I was truly surprised to read your article about Superintendent Risha VanderWey. I first met Ms. VanderWey while working as a special-education teacher for Flagstaff Unified School District some 20-plus years ago. She quickly earned a great deal of respect among her colleagues as a highly intelligent, friendly professional who cared deeply about the welfare of the students and her peers. It was no surprise to watch her career flourish.
After I left FUSD, I worked as the special education director for the Montessori Schools of Flagstaff for 11 years before moving to Cortez in 2017. Like Ms. VanderWey, I intended to make Cortez my home. I worked for the Montezuma-Cortez School District as a special-education teacher before resigning in 2020 and returning to Arizona. You see, I was appalled by the lack of protocol with regard to the district’s special education program and the treatment of many of my colleagues.
When I learned that Ms. VanderWey was the new superintendent, I was thrilled. Maybe now, I thought, the district will attract and keep highly qualified teachers and value their staff, and the students will get the education and services they need and deserve.
If the Montezuma-Cortez School District loses Ms. VanderWey, it will not only be a great loss to the students and teachers, but to the community as well.
Karen Carrozza
Sedona, Arizona
