Antonia “Toni” Valenzuela Campoy was born in “La Cuarenta”, or “the 40” in Spanish, which refers to the 40-acre homestead site granted to the Yaquis in 1914 in Guadalupe. She previously served on the Guadalupe Town Council, Guadalupe Yaqui Cultural Organization, and the Guadalupe Centro de Amistad board. Toni holds the associate degree from Mesa Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies from ASU. She is a two-time recipient of the Tempe District’s Impact Award, which acknowledges her work with Yaqui and indigenous students while improving their academic achievements and increasing parent involvement. For 17 years Toni began teaching Yaqui History and Culture class to students at South Mountain Community College. Her tri-lingual skills: English, Yaqui, and Spanish, are the key to her success with pupils in the Tempe and Guadalupe public schools. Toni served on the Yaqui Tribal Council and helped improve better working relationships with the Tempe City Council in helping attain the goals and achievements of the two cities. Their shared relationship promoted improvements in housing and health services for Guadalupe-Tempe families and seniors. As a career educator for over 56 years, Toni used the academic training acquired in the Tempe Elementary School District, Mesa Community College, South Mountain Community College and Arizona State University in the areas of elementary education, curriculum development, Yaqui history, culture, and language. She has won numerous honors and awards for her teaching efforts and improving the academic achievement of Native American students.
2026 Tempe Legend – Antonia “Toni” Valenzuela Campoy
