What is your education background?

I began teaching in 1994 in the Tempe Elementary School District. I primarily taught grades 3, 4, and 5 as well as spent 4 years as a Title I Reading Interventionist and Literacy Coach. Beginning in 2011-12, I began my career in Administration as the Assistant Principal at Power Ranch and was there for just over two school years before serving as the Assistant Principal at HTA for one year and then the Principal for the past 10.

What are some of your key priorities as principal?

To create a culture and community of learning. Our teachers and students are the best and it shows that they truly care about one another. You can feel that special feeling as soon as you set foot on campus.

Is there a program or initiative at your school you are particularly proud of?

We are a school of choice for our community. We have traditional programming that sets us apart, all while proudly being a HUSD neighborhood school. We also attract students from all across the southeast valley who open enroll to our school community.

What is your philosophy when it comes to working with parents and students?

Fairness, transparency, and accountability. We partner with our students and their parents to achieve a common goal. Parents are partners with us throughout this entire process and our community involvement is excellent.

How has the previous bond/override investments helped your school?

The previous bond/overrides have assisted HTA with preserving our wonderful, original building and center of Higley District.

How do you emphasize character as part of the overall education being offered?

At HTA, our students employ the tenants of R.A.I.S.E. (Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Safety, and Excellence). We celebrate students each week and then monthly based on teacher nomination. We also include our staff in those monthly celebrations. Our students understand how to be a respectful and compassionate part of our school community and show it each and every day. It just takes a couple minutes walking through the breezeways of our campus to see this in action.

What is one thing that stands out to you about the Higley Unified School District?

HUSD really takes care of the ones who call this place home. From our Superintendent to the staff at each of the sites, we truly are a family who have a common goal of supporting students and working to achieve what we believe is a "Portrait of a Graduate" each and every day.

What is one thing you wish more members of the community knew about your school?

What amazing staff and teachers we have here! I feel like word of mouth and the testimony of people who have had actual authentic experiences with our staff here are the best ones to tell that story.

How has your school embraced Higley Unified Strategic Plan specifically the #higleyhelps challenge?

We have a staff member who is passionate on finding ways to connect with the community and is eager to share the way that our reciprocal relationship with others.