Amy Garnand leads Middle School Athletics

Middle School Athletic Director, MS P.E. & HS Women's Fitness Teacher
"Teaching kids how to be in the world but not of this world seems more important now than ever before."
 
How long have you been at PRCA? 
I've been here 8 years, including 1 year teaching PE at the Grammar School and 7 at the Upper School.

Any interesting jobs/positions you have had prior to working here that have strongly influenced you as a person and/or in your role at PRCA?
I taught 1 year in Honduras, Central America at a bilingual private school. I was a Spanish teacher and Dept. Head of Foreign Languages at Marana High School and I've been a Spanish teacher at Tombstone High School. In addition, I taught PE at Roeser K-8 and taught pre-K for 7 years at St. Andrew's. I've held head and assistant coaching positions everywhere with softball, volleyball, soccer, and track and field. Bascially, I've coached and taught in every developmental stage from pre-K to high school students.

Where did you grow up, and what is your educational background?
I grew up here in Tucson. I earned a BS from Northern Arizona University in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in PE and minor in Spanish. Next, I earned a MA from The University of Arizona in Latin American Studies, with an emphasis in Mexican history and literature.

Tell us about your family. 
I've been married to Sean for 25 years. Our two oldest children are alumni. Maddie (class of '18) is married to Eric Smith (class of '17) and they live in Phoenix. Emma (class of '21) attends Colorado Christian University. Molly is a member of the class of '23) and Henry Garnand is in the class of '27). 

What keeps you busy outside of school?
Athletics! It's our family passion and mission field. I also love to be in the gym working out, attempting to maintain my strength and mobility so I can keep up with the kids .

How do you hope to make a difference in the lives of PRCA students each year?
Overall I feel my purpose is to create a healthy environment for students to participate in sport, practice virtue, and build a Christ centered community and culture. The hope is in all we provide through competition and training, we as a community and as individuals see all of us (student athletes, coaches, teachers parents and fans) growing more towards Christ and his character.

What do you love most about Pusch Ridge Christian Academy?
That Jesus is at the heart of all we do, and the daily encouragement of working in a Christian community.

Why do you think Christian education is important for families to consider?
Two Verses come to mind. First, 1 Corinthians 13 1: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." And this, 1 John 4:16: "God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." Think that answers it. Without God everything is empty, shallow, and will come up void. I want our students to know God and choose Him so that they may have an abundant and eternal life of love and joy regardless of where this earthy life takes them.

What's one thing that makes PRCA unique?
The people; brothers and sisters in Christ who sharpen me.

What is something that most people don't know about you?
I really have no mysteries. I played the piano as a child up to age 12 and was pretty good, but it interfered with soccer so I quit. Now that my knees are shot I wish I could still play the piano!

Anything else you'd like to add? 
Our school is not just another school preparing students to someday graduate, go to college, get jobs, and retire on a golf course. We are a mission field, preparing workers for Kingdom of God now and to come. Teaching kids how to be in the world but not of this world seems more important now than ever before. It is a privilege to work and serve at PRCA.
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Grammar School (grades DK-5)

6450 N Camino Miraval, Tucson AZ 85718
Phone: 520.529.7080
School office hours: 7:45 AM - 3:30 PM

Upper School (grades 6-12)

9500 N Oracle Road, Tucson AZ 85704
Phone: 520.797.0107
School office hours: 7:50 AM - 4:15 PM

South Campus (grades K-2)

5951 S 12th Ave, Tucson AZ 85706
Phone: 520.413.7945
School office hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The mission of Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is to teach our students to become like Christ through a classical, Christian education within a covenantal community.