Superintendent’s Office

Message from Our Superintendent

Superintendent’s Message: October 2026

Dear Tolleson Union High School District Community,

This is a special time of year when the weather is changing, and the holidays are approaching fast. It feels like they are approaching even faster when Walmart has Christmas items out before our kids can decide what they want to be for Halloween. It’s probably early for thinking about why we are thankful, but September was so blessed that I just want you to see it through my eyes.

Let’s start with Commitment Day. I am sure that many of you, like me, have wished that you could just provide more opportunities for your children than you feel you had when you were growing up. Just give them a chance to show the world what they can do. That is what is at the heart of Commitment Day. The greatest compliment I hear from adults is, “I wish they were doing this when I was in school.” I often reply with, “I do too, and that’s why we are doing it for our students.” Just to walk the aisles and listen to the students so engaged with the over 165 organizations that we have brought together to help them plan their future – it’s just amazing! This year we had someone speak at our lunch and learn that was at our first-ever Commitment Day just two years ago. He shared how the day helped shape his decision and encouraged students to take full advantage of the opportunity that lay at their feet. It was a wonderful day, and I hope all students stay on track to follow through with their plans.

To provide a better education for our students tomorrow than we did yesterday, we must further develop our own skill set. That is why our all-day, all-staff Professional Development Day is vital for our future success. It is a time to see the learning continuum come full circle when the teachers have become the students. I was able to walk into classrooms where our teachers were learning more about how to use artificial intelligence in an effective and responsible manner. I walked into a class of different staff members learning how they can efficiently pull the information they need out of tables of data by using Pivot Tables and XLOOKUP formulas. In the cafeteria, it wasn’t just a grab-and-go lunch but also booths run by ASU, Estrella Mountain Community College, and several other business partners who were there to talk to staff about how they can help staff further perfect their craft. Again, the circle continues when we can see students walking the booths at Commitment Day to prepare for a brighter future and staff doing the same at the Professional Development Day. It was topped off by seeing our alumni turned business owners from Cafecito providing fresh coffee to the staff.

In a time when people are making a concerted effort to bring an end to public education, these events solidify the fact that has held true for hundreds of years – public education works. It is the only construct that ensures that every person born into this world has a true opportunity to become what they are meant to be. It will soon be publicly announced that Tolleson Union High School District is Arizona’s Newest “A” District for the first time in our history. Our students, staff, and community have been swimming upstream against every stereotype they can make about our neighborhoods and our people. In the dark ages of public education, we have proven to be the light. Beware of those who would try to convince you otherwise. Our pride in our accomplishments, our resolve to push forward, is needed now more than ever. They are scrambling to move the goalposts, initiate personal attacks, and instill doubt within our community. Rise above it. Rise above the algorithms of social media that would gladly water down any doubt by feeding articles and posts that would reinforce it. Think critically. Have you ever seen our letter grades so high? Have you ever seen our graduates so optimistic about their future? We are successful now, but I know of one district that has overcome more challenges and enjoyed greater success, and that is the district that we will be next year. One district, one path.

It is National Principals Month, so please reach out to thank your principal. Their phone rings steadily when there is a concern on campus, so let’s reenergize our school leaders by thanking them for all of their hard work throughout the year. I hope you all enjoy the weather and embrace the season of success for our district.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Calles

Jeremy Calles
Superintendent
Tolleson Union High School District