New Crossroads Academy Arizona

New Crossroads Academy would like to celebrate our very own Operations Manager Alicia Buckhanan for being awarded the Outstanding Correctional Educator of the Year award at the Arizona Correctional Educators (ACE) Conference this year!

Alicia's relentless, fiery passion for educating and nurturing our detained youth exemplifies the true nature of a New Crossroads Academy Phoenix: leading with motivation, direction, purpose, and opportunity! 🔥

Thank you to Cynthia Meyers (Outreach Manager) for presenting the award on behalf of Dr. Clay Cochise County School Superintendent.

School Connect Series Wraps Up in Cochise County with Vision for Lasting Community Partnerships
The third and final training session of the School Connect program for family and community engagement concluded last week at the Rothery Educational Service Center in Sierra Vista. Hosted by the Cochise County School Superintendent's Office, the event was spearheaded by County Superintendent Dr. Jacqui Clay, who opened the session with an inspirational address that set a united tone for the day.
Clay emphasized that student success is not solely the responsibility of parents and school personnel — it is a shared mission that requires the entire community to engage, invest, and work together. Her message centered on the collaborative goal of raising well-adjusted, community-minded, and educated young adults who are prepared to contribute to society.
School Connect Founder and CEO Tracey Beal then led participants through the session's core focus: building well grounded family and community partnerships. "This series trains how to engage the entire village around school," Beal said. The training built on the foundation established in previous sessions, during which participants worked through a structured progression — identifying their dreams, analyzing data to set goals, and selecting specific projects to pursue. Beal noted that attendees had also explored the Love Our Schools Day model and learned how to asset-map their communities in order to attract partners and participants to the Community and Family Engagement events, known as CAFEs.
The final session brought those threads together. Participants learned how to effectively share their school's story, how to meaningfully engage parents, and how to track and communicate their progress through impact reports. "We're going to host a CAFE and Love Our Schools Day and see these schools, with many partners surrounding them, accomplish their goals," Beal said. Looking ahead, the program aims to continue coaching schools and community organizations on hosting CAFEs, with hopes of drawing even more school districts across Cochise County into the fold.
Among those attending for the first time was Pastor Demond McGrew, who quickly grasped the program's core mission. "My understanding is that the program is about the community coming together — how we can support one another and how we can support our youth. That's very important to me," he said. "How we can become a cohesive unit — that's important. I would love to make connections and then see how I can play a part in serving the great community of Sierra Vista."
Center for Academic Success (CAS) Principal Sarah Paulsen, attending her second School Connect session, highlighted the value of the networking opportunities the program provides. "I feel it's really good for networking amongst all the principals and superintendents," she said. "We're all in this school community, but not all of us really know each other. So I think it's great to allow this time to collaborate and work together. Even though we're not all in the same district, the collaboration is still important."
New Crossroads Academy mentor Paige Chastain echoed that enthusiasm, expressing excitement about the potential for cross-sector relationships. "I'm super excited to meet more businesses and other school districts and see how we can work together," Chastain said. "We can see what services we can all bring to the children."
With three training sessions now complete, the School Connect program has laid a strong foundation in Cochise County — equipping educators, community leaders, faith organizations, and businesses with the tools and relationships needed to build a strong system of support around local students.

The Interweave Solutions “Counseling in the Streets” program is making its debut in Cochise County, bringing targeted mental health and life-skills education directly to local students. Facilitated by the Cochise County School Superintendent's Office, the initiative is being piloted at Lowell Junior High School, marking the first time the program has been implemented within the county.
Staff members from the superintendent’s office were trained by Interweave’s experienced and certified counselors before assuming responsibility for delivering the curriculum themselves. Now leading the sessions on campus are Behavioral Intervention Specialists Bibiana Sanchez and Stacy Snitzler, who have guided students through a series of discussions over the past two months. This story reflects the third installment of the program at Lowell Junior High, highlighting its continued growth and impact.
Principal Laura Miller emphasized the program’s adaptability and relevance to student needs. “These counseling services or community outreach classes that Jacqui Clay’s superintendent’s office has proven to be very helpful,” she said. “They catered it to what our needs are and what the kids felt that they needed. For our school that was mental health. The students were more concerned with how to help their peers if they’re suffering through depression or just having some anxiety and things like that.”
According to Sanchez, the program’s structure allows students to take an active role in shaping its direction. “Today will be our third session over the past two months, with the prior sessions being family relationships and suicide,” she said. “The kids have been really interested in all the topics that we talked about. They chose the topics themselves. They’re opening up a lot more as we come regularly—we have really good conversations.”
Students say the sessions are already making a meaningful difference. Sixth grader Logan McBeth noted, “I really like it. It’s very open. It’s helped me build better relationships with people.” Eighth grader Pedro Martinez added, “Because of the sessions I’ve learned there’s ways to find out if you’re in a talking relationship or not—that helped me because I was in a toxic relationship at one point. One session we talked about what you should do to prevent addiction. It makes you rethink your situations and helps to build character later in life.”
The sessions are hosted during first period in a class led by Physical Education teacher Maria Rodriguez, who praised both the program and its facilitators. “I think it’s been wonderful,” she said. “To be able to help and motivate and guide the students through health issues that some may have. The ladies from the county school superintendent’s office are doing a wonderful job talking to the students. They answer all the questions no matter what the topic. They’re willing to do everything they possibly can. The fact that they bring these particular classes into our schools is wonderful, beneficial and uplifting for the students—and they really appreciate it.”
As the pilot program continues, its early success at Lowell Junior High suggests a promising future for expanding “Counseling in the Streets” to other schools across Cochise County.

