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Janet Chavez-Vesely
Stephanie Collins
Educators made a number of appearances on our 20 Under 40 nominations list, and one of the sterling honorees among them in Janet Chavez-Vesely. Janet works at Coconino High School as an English and Success 101 teacher. Her own career beginnings have root in her own time in high school. While she had a wonderful high school experience, she noticed that was not always the case for her peers, many of whom did not get good grades, ended up in trouble with the law or a few who became pregnant or dropped out. This really sparked her interest and desire to do something. After attending The Cesar Chavez Leadership Conference at Arizona State University as a Junior in high school, she learned fundamental qualities of true leaders and the idea that “expecting something to happen will never guarantee that it will.” “The only way to see change and make a difference is by being the change and difference,” Janet says. “I saw a problem with ‘school’ for a certain population of my peers and I knew that something needed to be done to address the needs of these students. This idea became my motivation to teach. I so urgently wanted to and still work to reach out and help the kids that have little to reach for. I had great teachers and I continue to carry our passion to reach all students in my classroom every single day.” Janet found a home for teaching at Coconino High School, which proved to be a great fit for her values and approach to education. “Our mission at Coconino High School is to strive to build upon the tradition of Panther Pride — a positive environment that honors yet unifies all cultures — and work in partnership with parents and the greater community to encourage each student in his/her pursuit of academic excellence and to instill a lifelong enthusiasm for learning,” she shares. One of the guiding ideas for her teaching is to maintain enthusiasm in the classroom and hope that enthusiasm leads to student engagement. “If you’re not passionate about your profession, you need to find something else. Much like a customer, students can sense your excitement and they in turn buy-in to whatever it is I’m ‘selling them.’”
Our 20 Under 40 collection features a number of great young professionals who have seen incredible success in the healthcare field. Among these is Stephanie Collins, a dentist with her own practice in town. The office provides comprehensive dental care and services to children and adults. These services include cleanings, fillings and crowns, tooth removal or extractions, root canals, dentures, implants and mild orthodontic cases. They also educate children and the community by participating in “Dental Day” at local elementary schools and speaking to undergraduate students at the Pre-Dental Club at Northern Arizona University. “We also set up shadowing experiences for students to come to the dental office and observe,” Stephanie says. “We volunteer at local community events including Flagstaff’s Give Kids A Smile, the NAU Hygiene Dental Programs annual Kiddie Clinic and Mission of Mercy in Central Arizona.” Stephanie moved to Flagstaff for an optional dentist residency. She later worked as an associate dentist and part-time for the NAU Dental Hygiene Program and worked full time at the Coconino County Public Health Services District Dental Clinic position as their full time dentist director. “I have always wanted to own my own practice, and I was introduced to a dentist transitioning into retirement,” she says. “I then took over his patient load and started my own practice.” Though she loves her profession, Stephanie has another exciting interest that keeps her connected to the Flagstaff area. “Rock climbing is one of my greatest passions,” she says. “My husband and I chose Flagstaff because there is endless rock climbing in northern Arizona but also in Arizona itself. It is a short driving distance from other world class climbing areas. We also wanted to find a community with potential for personal, spiritual and professional growth and a great community to live in. Flagstaff is it!” As far as her ethic, Stephanie says, “We are humans, naturally relational. Develop and strengthen your relationships with your patients and everything else will follow, your reputation, your business growth, your success.”
English Teacher/Success 101 Teacher at Coconino High School
Dentist/Business Owner at Stephanie Collins DDS PC