AHS Teacher Profile: Tracy Puddy

“Spunky” is a perfect word to describe Mrs. Puddy.   Students say she is upbeat and runs an amazing dance program.  She is incredibly well-loved on Arcadia’s campus, not only by students, but other teachers as well as staff and parents.  
Students are thankful that she allows them to come to the dance room during lunch to eat as well as practice dance pieces.

Mrs. Puddy just began her 4th year at Arcadia, this year teaching Dance I- V (Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop & History).  Overall, she has 13 years of experience teaching dance, and her educational background includes:

• BS and BA, Smith College
• Applied Mathematics & Dance, University of Arizona MFA
• Dance Technique & Choreography    

She has also earned numerous acknowledgements over the years, including:

• 2009 Teacher of the Year Foothills Academy CP
• 2006 Commissioned Finale Work in Dance Chicago Festival
• 2005 Guest Speaker for NDEO Conference
• 2004-2006 Giordano Master Teacher
• 2002 Performed at Kennedy Center for Chita Rivera

Busy on campus and off, Mrs. Puddy is a member of AZDEO & NDEO and also AHS’ Climate Committee; an Advisor for Teen Titans; and the Director of AHS DanceCo.   It is clear that she loves working with students, enjoying their “a-ha” moments and watching their progression throughout the year.

When asked: “What makes Mrs. Puddy a great teacher?”, a student of Mrs. Puddy’s replied, “I think Puddy has a distinguished class style that not only focuses on our improvement as dancers, but also offers a community of love and support and a place to let go.  She understands our issues and helps us forget about them for an hour. I never dread her class, which is a lot of what makes a great teacher great.”  

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD?
My son!

HOBBIES OR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WHEN NOT WORKING
Hiking, concerts, 80s dancing, listening to good music, reading, wake boarding/water sports

A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY
My parents just became grandparents for the first time and they're amazing at it. And they live in town, thank goodness.  My brother is an ER Doc in Hood River, OR and we are super close.

A RANDOM FACT ABOUT MRS. PUDDY:
I bake really great cupcakes.

Submitted Fall 2016

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