Welcome to the very first episode of All In Avondale! We're kicking things off with a truly special guest — Ms. Belia Hernandez, the longest-serving employee in the Avondale Elementary School District. With an incredible 44 years of dedicated service, Ms. Hernandez has been the heart of Avondale Middle School as its beloved School Secretary. Join us as we celebrate her journey, hear her stories, and reflect on what it really means to be All In for students, staff, and the community.

Welcome to All In Avondale — the podcast where we go ALL IN for teaching, learning, leadership, and life! Each month, we bring you conversations, insights, and stories that connect our schools and community, as we explore ALL IN moments! Whether you're a parent, educator, or community member, this podcast is here to keep you informed, inspired, and engaged. Thanks for tuning in — now let's go All In!

In this episode, we sit down with Avondale Elementary School District's new Superintendent, Dr. Eric Dueppen. Join us as we learn why he chose to lead the Avondale School District and what it means for him to be "All In for Avondale."

Safety is a focus in Avondale ESD and the district is hosting a series of collaborative learning opportunities focused around school and community safety. Hear from Robert Vernier, Vice President of the Avondale Elementary School District Governing Board, to learn more about this parent series called Collaborating to Protect and Connect: Empowering Parents to Ensure Safe Schools and Communities.

Meet the newest leader of the City of Goodyear Police Department, Chief Brian Issitt, and hear about his vision for the department, his passion for the community and his commitment to collaborating with Avondale ESD.

The BHHS Legacy Foundation has a rich history of improving the lives and health of people in the Phoenix area. Hear from Gerry Wissink, CEO of the BHHHS Legacy Foundation, on how this organization partners with local schools and other agencies to help meet the dental, health, and vision needs of students, and the impact they are making in communities throughout the Valley.

Meet Bruce Wall, former President and current Beneficiary Chairman of the West Valley Mavericks, and learn how their members are improving the quality of life for residents of the West Valley through their philanthropic work and charitable giving.

The Rosztoczy Foundation is changing lives for students, schools, families, and communities through a college promise. Learn how this family is impacting entire communities and having a positive impact on education in Arizona by offering surprise college scholarships to an entire grade level at Michael Anderson School.

Hear about the Avondale-Goodyear Education Foundation and how they support students, parents, and staff members of the Avondale Elementary School District.

Meet Tracey Beal, Founder and CEO of School Connect, and hear how they are championing schools, faith organizations, businesses, and community organizations in their quest of building a village of support around schools so that every child can reach their full potential.

Hear how one valley pizza business is supporting and giving back to Avondale ESD by supporting our STEAM initiative and sponsoring employee activities. Peter Piper Pizza is all about great food, family fun, and raising some dough for local schools and students.

Meet members of the Copper Trails National Junior Honor Society and hear how they are building their leadership skills through knowledge and personal experiences gained at the National Junior Honor Society National Conference.

Hear how one simple idea turned into a school-wide event where students got the opportunity of a lifetime to see and touch multiple construction vehicles. In this podcast, you'll meet Greg and Sarah Theim, of E-Z Towing & Recovery, and how they pulled their construction partners together to offer a construction vehicle day for the students at Lattie Coor School.

Meet our new School Resource Officer Kimberly Ortega and hear how she, and the Avondale Police Department, are committed to keeping our schools safe and why building relationships with students is key to the success of this program. Officer Ortega is an Avondale ESD alumni. She's come full circle and is now serving the very community in which she grew up.

Meet Colleen Malany, President of the Goodyear Pebble Creek Rotary Club, and hear how the Rotarians are making a positive impact in our community, with our students, and throughout the world.

Hear about a partnership Avondale ESD has with Make Way for Books, an early literacy nonprofit organization that works with parents and caregivers to become their child's first best teachers by providing programs and resources to ensure our youngest children discover the joy of books.

Meet one of our outstanding preschool teachers, Lisa Herren, and learn about Avondale Elementary School District's award-winning preschool program and why you should enroll your preschooler in our high-quality early childhood program.

Meet the City of Avondale Police Chief Memo Espinoza and hear how we partner with the Avondale Police Department through the School Resource Officer program. You'll also learn about the Teen Police Academy that gives youth a peek behind the scenes of the operations of a police department and how your teen can join.

Meet AESD's newest Governing Board Member Leticia Castro. Mrs. Castro was recently appointed to serve on our Governing Board. In addition to serving our community, she is a parent in AESD and an educator. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Mrs. Castro and her passion for serving the Avondale community.

Meet two of our gifted students and hear about their experiences in our gifted program and their participation in Arizona's Annual Gifted and Talented Conference. They were two of five students selected in the state to participate in a panel discussion on what it is like growing up gifted.