canyon University, Arizona Business & Education Coalition, Victory Schools AZ, and Fiesta Sports Foundation for making this event possible!
#ClassroomtoCareer #STEM #Arizona #Education
