At Basha High School, it's not just the students who are eagerly wrapping up the school year. Tanner Phillips, the campus American Sign Language (ASL) teacher, is celebrating the triumphs and trials of her inaugural year at the helm. Having followed in the footsteps of her parents, both of whom are employed within the Chandler Unified School District, education is a family business for Phillips. "So good!" is how she described her first year to ABC15. Despite encountering the inevitable challenges that come with the first year on the job, she has had the support of a robust school community and her well-experienced family. Even at home, bouncing ideas off her parents, who are no strangers to the education sector, is nothing new. "I did it yesterday!" Phillips told ABC15.
The road for a teacher, especially new to the fray, is laden with constant decision-making and adaptability. Regardless of the hurdles, Phillips seems to have landed on her feet, having decided to continue her journey at Basha High next year. Notably, the school looks to broaden its ASL program with the addition of a second teacher, extending its reach to students hungry for language and connection.
Meanwhile, Basha seniors are looking at a wealth of scholarship opportunities. The school has published a comprehensive list of financial aids, indicating a move to support further education for its students. Among the myriad of available educational funds are the Andersen Elementary PTO Scholarship, John and Carol Carlson Scholarship, and many others tailored to a diverse array of interests and needs, as listed on Chandler Education Foundation's website. These scholarships aim to ease the financial burden of college-going students who meet the eligibility criteria.
As the school year concludes, both Phillips and her students stand on the precipice of future endeavors. The students, vested with knowledge and now opportunities to aid their academic pursuits. And for Phillips, teaching retains its luster, its capacity to invigorate, even after days that tested resilience. "Absolutely," she confirmed her passion for teaching to ABC15, "It doesn't come without challenges. There have been hard days, but so many days when I go home in my car as I'm driving, I think I love my job!" With new scholarships and expanding programs, Basha High School's commitment to fostering a supportive educational environment reverberates through the echoes of its halls, into the communities it serves, and the personal and professional growth of its educators and students alike.
