As summer break draws to a close, school districts across the West Valley are preparing for the return of students and families to campus, with Meet the Teacher nights and staggered start dates set to kick off the 2025–26 school year.
The Litchfield Elementary School District will host its Meet the Teacher Night from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29. The first day of school is scheduled for Thursday, July 31. To mark the occasion, the district held a back-to-school celebration for staff, with a keynote address from nationally recognized education leader Jessica Cabeen.
Cabeen, a former Minnesota Principal of the Year and current alternative learning principal, addressed Litchfield’s educators with a message that emphasized balance, purpose and the emotional reality of working in schools. Drawing from her own experience as a principal, parent and doctoral student, Cabeen challenged attendees to prioritize connection, identity and joy alongside academic outcomes.
“You’re not going to be perfect,” she said. “But as long as you have a purpose, you’ll get there.”
Throughout her talk, Cabeen used humor and storytelling to encourage educators to reflect on their roles, not just in classrooms, but in the lives of students and their communities. She emphasized that everyone working in a school is a leader, regardless of title or department, and that each adult plays a part in shaping student success.
“There’s someone in your school who wants to be a teacher, they just don’t know it yet,” Cabeen said, sharing how her own son chose to pursue education after years of support from caring staff. “They just need you to tell them.”
She also spoke candidly about burnout, urging educators to resist the pressure to be “always on” and to invest in habits that support personal well-being. From turning off notifications to taking email off her phone, Cabeen offered small but impactful strategies to protect time, energy and mental health.
“It’s one thing to be super excited in July,” she said. “It’s another thing to be May-tired in October.”
Cabeen described educator resilience as essential to building student resilience, especially in a post-pandemic landscape where relationships often matter more than test scores. Citing her experience leading an online high school program that grew from a 38% to an 81% pass rate, Cabeen credited the transformation to relationships, not curriculum.
“People don’t care what you know until they know that you care,” she said.
Other school districts are also preparing for the year ahead with orientation events and community nights.
Avondale Elementary School District will host its Meet the Teacher Night from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, with classes beginning Monday, Aug. 4.
Buckeye Elementary families are invited to Meet the Teacher at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, with students returning Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Liberty Elementary School District plans its Meet the Teacher event for Thursday, July 31, and classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 5.
Agua Fria Union High School District will welcome freshmen on Monday, Aug. 4, with all other students starting Tuesday, Aug. 5.
Buckeye Union High School District begins its school year Wednesday, Aug. 6.
As families purchase school supplies and finalize schedules, district staff across the West Valley are stepping into the new year with renewed focus.
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