ASU Preparatory Academy South Phoenix Art Inspires Students

« Back  |  November 14, 2022 - ASU Prep Digital

ASU Preparatory Academy South Phoenix students returned from fall break to find some unexpected inspiration on campus—new artistic murals of diverse and notable figures. The murals include Maya Angelou, Dolores Huerta, Frida Kahlo, Nelson Mandela, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Principal Patrick Gibbs said they installed the beautiful art celebrating different cultures because, “we really wanted to build something positive, uplifting, and something the students can relate to.”

The 220 students at the South Phoenix high school campus come from various backgrounds as well. The murals and messages provide a way to express the beauty and uniqueness of their culture.  

Mahkaylah Hopkins, student body president, said: “I honestly think that the murals are going to do a great job with promoting diversity and letting people know it’s okay to be different, no matter who you are, your background, or where you come from.”

Watch Fox 10 News Report LINK

Forbes names ASU as top employer in Arizona

« Back  |  September 2, 2022 - ASU Prep Digital

Article written by Krista Hinz. Originally published on ASU News 

August 25, 2022

Arizona State University has been named one of America’s Best Employers By State for 2022 by Forbes.

In partnership with Statista, a global provider of rankings and large-scale polling, Forbes surveyed 70,000 U.S. employees across 25 industry sectors and considered employee experiences such as working conditions, salary, potential for growth and diversity.

Audrey Dumouchel-Jones, ASU’s interim vice president and chief human resources officer, said the award showcases ASU’s reputation as a company that provides excellent employment opportunities at the local and national level.

“Our employees drive ASU’s standard of excellence. This award reflects our talented workforce supporting our ASU Charter and striving to build an inclusive and supportive culture for our students and community,” she said. “We are proud to offer all Arizonans exciting development opportunities and a chance to grow their careers.”

In addition to the career advancement opportunities at ASU, other benefits include 12 weeks of paid parental leave (expanded from six in July 2019), adoption and fertility subsidies, paid time off for volunteer service and an emergency child and elder care program.

Of the thousands of companies eligible for this recognition, only a select few are awarded in each state. The award may also reflect Arizona’s rapid growth in the last several years. According to 2020 census data, Phoenix grew in population at a rate of 11.2% (1.45 million people in 2010 to about 1.6 million in 2020), while Arizona has five of the 15 fastest-growing cities in the U.S., including Queen Creek, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Maricopa and Goodyear.

Forbes and Statista collected direct recommendations from employees as well as indirect recommendations from workers in the industry. Since the employee experience can vary greatly depending on an organization’s size and the individual worker, the rankings look at large and midsize employers. Beginning in 2015 with America’s Best Employers, Forbes and Statista have since expanded the coverage to include those employers considered best for diversity, women and new graduates. 

Welcome Ryan Garza

« Back  |  August 31, 2022 - Poly STEM Elementary

Assistant Principal, ASU Prep Polytechnic 7-12

ASU Preparatory Academy is pleased to welcome Ryan Garza to the team. Garza is a passionate education advocate who has taught in the classroom as well as held associate principal roles. Having been in the education field for more than five years, he has strong skills in communication, technology, and organization.

His persevering work ethic and diligence earned him a distinguished nomination to the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Garza received his master’s degree from North Central University. He is currently working toward a Doctor of Education in curriculum and teaching.

Assistant Principal Ryan Garza can be reached at: ragarza4@asu.edu. 

Welcome Stephen Rothkopf

« Back  |  August 31, 2022 - ASU Prep Digital

Principal, ASU Prep Polytechnic 7-12

ASU Preparatory Academy is pleased to welcome Stephen Rothkopf to the team. With more than 20 years of international leadership and teaching expertise, Rothkopf has held a variety of executive positions including principal, deputy principal, and director of curriculum.

Rothkopf believes that a principal’s vision and focus must be on empowering student learning. He seeks to lead by example and demonstrates commitment, creativity, and confidence in implementing strategic goals. His innate ability to connect with others inspires students and teachers alike.

Rothkopf holds two M.Ed. degrees: Educational Leadership from Arizona State University, and Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University.  

Principal Stephen Rothkopf can be reached at: srothkopf@asu.edu. 

Supporting Struggling Readers Through the Science of Reading

« Back  |  August 24, 2022 - ASU Prep Digital

Reading is one of the most fundamental ingredients to life. It provides a window to the world and opens doors. Reading gets your mind working across different areas—stimulates imagination, recounts memories, and uses analytical abilities. Frederick Douglass said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

Yet there are many people who struggle to become proficient readers.  

Literacy Facts 

One in five U.S. adults (21 percent) are illiterate. This translates into 43 million U.S. adults who possess low literacy skills, meaning they do not possess the skills necessary to complete tasks that require comparing and contrasting, paraphrasing, or making low-level inferences.    

