Walking Through Time: A Celebration of Tempe Elementary’s Enduring Spirit

At Tempe Elementary Schools, history isn’t something stored away in dusty archives. It’s a living narrative that continues to evolve.

Now, thanks to a dedicated effort led by longtime district employee and alumna Amy Garza, that story has come to life through the Hallway History installation at the Sanchez Administration Building.

Two years in the making, the exhibit wraps around the first floor walls of the building and walks through the 15-decade long history of the District, from 1874 to today. Marking milestones, unearthing little known facts, and highlighting the people behind the district’s longevity, the installation gives a glimpse into what makes the district so special.

For Garza, who attended Meyer, Bustoz, and Connolly schools before beginning her 35-year career in the district, the project was deeply personal. “There are so many individuals who have dedicated their lives to this district,” she says. “It’s a family here, and that’s what makes Tempe Elementary so unique.”

Through storytelling, archival photos, and an interactive map, the installation not only serves as a historical record, but also a point of connection for the thousands of members of the Tempe Elementary family. During the 150th Anniversary celebration this past April, alumni, current families, past and present staff, and community members walked through the exhibit while they shared stories and recognized familiar faces, old buildings, or moments in time that shaped their own journeys in the district. 

Garza says the experience of seeing these connections take place is one of the most rewarding aspects of the entire project. “People pointed and said, ‘That’s when I started working here!’ or ‘That’s when I was a student here.’ It made all the hard work worth it.”

She also credits her team and inspiration from museums and local archives with helping bring her vision to life. But the true reward was “Seeing people stop and read, smile, and reflect, knowing I helped make that possible.”

For Tempe Elementary Schools Superintendent Dr. James Driscoll, the exhibit celebrates the district’s esteemed history while also serving as a bridge to the future. “Our history is the foundation of who we are, and the Hallway History project brings that story to life. It honors where we've been, celebrates how far we've come, and inspires where we're going. It invites each of us to imagine the future – and to help shape the story we will one day be proud to tell.”

His words reflect the broader mission behind the project, rooting students and staff in a legacy of excellence, while inviting them to continue building it. It’s a living tribute to the values Tempe Elementary holds most dear: community, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of education.

 

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About Tempe Elementary Schools
Tempe Elementary School comprises 22 small, neighborhood elementary and middle schools in Tempe, Arizona. We Tempe Elementary is committed to  providing a welcoming, achieving, eye-opening, and future-ready preschool to 8th grade education to free the boundless potential in each child - so they are fully prepared to embrace the opportunities of tomorrow and excel for a lifetime. Learn more about Tempe Elementary Schools.