Inside PVSchools: Meet Principal Shelly Richardson

By Stacy Mantle
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For Fireside Elementary Principal Shelly Richardson, leading the school is more than an administrative role — it is a homecoming.

Richardson taught at Fireside for five years during a classroom career spanning more than two decades before moving into school administration.

After serving as an assistant principal and principal in the Paradise Valley Unified School District and neighboring districts, Richardson returned to Fireside three years ago. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in educational leadership.

What inspired you to become an educator? I always wanted to be a teacher and I truly believe it is the best job in the world. There is nothing better than knowing you made a positive difference in a child’s life. Seeing former students return years later as incredible adults is deeply inspiring.

As a principal, that joy multiplies. I have the opportunity to support our dedicated teachers, foster a positive school culture and watch every student grow into a confident, successful learner. I want students to love learning and believe they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

What brought you back to Fireside Elementary? I was fortunate to teach at Fireside for five years before transitioning into administrative positions in PVSchools and neighboring districts.

Returning three years ago to lead Fireside as principal was an absolute honor. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve a school and community that already meant so much to me.

How do you encourage families to become involved at Fireside? Strong schools are built on strong partnerships with families, so community engagement is central to everything we do. Our PTO events, annual Jingle Bell Jog, Storybook Walk and other activities give families opportunities to connect with the school and one another.

When children are surrounded by a kind, united community, they thrive.

What are you most excited about this school year? I am most excited to watch our students grow, both academically and as kind human beings. None of that would be possible without our amazing staff. Their collaboration, positive energy and commitment to academic rigor create a welcoming environment where every child is treated as a unique individual.

Our teachers worked together at the end of last year to reintroduce Core Knowledge with fidelity and focus on growth for every student. Walking through classrooms and seeing meaningful relationships and active learning reminds me every day why Fireside is such a special place.

How can parents best support their children’s success? Parents can help by creating a supportive home environment built on routine, connection and communication. Establishing regular times for homework, reading and bedtime gives children a safe and predictable structure.

Parents can also ask open-ended questions such as, “What made you smile today?” “What was something challenging you worked through?” or “What was something kind you did today?” Those questions often lead to more meaningful conversations than simply asking, “How was school?”

It is also important to communicate regularly with teachers and reach out early so families and educators can address small challenges before they become larger ones. Reading school newsletters and ParentSquare updates helps families remain connected to school life. Children grow up quickly, and we want parents to be part of the memories made during these important elementary years.

What is your favorite school cafeteria meal? Our cafeteria staff does a fantastic job providing healthy, delicious food for more than 750 students each day. My favorite is the annual Thanksgiving meal. The staff puts so much love into it — and the pumpkin pie is amazing.

Editor’s note:   A grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation made this story possible. The foundation awarded 15 newsrooms to pay for solutions-focused education reporters for two years. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Stacy Mantle
Education Solutions Reporter

smantle@iniusa.org

Meet Stacy
Stacy Mantle is joining the team at Independent Newsmedia, Inc. as an Education Solutions journalist, thanks to a grant from the Arizona Community Collaborative. She has a long history in education that ranges from teaching junior high and middle school to developing curriculum and standards-based assessments.

Community: A longtime advocate for animal welfare, Stacy is deeply involved in rescue efforts and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations.

Random Fact: Once upon a time, she shared her home with a pet coyote and two wolf hybrids. The experiences were wild enough to become the subject of her first book!

Education: She holds a BA in English with a minor in Political Science, a Post-baccalaureate in Secondary Education, and an MBA with a emphasis on Marketing.

Hobbies: In her spare time, Stacy writes fast-paced urban fantasy novels, crafts small-batch artisan soap, and is always up for hiking or off-roading through the Arizona wilderness with her husband of 23 years.