Washington Elementary School District

⭐️ 2026 LAMP OF LEARNING SPOTLIGHT ⭐️

Congratulations to Elisa Delgadillo, fourth grade teacher at Shaw Butte Elementary! 💜

With a strong belief in improving the quality of students’ lives, Elisa exemplifies excellence, leadership and steadfast commitment to academic success. Holding over two decades of experience in education, Elisa has inspired colleagues and students alike through her passion, expertise and collaborative spirit. A true instructional leader, Elisa mentors new and veteran teachers, openly sharing strategies, resources and best practices that elevate teaching across her campus. Her classroom is a model of purposeful instruction, where data-driven decisions, intentional differentiation and high expectations ensure every student thrives. Her impact is measurable as her students have demonstrated exceptional academic growth, reflecting her relentless pursuit of excellence. Outside of the classroom, Elisa goes above and beyond to strengthen her craft, engaging in advanced literacy training and collaborating with colleagues even outside contracted hours. She leads professional development, supports curriculum implementation and plays an integral role in initiatives such as Project Momentum, Site Council, family engagement events and student leadership programs. Elisa is also a fierce advocate for her students, building strong relationships with families and ensuring every child feels supported, challenged and valued. Her professionalism, compassion and belief in every learner’s potential leave a lasting impact. When asked what her proudest moment in the WESD was, Elisa said, “Learning that a former student of mine from a different school district is now teaching at a WESD campus.”

Fresh news for the ! 🍎🥕🎉

Sixteen WESD schools have been selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) for the 2026-2027 school year! The goals of the FFVP are to encourage healthier school environments by promoting nutrition education, increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children, and make a difference in children’s diets to positively impact their present and future health.

Congratulations to:
Acacia Elementary School,
Alta Vista Elementary,
Cactus Wren Elementary,
Chaparral Elementary School,
Desert View Elementary,
Lakeview Elementary School,
Manzanita Elementary School,
Moon Mountain Elementary,
Ocotillo Elementary School,
Richard E. Miller Elementary School,
Roadrunner Elementary,
Sahuaro Elementary School,
Shaw Butte Elementary,
Sunburst Elementary,
Sunnyslope School, and
Washington Elementary!

Thanks to the FFVP, the WESD Nutrition Services Department will be able to serve students at these schools with free fruits and vegetables throughout the school year - helping encourage healthy habits, nutrition education, and a love for fresh produce that supports lifelong wellness! Way to go!

⭐️ 2026 LAMP OF LEARNING SPOTLIGHT ⭐️

Congratulations to Molly Boyer, principal at Chaparral Elementary School! 💙

Leading her school with a “what is best for kids” mindset, Molly is a transformative administrator whose unwavering dedication to students, staff and community exemplifies the very highest standards of educational excellence. Since joining the WESD in 2012, she has cultivated a culture grounded in high expectations, innovation and continuous growth, ensuring that every student is supported to achieve success. Under her leadership, Chaparral has flourished – earning an “A” letter grade for the 2023-2024 school year and demonstrating measurable gains in both academic achievement and school climate. Molly’s commitment to data-driven instruction, professional learning communities and targeted staff development has empowered teachers to refine their craft and elevate student outcomes. Her presence is deeply felt across campus, where she builds meaningful relationships by engaging daily with students, families and staff. Beyond the classroom, Molly has strengthened community connections through inclusive events and initiatives that foster pride, belonging and engagement. Her thoughtful leadership extends Districtwide through her service on key committees and her advocacy for best practices in education. She is widely admired for her ability to lead with both heart and purpose, creating an environment where both students and educators feel valued and inspired. Respected for her integrity, vision and compassion, Molly is a shining example of what it means to lead with excellence, and is a true champion for students.

Today, we’re excited to launch our 2026 Lamp of Learning summer series, and we’re kicking things off with our Lifetime of Learning recipient Dr. Lyn Bailey, assistant superintendent of Administrative Services! 🌟

The Lifetime of Learning award is a recognition reserved for individuals whose careers have left a lasting impact on generations of students, staff and the District community. Dr. Bailey is the fourth recipient of this honor. Previous recipients include Leonard Sweeney, Lynn Thome and Dr. Susie Cook.

Dr. Bailey began her remarkable 50-year journey in the WESD as a special education teacher at Maryland School during the 1975-1976 school year. Since then, she has served in nearly every facet of the District, including teacher, program specialist, assistant principal, principal, regional coach and, for the past 20 years, assistant superintendent of Administrative Services.

Known for her compassionate leadership, collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to students, Dr. Bailey has helped shape the culture and success of the WESD for five decades. Her influence can be seen not only in the programs and systems she helped lead, but in the countless lives she has impacted along the way.

