Meet Mrs. Cancio!

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I'm Jessie Cancio and I am an elementary art teacher in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona! I have been teaching art for over ten years and finally landed my dream job at my dream school in 2016 when I moved here from Ohio with my husband and our pets! I currently teach K-6 at Pinnacle Peak Preparatory in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. I earned my Master's Degree in Art Education in 2011, a reading endorsement in 2013, and I continue to be a life-long learner to this day. 

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I have always known I wanted to be a teacher since I was little and I've always had a love for art - so becoming an art teacher was a perfect fit! I love seeing my students get excited about learning and creating. There is something so pure about a child's art and I love helping them reach their full potential as artists. Even more important than being a successful artist, I want my kiddos to ENJOY the experience! It's not always about the outcome, sometimes it's about how we get there. 

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Although I enjoy all mediums, my favorites include painting and digital photography. Watercolor or acrylic... if you put a paintbrush in my hand - I will paint! There's something magical about creating something out of nothing, and I hope to pass that feeling on to my students. I also love digital photography and just purchased a new mirrorless Sony camera - a fairly new technology! (I'm a HUGE technology junkie! Which is probably why I'm such a big STEAM advocate!)

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I am also a HUGE animal lover and any time I get a spare minute I love to ride my horse Trudy! When I'm not at school or the barn I love to spend time with my family - my husband Payton, our two dogs Cubbie & Wrigley, and our newest addition Jett. I am a huge sports fan and you'll always find me cheering for THE Ohio State Buckeyes, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cubs.

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My wish is for everyone to experience their version of their dream job! When we were moving from Ohio to Scottsdale I had no idea what kind of school I would end up in. I was meant to be a teacher at PPP and I LOVE coming to work every day! I have coworkers who are my best friends, students that I absolutely adore, and an incredibly supportive PTO and group of parents! Plus, I get to create art all day!!