Embracing, Educating, and Elevating Alhambra ESD

Dr. Karen E. Williams 

Alhambra Elementary District Superintendent Karen E. Williams not only believes in forward-thinking, she knows it’s essential to find solutions to the challenges her district faces. Alhambra is home to one of Arizona’s most diverse communities, including the state’s largest refugee population. There is a 27% mobility rate and 94-percent of students receive free or reduced lunch. Seventy languages are spoken within the school district.

In order to break the cycle of generational poverty faced by students, the district looked to the job market of the future and decided there needed to be a new focus on the area of most potential growth – STEM.

In order to promote student learning, Alhambra’s STEM initiative was built on four key areas - curriculum, resources, programs and partnerships.  Dr. Carter Davidson, Alhambra’s director of STEM & HR support services, pointed out that having district academic coaches, who provide support to teachers, has had a positive impact. The 46 STEM activities available for students before and after school have also been important to the district’s mission of preparing them for the future.

Since implementing the initiative, Dr. Williams said Alhambra is experiencing outstanding academic outcomes. In the last two years, an average of 60-percent of Phoenix Union’s Bioscience High School have been former Alhambra students. In that same time frame, Alhambra has promoted 480 students with algebra credit to the Phoenix Union High School District. Alhambra students have also made significant gains at state and national STEM competitions.

The partnership component is seeing success as well. One major partner is Grand Canyon University. The schools are embracing several collaborative opportunities with the goal of educating, and elevating students.

Not only does GCU provides college student mentors for Alhambra students in MESA afterschool programs, but also supports the Alhambra district with grants and sponsorships.

Amanda Hughens, STEM K-12 outreach manager for GCU, explained that GCU also offers STEM Saturdays, which provides hand-on opportunities for students to engage with STEM projects. There are also opportunities for teachers to gain professional development on how to bring STEM activities into the classroom. 

GCU’s Director of Educational Development and Support Kathryn Scott explained an effort called Thunder Vision. The campus visitation program aims to build a college-going culture and drive literacy for students in grades 3-8.  The students get to interact and observe what college life is about while also taking parting in reading incentive activities. The students can earn awards that allow them to return to GCU to attend performances and sporting events on campus.

Jill Hanks
Tempe Union High School District