Congratulations to Dr. Bailey on this incredible and well-deserved honor! We greatly thank her for 50 years of service, leadership and dedication to the ! 💙❤️

We are proud to conclude our May 2026 Employee of the Month recognitions today by honoring Janemarie Wright, library media specialist at Mountain Sky Junior High! 🌟

Janemarie truly embodies the WESD vision, mission and values through her daily dedication to students and staff. Every day, she works tirelessly to ensure that students have the proper materials needed to participate in all academic and elective lessons. From managing Chromebook distribution to overseeing library checkouts, Janemarie makes sure students have equitable access to essential learning tools. She consistently cleans, manages and repairs student Chromebooks so that every learner has a reliable device for digital curriculum and assessments. In the library, Janemarie thoughtfully guides students toward books that match their reading levels, helping them grow as confident readers. Each month, she designs creative and engaging library displays using current books to spark student interest in reading. During Read Across America, Janemarie created a meaningful display featuring books from every state to encourage students to explore new stories. When eighth grade students studied biographies, she gathered and showcased them and introduced students to new figures they had not previously discovered. For AASA testing, Janemarie ensured all devices were updated and that every student had access to a working Chromebook. Her dedication during testing periods, including proctoring exams, assisting with student needs and managing breaks, ensures a smooth and supportive testing environment for all students. Additionally, through her work with student teacher assistants, Janemarie builds confidence by encouraging them to believe in their abilities. Janemarie’s colleagues describe her as supportive, kind and hardworking.

Congratulations to the WESD Cohort 5 BRIDGE teachers who were recently celebrated for completing the program! Program participants received training and coaching on areas such as lesson planning, classroom management, instructional delivery, professional responsibility and much more throughout their time in BRIDGE. By completing the program, these teachers have earned their institutional recommendation, which goes to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) towards receiving a teaching certificate!

We also want to give a big shout-out to the WESD Cohort 6 BRIDGE teachers who were recently honored for completing their first year of the two-year program! These teachers gained valuable knowledge and skills in the areas of lesson planning, classroom management and more through training sessions, weekly meetings with their mentors and coaching from the BRIDGE coaches. We look forward to watching them continue to grow as educators in their second year of the program!

Additionally, we are proud to highlight those who were recently recognized for completing the WESD Special Education BRIDGE program! The group was trained on special education law and disabilities, specially designed instruction, proctoring IEP meetings and more. They too have earned their institutional recommendation to the ADE, allowing them to receive a teaching certificate in special education!

An excellent job to all of our BRIDGE graduates! If you hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education and would also like to fulfill your dream of becoming a teacher, please contact the WESD Human Resources Department at 602-347-2622.

Our next May 2026 Employee of the Month spotlight goes to Lynel Sonneveldt, kindergarten-third grade literacy coach at Washington Elementary! 🌟

Lynel is valued for her thoughtful use of data to guide instruction. She consistently compares student performance data with classroom observations to ensure decisions are evidence-based and responsive to student needs. Lynel persistently asks critical questions such as why students are not making progress and how to better support their learning. Her leadership in facilitating multiple kindergarten through third grade data meetings has strengthened team collaboration and focus on student outcomes. In those meetings, Lynel not only analyzes trends but also recognizes student growth and individual successes. Through this work, she fosters a culture of reflection, accountability and continuous improvement centered on student achievement. Lynel demonstrates strong customer service by stepping in wherever needed, including administering assessments like AASA and covering classrooms. She also supports CBM and STAR assessments, helping teachers deepen their understanding of progress monitoring. Lynel’s professional development sessions are well-designed, with clear modeling and structured opportunities for practice. Her coaching approach is intentional and aligned with instructional goals, making support both practical and relevant. Lynel’s calm and supportive demeanor helps create a safe environment for teacher growth and confidence-building. Additionally, her leadership has contributed to measurable student growth, including improved third grade fluency and the development of the SOAR intervention in second grade. Lynel’s colleagues describe her as hardworking, kind and intentional.

The WESD Governing Board will host an in-person special meeting/study session today, June 3, at 2:30 p.m. Please note that the meeting will not be live streamed.

Last month, we were proud to celebrate our incredible substitute teachers at the WESD Substitute Appreciation Dinner! 🌟

The evening featured our “Substitute Ahoy!” initiative, designed to strengthen support for substitute teachers through enhanced standards and incentives that help elevate instructional quality across all 33 WESD schools.

Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner sponsored by VSMG of Phoenix while we celebrated the outstanding contributions of our substitutes. The night included exciting raffle prizes, special recognition awards and heartfelt appreciation for those who consistently went above and beyond to support our students and schools.

One of the evening’s highlights was honoring Palace Rollins as our Substitute Teacher of the Year for her exceptional dedication, commitment and impact on students and the WESD community. 🌟

A special thank you to Substitute Coordinator Arleen Proto, Human Resources Administrative Assistant Cynthia Hattabaugh and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Rich Morris for their leadership, advocacy and support in launching the “Substitute Ahoy!” initiative.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating these invaluable members of the !

Most importantly, thank you to our substitute teachers for all you do each day to support our students and schools. We appreciate you! 💙