Twelve finalists from across Cochise County gathered at the Cochise County School Superintendent’s office in Sierra Vista for the final round of interviews to determine the 2025/26 Teacher of the Year.
The annual program, which dates back to its first award in 2002, recognizes excellence in teaching through a structured selection process. This year’s finalists include three teachers each from the elementary, middle, and high school levels, plus one special projects category. After individual interviews, judges will select one winner per category before choosing an overall Teacher of the Year.
The four esteemed judges—Cochise College instructor Nickie Dannels, Fort Huachuca Garrison Commander Col. Michael Childs, Thunder Mountain Church’s Ryan Percy, and American Southwest Credit Union representative Chase Frenette—conducted their interviews as a team. Their task was challenging, as each educator brought unique strengths and dedication to the table.
While one teacher was interviewed, a nervous Angela Hazel waited in the reception area. Hazel, a middle school teacher in her second year at the Center for Academic Success in Sierra Vista (CAS), expressed surprise at her nomination. “I was baffled by my nomination though being quite honored and touched that my principal at CAS thought of me for the award this year,” she said.
Hazel emphasized her straightforward teaching philosophy: “I’ve done the best I can, and that’s what I ask my students to do. That’s what I did, I did the best I can and that’s all I can do.”
Dennis Unger, a middle school teacher at Pomerene Elementary School, also advanced to the finalist stage for the first time despite previous nominations. After his interview, Unger noted how welcoming the process felt. “They made you feel really like you’re important and at ease. I think I did real well actually,” he said.
Unger described his core goal as a teacher: keeping students engaged in learning. “My end goal as a teacher is to keep my students to keep on learning, and they love learning. That’s a good thing.”
Willcox High School math teacher Praveen Payyasakathu, who has taught at the school for 10 years, waited patiently for his turn. He expressed deep gratitude for the recognition. “I’m so blessed to be a part of this. I was surprised to be nominated. I’m thankful for the community, students, parents and of course my colleagues and administration for this honor.”
Biology teacher Wendy Mehl from Buena High School shared a similar sense of humility. “I work with so many amazing teachers that it felt like, oh gosh me! It was a really neat feeling,” she said. She admitted feeling nervous while waiting. “I’m nervous. Are you kidding me? I kind of wish I could be a fly on the wall in there. I would love to hear everyone else’s presentation because there’s so many cool teachers [and] so many cool things. I hope some day we could broadcast how many neat things are going on in our county.”
The judges brought diverse perspectives to the selection process. Nickie Dannels, an instructor herself, noted the high caliber of the candidates. “It’s a great opportunity. Being an instructor myself and seeing what all these instructors are doing, they’re all amazing. It’s going to be a tough job trying to figure out who to choose.”
Col. Michael Childs, returning for a second year as a judge, praised the educators’ quality. “I did this last year. I really appreciate the opportunity because I get to see the best of us. These teachers are incredible. As a parent, I really love kind of seeing how these teachers approach their day. We have such a high quality of individuals that are coming in here and being scored, it’s like an Olympic race.”
Ryan Percy, participating for the first time, brought personal insight as a former teacher and the spouse of a past Middle School Teacher of the Year. “I used to be a teacher, so I know all about the routine of trying to do your best. Then they pick you because you’re doing your job well, and that’s really cool,” he said. “My wife was actually Middle School Teacher of the Year. I’m really excited to see all these great teachers that are part of our community.”
Chase Frenette approached the role from a community and business perspective. “We’re all about fostering our communities, creating a community support network. These folks are fostering and creating our leaders for the next generation, and they’re so important to us. Reviewing and going over these amazing teachers is sincerely an honor for us. We’re really happy just to be asked to participate.”
The interviews highlighted not only individual teaching excellence but also the broader impact of dedicated educators in rural and small-town schools across Cochise County. Whether inspiring teachers like Angela Hazel, in her second year at CAS, or seasoned veterans like Praveen Payyasakathu and Dennis Unger, the program underscores the vital role teachers play in shaping the region’s future.
Winners for the 2025/26 school year are expected to be announced soon following the judges’ deliberations. The recognition serves as both a celebration of outstanding educators and a reminder of the high-quality teaching occurring daily in Cochise County classrooms.

