Candi Rice

I've spent 33 years teaching everything from kindergarten to sixth grade students, art to science, and worked from the belief that every child is exceptional! I presently teach kindergarten in the Phoenix area and still love spending my days at school! The following schools have been fortunate to have had Candi teach as part of their staffs: 1980—1985: Adams ElementarySchool-2nd, 5th 1985—1991: Art Student at MesaCommunity College (Earned several scholarships for her Portfolio work.) 1991—1996: Sureno ElementarySchool-3rd and K 1997—1999: Helped open Manitas-K 2000—2004: Taught private Kindergarten for Bethany Learning Center in Tempe. 2004—2005: Sureño ElementarySchool-K 2005—present: Estrella Elementary School-Kindergarten Additionally, Candi has taught nationally with the Bureau of Educationand Research from 2001 until present.

Colleagues report that Candi is a “workaholic” that gives 110% all of the time. This creative, entertaining, and humorous teacher, who makes learning fun for both the “kinders” and her co-workers, is the first to arrive at school and the last to leave. A co-worker stated, “Candi brings laughs and happiness to those around her. She is a wonderful listener and has good advice on dealing with different situations. She is a true leader and will take the bull by the horns…always. She embraces change and is always looking out for the goodness of the child.” Another co-worker reported that Candi is approachable to students, parents, and teachers. She is very pro parent involvement and advocates for a team approach. But watch out when you open her door as there is always some exciting learning experience going on. You might see Candi wearing an apron with a tall chef’s hat on and her students flocked around their own easy-bake ovens. A number of teachers reported hearing the crackling of fried Won Tons being made for Chinese New Year. “I walked in one time and her children were standing on furniture ‘driving the Mayflower’ and eating canned tuna fish. Candi goes not only the extra mile, but across the Earth to make learning fun.” Another co-worker stated that Candi always has a lesson for the week. If the lesson is “O” for ocean creatures, she takes them on an underwater adventure with an octopus and her whole classroom transforms to focus on thatl esson for the week. It is no wonder that Candi is admired for her dedication, time, energy, and efforts. If it is engaging and beneficial for kids, she will do it. Of note: her students remember the activities and projects. “She is on a pedestal. My neck is sore from looking up for 7 years.” Another admirer reported, “If I am in the hall, and I am met with a parade of helium-voiced little people looking for the Gingerbread Man, I know it is Candi’s class of fired-up kindergarteners.” Candi Rice lights up our lives!

Candi has received the following distinctions: 8th grade Valedictorian of Tonalea Grade School; one of the Salutatorians at Marcos de Niza; 5th in her class at MaricopaCommunity College with a 3.95 GPA which earned her recognition on the Honor Board; graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.93 GPA from Arizona State University where she earned her BA in Elementary Education; and graduated Summa Cum Laude again, with a 4.0 GPA at Northern Arizona University where she earned her Master’s in Education. Candi was also Arizona State Two Baton Twirling Champion who could twirl up to 3 batons at a time, as well as twirl fire. Additionally, Candi has taught nationally with the Bureau of Education and Research from 2001 until present.

I'm a local girl, meaning I've been educated in Arizona! Grade school in Scottsdale, High School in Tempe, and college in Mesa, Tempe and Flagstaff! If I ever earn a Doctorate, it should probably be from the University of Arizona in Tucson, but for now, I'm a Sun Devil! Go, Sparky!

It is not by accident nor surprising that Candice Rice left Kansas on the heels of a tornado, and never looked back. She just found the thing closest to it: Teaching! Her own twisty-twirly path to this life choice began at Tonalea Elementary in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona and brought her to a world of grade school bliss. It was the sixties, and she was living in the world of Kool-aid, Wallace and Ladmo, and tie-dye. Life was good. Despite vomiting on Mrs. Heard’s desk in second grade, she was convinced that a life lived inside a grade school was definitely in her future. As her days of homework, cake-walks and trick or treating romped by, she was impacted by teachers who challenged her to be her best, study well, play hard and live with joy. Remaining local, her days spent in Tempe at Marcos de Niza High School, she found learning was still fabulously fun, even when attempting to start a small fire in Mr. Dauster’s freshmen physical science lab. Despite hawking cokes at the A.S.U. football games, or stuffing hotdogs for the vendors, she loved hanging with the band geeks and twirling baton with the band. Summer school science by choice was the norm, along with days spent at Big Surf and Lunt Ave. Marble Club with those same crazy band friends. Life was good. Graduation, followed by more Christmas times spent in short sleeves and sun were her constant as she obtained a teaching certificate as a Sun Devil. She had discovered her white knight running track, and married this Nike wearing architecture student. Another graduation followed along with her first teaching assignment and her first born son! Life was good. . . and centered on the wonderful world of teaching along with house renovation, baby burping and even art school. Holidays were still spent in short sleeves and sun, and Candi taught on and on. Whether in second, fifth, or sixth grade, pre-school, counseling high school, or teaching other teachers, she savored the teaching experience. . . but she found her true teaching home when she landed her first kindergarten gig! Life was really, really good! And kindergarten has been her Oz ever since! It even came complete with ruby slippers . . .