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Lynette Stant
Lynette Stant
01:18

Lynette Stant

Salt River Elementary School

Scottsdale, AZ USA

"My 'Plan B'—little did I know—was my calling."

Career Roadmap

Lynette's work combines: Education, Science, and Teaching / Mentoring

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Day In The Life

Third-Grade Teacher

I teach third grade and I am the 2020 Arizona Teacher of the Year.

My Day to Day

My day starts at 6:00 a.m. when I check my work email. Then, at 7:45 a.m., I teach my first virtual class of the day. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. is my planning time with my third-grade team. We'll evaluate data, prep, and plan. After that, I teach two more virtual classes. I have two hours in the afternoon to connect with students and families one-on-one. Then, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., I allow time for my Teacher of the Year work and planning.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

My advice for new teachers is to understand that your year is going to be difficult and that's okay. What you learn in college is not completely reflective of what your career as a teacher will look like. Be open to failing because it happens sometimes. Just roll with it, shake it off, and get back in the game. If teaching truly is your passion and calling, you'll be just fine.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Elementary Education and Teaching

    Arizona State University

  • Graduate Degree

    Education, General

    Grand Canyon University

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    I was raised on the Navajo Reservation in Tuba City, Arizona.

  • 2.

    Growing up, my parents didn’t speak the Navajo language to us because they were trying to adhere to the school system, which wanted everyone to conform and exclusively speak English.

  • 3.

    I didn’t initially plan to become a teacher—I originally went into college thinking I’d become an attorney.

  • 4.

    When my daughter was born and I became a single mom, I decided to pursue my backup plan and become a teacher.

  • 5.

    Within a few years of teaching, I had developed a passion for it and knew that it was my calling.

  • 6.

    In 16 years of teaching on the Salt River Indian Reservation, I’ve been focused on positively impacting and showing representation for Indigenous students and our community and culture.

  • 7.

    I was honored as the 2020 Arizona Teacher of the Year—I’m the first Indigenous woman to hold this space in the history of the award.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Myself:

    I failed my interview for Teacher of the Year. I'm not going to get it. Indigenous people don't hold those spaces.

  • How I responded:

    After applying for Teacher of the Year, I was sure that I failed the interview. It a very intense interview and I didn't think I even had a chance because indigenous people aren't recognized in these spaces. I ended up winning! My school held an assembly for me the next day and a young Navajo student said to me, "You're just like me." That was the moment I realized the impact I could make in this space and I knew that all of the turmoil and doubt during the interview process was worth it.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • My partner left the relationship immediately after I became pregnant. As a single mom, I was going to do everything in my power to make a good life for my child. I decided to pursue teaching, which was my backup plan, and it ended up all working out.

  • I almost quit during my first year of teaching. I had a difficult student, a lot of work, and no help. After some encouragement, I realized that I could make a difference if I just stay and persevere. If I leave these kids, who's going to help them?