We are proud to announce that Jocelyn Jimenez Smerz, the new STEM Integration Specialist at Manzanita Elementary School, has been selected to participate in the prestigious White House Historical Association’s Teacher Institute in Washington, D.C..
Taking place from now until July 11, this immersive program includes exclusive access to the White House and Blair House, hands-on sessions with renowned historians, and insights from former White House staff. As one of only six Master Teachers chosen nationwide for 2025, Mrs. Smerz will also mentor fellow educators and share innovative classroom strategies.
Mrs. Smerz has been at the heart of Tucson’s educational community for two decades, most recently as a beloved 5th grade teacher at Canyon View Elementary School. Throughout her career, she has inspired students through hands-on science experiments, engineering projects, and the integration of local Arizona and U.S. history, helping CFSD students understand their place in both our community and the wider world.
Known for creating inquiry-driven classrooms, Mrs. Smerz believes deeply in the power of cross-curricular learning, critical thinking, and meeting each student where they are. Her twenty years of experience are marked by her continued innovation in the classroom.
We are incredibly proud to see Mrs. Smerz representing CFSD on the national stage and continuing to lead the way in education.

Media coverage:
Tucson educator selected for White House Historical Association Institute
White House History Teacher Institute