Legacy Traditional Schools Celebrates its 2022-23 Arizona Teacher and Staff of the Year at Awards Ceremony Ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week
Legacy Traditional Schools, a leading provider of K-8 public education in Arizona, is proud to announce its 2022-23 Arizona Teacher and Staff of the Year and honorees, who were awarded their distinctions at a ceremony on May 3, 2023, at Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes. The awards recognize the contributions and hard work of educators across the nation.
“We are honored to celebrate our exceptional teachers and staff who go above and beyond every day to ensure our students are successful,” said Legacy Traditional Schools – Arizona Superintendent Mia Vega. “Our award winners and honorees are a testament to the commitment and dedication of our entire Legacy Traditional Schools community, and we are thrilled to recognize their outstanding achievements.”
Legacy Traditional Schools’ Arizona Teacher of the Year for 2022-23 is Jody Klue, Reading Interventionist and Junior High Math and Social Studies Teacher at Legacy’s Glendale campus. Jody Klue has been with the Glendale campus since its opening in 2016, teaching 4th grade, Junior High, and this year, serving as the Reading Interventionist. In her nomination, Jody Klue was recognized for her dedication, motivation, and willingness to do whatever it takes to support her students and the Glendale community.
Legacy Traditional Schools’ Arizona Staff of the Year for 2022-23 is Susan Vaninetti, Instructional Coach at Legacy’s Glendale campus. In her nomination, Susan Vaninetti was recognized for her years of service to the Glendale campus, and for inspiring and empowering her colleagues with her expertise in instruction and data analysis. She is known as the “ray of sunshine” at the campus and embodies all the qualities of an exceptional Instructional Coach.
In addition to these prestigious awards, 32 teachers and staff members will be recognized for their milestone achievements, having served Legacy Traditional Schools for 10 years.
A full list of Teacher and Staff of the Year honorees and their campus-level honorees can be found in the table below:
| Campus Name | Teacher of the Year Honoree | Staff of the Year Honoree |
| Avondale | Rena Traslavina, Teacher | Maira Valenzuela, Food Service Manager |
| Casa Grande | Melissa Erb, Teacher | Jamie Hughes, SPED Program Paraprofessional |
| Chandler | Jeremy Sahd, Teacher | Priyanka Saha, Paraprofessional Title I |
| Deer Valley | Amanda McGhee, Teacher | Easton Nickerson, School Secretary |
| East Mesa | Crystal Stockman, Teacher | Cynthia Hopkins, Principal’s Secretary |
| East Tucson | Fiona McGraw, Teacher | Steffanie Dashner, School Secretary |
| Gilbert | Ashlyn White, Teacher | Brian Brandon, Lunch Aide |
| Glendale | Jody Klue, Teacher | Susan Vaninetti, Instructional Coach |
| Goodyear | Laura Shamblin, Teacher | Chad Wiebelhaus, Campus Facilities Manager |
| Laveen | Rhonda Bruflat, Teacher | Violeta Limon, School Counselor |
| Legacy Online Academy | Dr. Kristie Janczyk, Online Teacher | Jan Manning, Permanent Substitute |
| Maricopa | Stephanie Delgado, Teacher | Samantha Neilson, Principal’s Secretary |
| Mesa | Marianne Washburn, Teacher | Stacey Westbrook, Aide |
| North Chandler | Caitlyn Sentner, Teacher | Michael Sornberger, Facilities Manager |
| Northwest Tucson | Pamela Lee, Teacher | Heather Reis, Aide |
| Peoria | Tifanie Moeller, Teacher | Cheryl Soto, School Counselor |
| Phoenix | Heather Muehleisen, Teacher | Shelley Bottle, Instructional Coach |
| North Phoenix | Casaundra Squelch, Teacher | Sandra Grijalva, Aide |
| Queen Creek | Alissa Castro, Teacher | Micaela Collins, Principal Secretary |
| San Tan | Andrea Sommer, Teacher | Morgan Guttery, Aide |
| Surprise | Jessica Robinett, Teacher | Hilary Swope, Registrar |
| West Surprise | Kimberly Wynne, Teacher | Carrie Pilgrim, Principal’s Secretary |