The making of an educator: Ms. Serna’s story
Ms. Serna’s journey into education began with a love of learning and a desire to inspire others.
“In high school, I got A’s,” she said. “I was involved in every club like student government, was cheer captain and very involved in school. That’s why I was drawn to education, because I had a very good educational experience and I want other students to experience that.”
Ms. Serna’s dad is from Eloy and her mom is from Casa Grande. Ms. Serna, originally from Phoenix, moved to Eloy when her family relocated. After high school, she attended Central Arizona College on a scholarship. She then earned her undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University, followed by a master’s in elementary education with a reading specialist certification, equipping her to effectively teach and support students with learning difficulties.
In her early teaching career working in elementary schools, Ms. Serna honed her skills in classroom management and curriculum development. After having children, she transitioned to night school, teaching reading to high school students for six years. Once her eldest started school, she moved to daytime high school teaching, covering both reading and English, until finding an opportunity in Casa Grande.
“All of our family is in the Casa Grande area, so I wanted to be close to my family,” she said. “I left for a little bit but I always find my way back home.”
Ms. Serna, middle school teacher at ASU Prep Casa Grande
When a colleague mentioned ASU Preparatory Academy’s new Casa Grande campus, Ms. Serna was intrigued. She researched the school’s affiliation with ASU and learned about its other campuses. Recalling a friend whose daughter graduated from an ASU Prep campus, she thought, “This sounds like a good opportunity!”
Ms. Serna joined ASU Prep Casa Grande as a founding staff member in 2016. Initially serving as a campus mentor, she later embraced a hybrid teaching and leadership role that supported hybrid learning across the network. Despite her impactful contributions, she felt a strong pull back to the classroom, where her passion truly lies. Now in her ninth year, Ms. Serna is dedicated to teaching middle school full-time, where she continues to nurture her connection with the diverse student body.
A day in the life at ASU Prep Casa Grande
Ms. Serna’s dedication to her students is evident in her willingness to serve as an advisor for extracurricular activities. This year she is helping advise Student Government, National Junior Honor Society and yearbook.
“We can always count on Mrs. Serna to help with school events like dances, movie nights and field days,” said Rylan Flores, an 11th-grade student at ASU Prep Casa Grande. “She always helps us get the job done.”
Ms. Serna thrives on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where students can explore their passions and take risks. “I love all the fun things our school provides,” she shares.
“Last year we competed at ASU Prep’s network science fair, so I had all of my junior high students participate.They’re not going to remember learning a science topic but they’ll remember collaborating on a science fair project. It helps them build the tools they’re going to need for college and career like collaboration, communication and problem-solving.”
Ms. Serna, middle school teacher at ASU Prep Casa Grande
Highlights from Ms. Serna’s daily routine:
- Personalized learning:
Ms. Serna works closely with students to develop individualized learning plans, enabling students to progress at their own pace and explore their interests.
- Collaborative projects:
At ASU Prep Casa Grande, students engage in group projects to build communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills, with Ms. Serna providing guidance and feedback for their success.
- Extracurricular activities:
Ms. Serna passionately encourages students to enrich their education by participating in sports, clubs and community service.
- Building relationships:
Ms. Serna believes that strong relationships are essential for student success. She strives to build rapport with her students to create a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment. This helps students feel comfortable seeking help, even if they’re not one of her current students.
Thriving together: The benefits of ASU Preparatory Academy
In addition to her role as a teacher, Ms. Serna also enjoys collaborating with other faculty members and sharing best practices. The small school environment at ASU Prep Casa Grande allows for a close-knit community, making it a top-rated choice for families seeking personalized and high-quality education.
“I love that we’re a small school with a small staff,” she said. “We’re really close and we support each other. We share lesson ideas. Even if the students are not my students, since it’s a small building, we all know each other and say hi in the halls. It feels good here. It feels good to have some flexibility in how we get creative, we don’t have to be traditional, we can blend our learning.”
Ms. Serna, middle school teacher at ASU Prep Casa Grande
ASU Prep Casa Grande offers a unique and supportive learning environment that prepares students for success in college and beyond. The school’s small class sizes, rigorous curriculum and emphasis on 21st-century skills provide students with the tools they need to thrive. Ms. Serna appreciates the opportunities for professional growth and the supportive atmosphere that exists among the faculty and staff.
“I feel like there’s a lot of room for growth,” she said. “I just feel like it’s a supportive place. I feel like my input is taken and the network does a really good job of seeking input. There are edcamps where teachers get to shine and that doesn’t happen at schools I previously worked for. Our network does a good job of celebrating teacher successes, like Teacher of the Year awards—there’s a lot of recognition. I’ve been here for nine years and I’m not going anywhere.” The Casa Grande community recently honored Ms. Serna by voting her “Best Teacher” in the Greatest of the Grande contest.
Beyond the books: outside the classroom
Ms. Serna’s students may receive her undivided attention but she also takes time for her family. She has two teenage sons and is always there to cheer them on when they play baseball or pursue their own passions. She loves spending time with her family who fortunately live within about a 20-mile radius of the Casa Grande area. She’s a huge fan of the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Diamondbacks and she loves taking dance classes like tap, jazz and Bollywood.
Empowering futures
Ms. Serna is a dedicated educator who has made a lasting impact on the students at ASU Prep Casa Grande. Her impressive 26-year career showcases a passion for teaching, commitment to student success and belief in the power of education. She has inspired countless young minds to reach their full potential.
If you’re looking for a college preparatory school that offers a personalized and supportive learning environment with classrooms led by outstanding teachers like Ms. Serna, then ASU Prep Casa Grande is the best place for you.
With a focus on college readiness and a strong student-teacher ratio, ASU Prep Casa Grande is committed to high graduation rates and excellent test scores, making it a top choice for families seeking quality education. ASU Prep Casa Grande, a tuition-free public charter school, uniquely offers the opportunity for students in Pinal County to earn college credit through Arizona State University while still in high school. Notably, Arizona State University, ranked #1 in innovation for 10 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report, underscores the innovative educational opportunities available to our diverse community of local and international students.
About ASU Preparatory Academy
ASU Preparatory Academy is an innovative, tuition-free public charter school network, serving students from Pre-K to grade 12. We offer a variety of models, ranging from fully immersive in-person learning to full-time digital programs. We also partner with other innovative schools to serve students across the US and around the world.
For questions about enrollment, attend an upcoming information session to learn more about how ASU Prep Casa Grande, or another school within our ASU Prep network, can be the right fit for your student’s future.
Written by: Stefanie Contreras
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