The Seventy

YUHSD Chief Communications Officer Eric Patten is joined by Superintendent Gina Thompson and YUHSD Safety Officer and COVID-19 Project Manager Ryann Quick. The trio talks in depth about the way the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted students, including the mental trauma inflicted. They also review the incredible timeline from March 13, 2020 to today and dispel some of the wild myths and misnomers about the district's practices and policies during the pandemic. 

YUHSD Chief Communications Officer Eric Patten is joined by Superintendent Gina Thompson and Arizona Western College President Dr. Daniel Corr. In the relaunch of The Seventy, and an interview that was more than a year in the making, the two local education leaders discuss the partnership between the high school district and the college, changes to the perception of education in the Yuma community, the value of dual-credit offerings, how they approach challenges, and much more. 

YUHSD Chief Communications Officer Eric Patten rings in 2020 with Josh Cecil, Centennial Middle School teacher and organizer for the Yuma Educators Summit. The two talk about how to sign up for the first-ever local teacher professional development, what drove Cecil to get into education, and why producing a high-quality professional development in his own backyard is so important to him. For more information on YES, which takes place June 25-26 at Arizona Western College, visit: www.yesyuma.org. 

Superintendent Gina Thompson spends time with Yuma High Teaching and Learning Coordinator and YUHSD AVID Coordinator Christal Buckley and Gila Ridge history teacher Dave Robinson. The trio discuss WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading) strategies, why AVID is here to stay, and much more.

In the sixth episode of The Seventy, Chief Communications Officer Eric Patten talks to YUHSD's Director of Education Technology & Learning Management Melissa Ellegood, and Kofa High School culinary instructor and reigning High School Teacher of the Year Christie Nicholson about Canvas, how it can be implemented in all classes, why it's a valuable tool for students, teachers, and parents, and much more. 

In a conversation about how school counselors can assist students, YUHSD Chief Communications Officer Eric Patten is joined by San Luis High School Counseling Director Cesar Castillo and Cibola High School Counselor Kevin Swearingin. They dispel myths about the FAFSA, and talk counselor-to-student ratio, technology innovations in each of their departments, and more.

YUHSD Superintendent Gina Thompson talks about standards-based grading, the impact it has on student achievement and success, and much more with Chief Academic Officer Eric Brooks and Kofa High School Science Instructional Leader Ian Coltman.

YUHSD's Eric Patten discusses student nutrition with YUHSD Student Nutrition Director Grace Pruit. They talk about new menu items like paninis, wraps, and salads, how the no-cost meal program works, how decisions are made about the menu, and much more. 

YUHSD's Eric Patten discusses coaching with Gila Ridge High School football coach Jae Ellegood and Yuma High School volleyball and softball coach Jessica Gastelum. The trio touches on the experience of a new coach, the differences between being on campus vs. off campus, how to get more students to turnout and buy in, and much more. 

Yuma Union High School District Superintendent Gina Thompson talks to Cibola High School English Instructional Leader Monique Manifold and Yuma High School Science Instructional Leader Marelis Rivera. The group reflects on their time in the district as well as focuses on the practice and philosophy of students redoing and retaking exams.