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

Student Performances
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

Event Host Welcome

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 SchoolsPlay 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?

Share your voice,
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influence

Join Our Village

Doing this alone is impossible; it takes all of us working together to make a difference.

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Latest Podcast

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!

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