The annual Academic All-Stars and Golden Apple Awards returned to Sierra Vista last week, as Herald/Review Media hosted its ninth ceremony at the Cochise College Student Union. The event brought together students, educators, and families from across Cochise County to celebrate academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to education.
A total of 25 students, ranging from first through 12th grades—including 12 graduating seniors—were recognized as Academic All-Stars. Each honoree was acknowledged not only for strong academic performance, but also for leadership and civic engagement within their schools and communities. In addition, 22 educators, paraprofessionals, and school support staff received Golden Apple Awards for their outstanding commitment to teaching and mentoring. The day’s highest honor, the Crystal Apple Award, was presented to Pueblo del Sol Elementary School third-grade teacher Laura Peters.
The ceremony was led by Herald/Review Media Publisher Jennifer Sorenson, who welcomed attendees and guided the program. Throughout the event, she introduced each award recipient, highlighting their individual accomplishments and contributions.
Before the awards were presented, Dr. Jacqui Clay, Cochise County School Superintendent, delivered an inspiring address that placed students at the forefront of the celebration. She praised their academic achievements while also recognizing the vital roles educators and parents play in shaping student success. Clay emphasized the importance of encouraging young people to strive for their full potential and expressed hope that many will one day return to contribute their talents to Cochise County.
Following her remarks, Clay remained to personally present awards to each student and pose for photographs, underscoring the community’s investment in its youth.
Now in its ninth year, the Academic All-Stars and Golden Apple Awards ceremony continues to reflect the strength of a community united around education. By honoring both students and educators, the event highlights a shared commitment to building a brighter future for Cochise County.

The Women’s Council of Realtors Sierra Vista/Cochise Network held its monthly meeting last week at Sierra Vista’s Sky Islands Regional Partnership and Foundation facility, where Cochise County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jacqui Clay was invited to speak. The organization, recognized by both the National Association of Realtors and the Arizona Association of Realtors, traces its origins to 1938 and continues to play an active role in professional development and community engagement.
The Women’s Council of Realtors Sierra Vista/Cochise prioritizes camaraderie, networking, referrals, and leadership—not only within its membership but throughout the broader community in which its members live and work. President Angela Semrad emphasized that the organization values collaboration with community and business leaders, allowing members to stay informed on important local issues and share that knowledge with clients and others in the real estate industry.
This month’s keynote speaker, Dr. Clay, underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors. “This is a continuation of connecting the dots in Cochise County. We’re an educational ecosystem and we have to bring everybody in. The Women’s Realtor group needs to know what’s going on, but we need to know what they need. So I’m here creating relationships and collaborating with them,” she said.
Clay’s message reflects a broader philosophy that extends beyond the education system. Her approach calls for a unified effort involving not only parents and guardians, but also community members, faith-based organizations, businesses, and government entities. By fostering these connections, Clay advocates for a more cohesive and supportive environment that benefits students and the community as a whole.

