Ms. Redmon is our new High School P.E. and Earth Science teacher. She attended the University of Nebraska, where she studied science and physical education. She moved here to the Grand Canyon a few years back. Redmon says the best part of teaching is when she feels successful--for example, when she exposes the class to a new game in P.E. or shows them they can do it, because some feel they aren't able to do it. She wants them to gain confidence in their science ability. Redmon will also be coaching both boys and girls basketball this year she says she looks forward to it and she has big plans for the team but it all depends on them, she also states that she is looking forward to meeting them and talking about their goals this season.

Thomas Washington is one of many new teachers we have this year. He began taking carpentry classes and was later told he was meant to be a teacher because he was good at teaching and not construction. He then went to college and began to carve his path into becoming a teacher. Mr. Washington is from California. He moved to Gilbert, Arizona in 1993 when he was in middle school. He went to college in Arizona and then started his teaching career here in Arizona. He came to Grand Canyon School in August 2019. He's really impressed with the students and their willingness to respond to the teachers. He's also impressed with the administration. Mr. Washington says the best part of his job is when he gets to see a student’s “aha moment”--seeing them get inspired and excited, seeing them come alive and work on projects. Mr. Washington is also in charge of Middle School Student Council. He says he’s “interested in empowering the students” because he sees them as being in charge and running it while he's there to help guide them. We’re happy to have him and to see what he’ll bring to the table!

Leona Begishie is Grand Canyon School’s Native American Aide and the assistant coach for high school volleyball. She is Salt Clan born for the Rock Gap people, her maternal grandfathers are Zuni Egdewater, and her paternal grandfathers are Bitterwater people. She began working here ten years ago for a year then she moved to different schools to volunteer before returning last year to the Grand Canyon to work with kindergarten through 9th grade. She was inspired to help kids because she has always been drawn to schools. The best part about her job is when she gets to hear a child say, “Oh, I got it,” or “I understand,” because it makes her feel joyful. She enjoys working here.

Sage Boerke, who’s from northern Washington, teaches high school science. He moved to Grand Canyon because his wife got a job opportunity. Mr. Boerke has taught for 21 years. He got his degree at Cornell University. Mr. Boerke started teaching as a special education classroom assistant. He has also worked with kids as a one-on-one tutor and as a park ranger for outdoor education. Mr. Boerke coached girls soccer and cross country. Mr. Boerke didn’t think he would become a teacher until he realized that he liked working with teens after he started working for outdoor education. His secret superpower is that he sings and plays the guitar. Welcome, Mr. Boerke!

Robert “Boaz’’ Currey-El is a middle and high school band teacher as well as band director from Cleveland, Ohio. He got his degree at Virginia State University and started as a private music teacher before becoming a school teacher. Mr. Currey-El’s reason for becoming a teacher was because he likes to create his own curriculum. Mr. Currey-El’s favorite instrument is the saxophone. He started music when he was five and grew up surrounded by music because his mother was a singer and his father was a jazz musician. Mr. Currey-El came to Arizona because he felt like he was called here, even though he knew nothing about Arizona. A veterans program helped him find a job at Yavapai Lodge as a chef. He didn’t even know there was a school at the Canyon until Chef Justin told Mr. Currey-El about the job opportunity at the school. Welcome!