“I am congratulating the Tanque Verde Unified School District on its 140th anniversary. It has provided great public education to its community since 1886.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 140th anniversary of Tanque Verde Unified School District. Since 1886, the district has been providing public education in the Tanque Verde Valley. The first Tanque Verde school opening its doors all those years ago began a legacy of service and education that has impacted generations of valley residents. Through the work of dedicated staff and the commitment of students and their families, Tanque Verde schools have served as an example of excellent public education. The district will celebrate this historic milestone on September 23, bringing together members of the Tanque Verde community, both past and present, as a picture of the community’s rich and unique history and honor the people who have made the district’s success possible. To superintendent Dr. Scott Hagerman, teachers and staff, and students and families, congratulations on an incredible 140 years. Through their work and dedication, Tanque Verde Valley is home to outstanding public education. Congratulations again, and here is to many, many more wonderful academic years ahead and lives impacted of our future generations through the power of public education. Honoring Lisa Scott Being Named 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year”

“I want to honor Lisa Scott for being named Arizona Teacher of the Year. She returned to teaching middle school science after a severe illness resulted in the amputation of her hands and feet.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate Lisa Scott from the Vail School District earning the title of 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Scott, who is an eighth grade science teacher at Esmond Station K-8, has earned the highest honor among educators in being named the 2027 Arizona Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Educational Foundation. This esteemed award celebrates and honors educators who represent the very best of their profession by both inspiring their students and also strengthening the local community. Not only has Mrs. Scott been an amazing educator, she has done so while also navigating significant life changes that resulted from a near-death experience in December of 2022. The discovery of a kidney stone led to Mrs. Scott experiencing a loss of consciousness, septic shock, and treatment with a medication that restricted her limbs’ blood vessels to the point of needing to amputate both her hands and feet. Committed to continuing to do what she loves, even after a life- altering event, Mrs. Scott returned to the classroom in July of 2024, where she has proven that anything is possible when you refuse to be defined by circumstances. Being a great example to all the students that she serves and teaches, her colleagues, her administrators, but also our entire community of what grit and dedication and passion for a career like education can do for someone. Congratulations to Mrs. Scott, Lisa, on this incredible achievement. I thank her for the impact she has made on her students and our entire community.”