Scottsdale Charros Education Committee Chairman, Chris Rivera, talks his personal motivations for supporting both public education and the Scottsdale Unified School District.
As education committee chairman, what is the scope of work you are encountering this year?
I am honored to be the education chairman for the Scottsdale Charros for 2019-20. Part of the Charros’ mission is to serve as philanthropic ambassadors that provide support and funding for youth, education, and local charities. Like my Compadres before me, my focus is to continue the fundraising efforts that support our current initiatives.
We have been fortunate enough to receive grants and funding from various groups that believe in the mission of the Charros. This funding in conjunction with proceeds raised from spring training baseball allow us to support SUSD in a number of ways.
What public education needs are emerging today and how is that focus changing the mission of the Charros education arm?
In May of 2019 we had an education town hall meeting with a number of stakeholders including SUSD teachers and principals, school board members, ASU, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale Independent, Charros, and others to help us identify needs in the district that could use additional support.
The biggest area of need identified in the meeting was the various social and emotional learning programs that SUSD is implementing. The Charros have been working with the support services division of the district to identify ways that our organization support short term and long term needs in this area.
What is the overall goal of the education initiatives within the Scottsdale Charros organization?
The overall goal of the education initiatives within our organization is to aid Scottsdale Unified School District in “Ensuring all individual learners reach their full potential.”
What do you admire most about those who teach?
I was fortunate enough to have some very impactful teachers when I was growing up. These teachers were sources of motivation, inspiration, and learning for me. They not only contributed to my academic achievement but also my personal and social development. I still remember their names and how they made learning interesting and fruitful.
What do you hope this education recognition effort does for those who teach in our school district?
The Charros Annual Education Outstanding Student and Educator Awards Recognition is a time to celebrate the best of the best in the Scottsdale Unified School District. The banquet gives student and educators an opportunity to spend a fun evening at a nice resort and be recognized.
Scottsdale Independent Managing Editor News Editor Terrance Thornton can be e-mailed at tthornton@newszap.com or can be followed on Twitter at twitter.com/nvnewsman.