Excellence forEvery PV Student.
A dedicated educator and community leader running for the Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board — championing students, supporting teachers, and strengthening strong public schools.
Meet Rick Ross
Multi-Decade Educator
Rick Ross is a multi-decade educator who has been a program builder for students, teachers, and community. He absolutely loves bringing people together to create teachable moments, provide musical and educational experiences, and build community.
Classroom Educator
Rick directed choral music students for 25 years in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. He created the choral program at Greenway Middle School during its first decade and was the proud Director of Choral Activities at Shadow Mountain High School for 15 years. Rick greatly enjoyed collaborating with his educational colleagues and artists across the state while providing musical and educational opportunities for students.
Campus Administrator
After departing the classroom, Rick went on to facilitate positive campus culture and student achievement as Dean of Students at SMHS. In addition to providing attendance and positive behavior support, he led the campus-wide PBIS program that promoted "The Matador Way" with the "I CARE" values that were created through school-wide engagement.
Community Contributions
During his 34 years as a public school educator in PVUSD, he was involved in numerous District & Association leadership roles & committees, as well as negotiating 19 contracts on behalf of certified personnel to improve teaching conditions and learning outcomes. Rick also sang with multi-generations of kiddos as Children’s Choir Director at Church of the Beatitudes. He greatly enjoyed directing the Pre-K through 6th graders for 13 years. Rick has recently retired from PVUSD and is enjoying his time as a Professional Development Facilitator and Enrichment Instructor with Inspirato Education. It has been Rick’s pleasure and privilege to be involved with Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona from its very first production (He was the Mayor in "Seussical"), serving as a founding member of the Board and currently serving as Secretary. Rick has enjoyed numerous roles with MTAA as well as other organizations throughout the Valley. Rick continues to be involved with his alma maters by supporting Arizona State University and serving on the Nebraska Wesleyan University Alumni Council.
Priorities for PVUSD
Maximize Resources
Maximize all resources to support the education of every student.
Lifelong Learners
Provide a positive, engaging, and safe learning path for every child to be a lifelong learner with the skills to adapt to a changing environment.
Community Collaboration
Enhance and grow communication and collaboration with all community stakeholders by continuing and enhancing the PV Way.
Classroom Focused
Make all decisions with the classroom as the focus.
Value Our Educators
Value, include, and retain all those supporting our educational mission.
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