The monthly Emergency Crisis Response Team (ECRT) meeting was held last week at the Oletski Border Operations Center in Sierra Vista, bringing together a wide range of community partners focused on school safety throughout Cochise County.
The meeting, coordinated by the Cochise County School Superintendent's Office, serves as a collaborative forum for representatives from local school districts, behavioral health agencies, law enforcement, fire departments, community organizations, and federal partners including the United States Border Patrol. Together, these partners form the county’s School Safety Consortium, a cooperative network designed to strengthen preparedness, prevention, and response efforts in schools across the county.
Leading the meeting was STOP Grants Coordinator Stacy Snitzler of the Cochise County School Superintendent’s Office. This month’s discussion centered on the upcoming launch of a new anonymous reporting system intended to expand school and community safety resources throughout Cochise County.
“The goal is to give not only students, but community members, parents—everybody throughout the county—a safe, comfortable place to be able to report any kind of concerning behavior,” Snitzler explained.
According to Snitzler, the system is particularly important in rural communities where residents may hesitate to report concerns because of the close-knit nature of small towns.
“In a rural county like Cochise, people sometimes don’t feel empowered to say what they might see or witness because of the tight communities they live in,” she said. “This gives them a way to do that. It gives them the empowerment to feel anonymous but still share concerns that could help others.”
The reporting system operates in partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit organization focused on violence prevention and school safety. Snitzler noted that tips submitted through the system will first be received by trained counselors at the organization’s crisis center.
“The trained counselors are able to triage those tips based upon the type of concern,” Snitzler said. “If it is a life-safety issue, obviously law enforcement and emergency services are notified, as well as the appropriate schools.”
Local educators emphasized the importance of the collaborative effort. Nicole Parker, Safe and Healthy Students Coordinator for the Sierra Vista Unified School District, said the ECRT meetings provide valuable coordination and training opportunities.
“I find it extremely important that we have a county crisis response team to support all of our schools, from our larger districts all the way down to our singleton schools,” Parker said. “We are able to support students and staff in our school communities when there is a crisis situation. We also receive training, hear about opportunities from the county and state, and strengthen our partnerships.”
First-time attendee Shannel Blackshear, a softball coach at Buena High School and a member of the district’s Career and Technical Education department, attended the meeting as part of her social work internship.
“I’m actually excited to learn what this is and just be able to see it from the various perspectives inside,” Blackshear said.
Through meetings like the ECRT gathering, Cochise County leaders continue working to build stronger communication, training, and prevention strategies designed to keep students, staff, and communities safe.

The School Connect program visited Cochise County by bringing its community-centered education model to the Rothery Educational Service Center in Sierra Vista. The event gathered educators, business owners, nonprofit leaders, faith-based representatives, and government officials with a shared goal: building stronger partnerships to support local schools and students.
Founder and CEO Tracey Beal expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Cochise County School Superintendent Dr. Jacqui Clay and district leaders. Beal described School Connect’s mission as creating a “village of support” around every campus. The model encourages participation from all sectors of the community—business, nonprofit, faith, and government—so that schools are not working in isolation but are backed by a coordinated network of partners.
Central to the program is data-driven planning. Beal explained that School Connect equips educators with training and coaching to analyze their school data, identify specific needs, and set measurable goals. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution, the model empowers each school to clarify its vision and align community resources with its priorities. The day’s workshop focused on practical strategies to help schools articulate their “dreams” and translate them into actionable plans.
Terri Romo, superintendent of the Sierra Vista Unified School District, welcomed the initiative. She noted that while local districts already work to engage community partners, School Connect offers a structured framework for meaningful collaboration. By facilitating organized dialogue and relationship-building, the program strengthens connections that directly benefit students.
The expansion into Cochise County was made possible through a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation. Since its founding, School Connect has partnered with approximately 784 schools across Arizona and has extended its reach to communities nationwide.
Dr. Clay emphasized that education functions within a broader ecosystem. “In our educational ecosystem we need everybody,” she said, underscoring the importance of shared responsibility. By bringing diverse stakeholders to the table, School Connect reinforces a grassroots approach to education—one in which student success is a collective endeavor rather than the sole responsibility of schools.

The Cochise County School Superintendent’s Office hosted the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) Level 2 Workshop at the Rothery Educational Services Center in Sierra Vista. The training was led by CSTAG Trainer Byron Wong and focused on strengthening school officials’ ability to evaluate and respond to potential threats of student violence.
The workshop emphasized a problem-solving approach to threat prevention. Participants worked through a range of realistic scenarios, learning how to distinguish between transient and substantive threats and how to develop appropriate intervention plans. The goal was not only to assess risk but also to provide supportive responses that address underlying issues before situations escalate.
Dr. Jacqui Clay, Cochise County School Superintendent, described the event as a continuation of the county’s broader school safety initiative. “The Threat Assessment event today is the continuation of our school safety project,” Clay said. “This is where we provide the venue for everybody to come together and continue to learn. This is all about school safety and to further learn about various forms of threat assessments in the schools.”
The workshop reinforced the county’s commitment to proactive, collaborative school safety strategies.