In 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, 34 percent of 4th-grade students read below the Average National Assessment of Educational Progress basic reading level.

Have you ever wondered why some children have difficulty learning to read and question why they struggle?  

The Science Behind Reading 

The term “science of reading” refers to the research cognitive scientists and reading experts have conducted for more than 20 years on how we learn to read. This new understanding has helped debunk older methods of reading instruction that were based on tradition and observation, not evidence.

Developed by Arizona Virtual Teacher Institute, the “Science of Reading: Supporting Struggling Readers” is a series that teaches participants how the brain learns to read and what instructional steps are needed to build a “reading” brain.

“One question we get over and over again is, what do I do with students who are reading five levels below the grade level I’m teaching at?” said Heide Morton, Lead Training Specialist at ASU Prep Digital. “Reading is embedded in all aspects of content—whether teaching math or science—we’re all reading teachers.”

In this teacher training series, participants will first be immersed in how the brain works and how it learns to read. There are seven Science of Reading principles, and the first principle is: Reading is not natural; it must be taught. Scarborough’s Reading Rope, which includes word recognition and language comprehension, will also be covered. This professional development session is free for Arizona teachers.

Morton, an educator for 17 years, said this series is especially beneficial for 3rd-8th grade educators, but can be for higher grades as well. “This age in particular is where we see a noticeable gap between proficient and struggling readers.”

Participants will discover why some children have difficulties learning to read and the training then moves into diagnostics and assessments. The last portion of the series is resources and proven strategies to help struggling readers before, during and after reading.

“Science-based reading instruction reduces the need for intervention and allows children to move forward as capable and confident learners,” said Morton. “We have a shared responsibility to help students build their reading skills. It’s all hands on deck. We need to work together.”


Resources

National Center for Education Statistics
Adult Literacy in the United States

If you’re interested in bringing ASU Prep Digital Science of Reading: Supporting Struggling Readers teacher training to your school or district, please visit asuprepdigital.org/training.   

Celebrating A Student’s Success

« Back  |  August 24, 2022 - ASU Prep Digital

Many of our students love ASU and we are honored when they allow us to be part of their educational journey for numerous years. We recently received a letter from a proud parent whose daughter just graduated from ASU Prep with honors. What makes this story so unique is that she has been part of the ASU family for 17 years—and she’s not about to stop. Read more about student Brelyn Fidler.  

Letter From A Parent

“My name is Emily and I thought I would share a fun little story about an incoming Undergraduate that will be attending ASU this fall. Her name is Brelyn Fidler (yep, she’s my daughter) and believe it or not, she’s been going to ASU since 2005! I wanted to share because I’m curious if you come across many students that can say they have been going to ASU basically their whole life.

It all started back in 2005 when we enrolled Brelyn in the Arizona State University Child Study Lab, under the direction of Beth Wiley (who was absolutely amazing by the way). She loved this little school so much and the staff was amazing. As we were nearing the end of our time at the Child Study Lab, we learned about a new school opening up that was affiliated with ASU and not too far from home. It was the ASU Prep STEM Academy, though the name has changed a few times, the basic fundamentals and education these children receive has not. So, in 2009 Brelyn was enrolled.

Fast forward to 2022, Brelyn will be graduating ASU Prep STEM Academy High School, with honors of course. She has been accepted to Arizona State University on a Provost Scholarship, majoring in either Forensic Psychology or Biological Sciences. For 17 years of her life, she’s been in some type of ASU program and she’s not about to stop.

“I honestly can’t imagine our lives without this school
and all the programs she has been able to partake in.”

But wait, there’s more! Brelyn has also been part of the ASU Prep Color Guard team since 2010. For 12 years she’s been spinning under the direction of Amy Kochis. As I write this, she’s trying out for the ASU College Color Guard team, in hopes that she will make the team and continue her spinning during her college career. By 2026 she will have been enrolled in an ASU program for 21 years. Brelyn doesn’t plan to stop there, as she would like to go on to graduate school to earn her master’s and possibly even her doctorate. Maybe then she can say she’s attended ASU her whole life.

As a mom, I just had to share because I kind of can’t even believe it myself. I truly can’t thank ASU and all its affiliated programs enough for the education my daughter has received. I honestly can’t imagine our lives without this school and all the programs she has been able to partake in.

If you’re ever at a future ASU football game, my hope is that you’ll see her spinning on that field, where she has dreamt of being since about the age of 13. GO SUN DEVILS!”

Thank you,
Emily Fidler

Thank you, Ms. Fidler, for entrusting Brelyn’s entire educational journey with ASU—that is such a powerful testimony! We also appreciate you giving a special shoutout to Ms. Wiley and Ms. Kochis. It means a lot when a parent takes the time to share a student’s success with us. We celebrate you, and Brelyn, and look forward to hearing more of her journey and success as a Sun Devil!