Superintendent Huppenthal impressed with DHS

Arizona Department of Education Superintendent John Huppenthal made an appearance at Douglas High School on Nov. 7.

Superintendent Huppenthal earned an engineering degree from Northern Arizona University; and earned an MBA from Arizona State University.

During his 29 years in public service, he has established himself as one of Arizona’s leading education reformers. Over an 18 year career at the Arizona state legislature, he successfully authored and passed over 200 bills, with a substantial number of them focused on improving education in Arizona.

During Huppenthal’s visit he interacted with students in Mr. David Diaz’s drafting class, Ms. Martha Alonzo Science, Mr. Richard Ross Fire Science and Ms. Dona Savill Biology class.

“He does this everywhere he goes. He connects with the students; he talks to all of the classes. It gives him a real since for what is happening,” Public Information Officer, Molly E. Edwards said. “It is important that we are not just in one place up in Phoenix but that we have the ability to connect with all the schools and students and understand what is happening in the state. You can’t do it by being in an office in one place, you need to get out.”

“I’m very impressed to be able to go into the bio science program and see them working on recombinant DNA; to go into the design class and see them working on the very best software and getting design skills there,” Huppenthal said. “All the way across the board I’m very impressed.”

The Superintendent’s next stop was Valley Union High School in Elfrida.