Governing Board | Staff Experience

In 1994, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization officially declared October 5 to be World Teachers’ Day, which the organization describes as “a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education” as well as “to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally.”

There is a tremendous amount to celebrate about teachers and staff, and Paradise Valley Unified School District has been doing just that since it opened its doors as District No. 69 in 1913. But it is not just the celebrations that are important, but all that we can do to ensure that every day in Paradise is one that makes our district an exemplary place not just for our students but also for our staff to thrive – a key goal in our strategic plan.

People choose places of employment for many reasons and those reasons often change over time as one’s life and circumstances evolve. Salary and benefits are always important, and approximately 85% of our budget is devoted to these two areas alone for our nearly 3,400 employees. PV has focused intently over the past several years to remain as competitive as possible with other districts in both.

In a supportive and collaborative workplace, access to and support for professional development and collaboration is critical, and PV has incorporated this into our strategic plan as part of staff experience. In a formal manner, this comes through professional development days and professional learning communities or PLCs. Unofficially, this is also embodied in the myriad moments of mentorship, support, partnership, encouragement, and more that come with innumerable interactions throughout the day with our teachers and staff, as well as parents and volunteers. Collaboration is a shared responsibility we have to help make our schools the best they can be for our students and staff. Our schools are vibrant community hubs, and we all pitch in to help provide an extra academic boost in classrooms, to sew costumes and create sets, to chaperone field trips near and far, to serve on district committees, and more.

We work this well together because so many of us consider ourselves to be proud members of the PV family, a unified experience that is rare in many districts. But you see it throughout PV – for example, in the number of hands raised at our new teacher orientation belonging to former PV students. And there may be no one who better exemplifies our PV family than Dr. Karen Hudson, who is currently in her 50th year teaching in PVSchools and was just named a 2025 recipient of the Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence from the National Education Association as an educator who embodies excellence in their practice, community engagement, and leadership in professional development. So many colleagues and community members joined us in honoring her at the September board meeting – because that’s what families do.

Thank you all for being a part of why so many teachers and staff continue to be #PVStrong and #PVProud!

On behalf of the Governing Board,

Anne Greenberg

President