Superintendent News & Information

Fall 2025

Dear Tanque Verde Community,

As Superintendent of the Tanque Verde Unified School District, I am incredibly proud of the work we do every day to support our students. Our district's vision is a promise to our community to educate every student in an environment that promotes mastery, excellence and integrity.

While our primary focus remains unwavering, ensuring all students achieve at high academic levels, we also understand that true mastery and personal excellence extends beyond the classroom. We are committed to educating well-rounded individuals who are not only prepared for academic success, but encouraged to explore their passions and develop unique skills.

Annually over 60 TVUSD students participate in the Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF) with earnest solutions for solving real world problems. As an 8th grader at Emily Gray Junior High, Luca McGill not only tested his hypothesis for his science fair project, but he also designed the apparatus he used to gather the data. Luca’s vision and research exceeded the standards for the project and eventually earned Luca national recognition as a 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Finalist.

Being well-rounded also means building a diverse set of skills, experiences, and knowledge areas as students are exposed to various situations that connect ideas across disciplines, and engage socially in multiple contexts.

This balance is exemplified in the work of Lisa Nielsen, STEAM Teacher at Tanque Verde Elementary School, who led our very first Odyssey of the Mind team to a 1st place finish at State. “Having never competed before, I was so impressed with how confidently our students solved both the long-term and spontaneous problems. It was rewarding to watch the students apply their learning outside the classroom,” said Ms. Nielsen. From designing a vehicle to writing a script and performing it, Ms. Nielsen’s students coordinated their technical and creative talents to succeed as a team, a true reflection of well-rounded learning in action.

Furthermore, we recognize the importance of preparing students for the evolving demands of the modern workforce. That's why we are dedicated to developing strong Career and Technical Education (CTE) options, offering meaningful career-oriented certifications and real-world experiences.

Both Santino Celani and Brooklyn Johnson have reached their senior year at Tanque Verde High School, building impressive resumes filled with job-related experiences, industry certifications, and top academic honors. Brooklyn is enrolled in the Sports Medicine program, where she is developing transferable skills that align with her future aspirations in healthcare and medicine. Santino is a dual CTE student, exploring both Precision Manufacturing and Agriculture. From interpreting blueprints and calculating machine speeds to managing agribusiness finances and earning recognition in FFA competitions, Santino has found his interests fully engaged and enriched through his chosen coursework.

Beyond academics and career readiness, we believe in the power of extracurricular activities to build character, teamwork, and leadership. We encourage all students to participate in our wide array of sports and clubs, where they can discover new interests, forge lasting friendships, and develop essential life skills.

In Tanque Verde, we are not just educating students; we are cultivating future leaders, innovators, and engaged citizens. By embracing this approach to education, we are empowering every graduate to achieve mastery, pursue their dreams, and make a positive impact on the world.

All my best,

Scott Hageman, Ed.D.

Superintendent