What is your background in education?

I’ve been in the education field for about 18 years with experience teaching K-12 grade. On completion of my Master’s in Education with an emphasis in education leadership, I began my administrative experience at Willis Junior High School in the Chandler Unified School District. I expanded on my administrative experiences in the Osborn School District at Solano Elementary. In 2005, I learned the Riverside School District was opening a middle school. I was hired as the vice principal for Kings Ridge the first year it opened. I consider Kings Ridge "my" school and am very proud to be back as the principal.

What does a quality education mean to your faculty, students and parents?

For my faculty, that means they’re engaged with the students 100 percent of the time and providing activities in which the students are engaged mentally in their education. We are providing that in the classroom, any way we can through technology and quality learning strategies.

Quality education for my students means we leave no child behind academically, financially or emotionally. I want Kings Ridge to be able to provide music and art classes, after school programs, an outstanding athletics program, community outreach programs and a quality education that will serve as the ground work for them to go to any college or university of their choice.

Kings Ridge offers equality for the community and parents by soliciting parent involvement, comments and suggestions. Our doors are always open and welcoming for all parents.

My goal this year is to expose the 8th grade students to all the educational opportunities afforded to them. The 8th grade team and I have brought in Phoenix Union High School District, Xavier, Brophy, and some of the charter schools in the surrounding area that provide quality education and "Best" practices to speak to the students about what their future could be if they choose.

I also want students to know they aren’t limited in their careers and their futures. We want to set high standards to encourage students to achieve scholastic success that paves the way for better career opportunities and lifestyle options. We don’t have eighth grade graduations; we have eighth-grade promotions. The term "graduation" means they have come to the end of their education. We want to promote them on to higher education. We want Riverside students to go to high school and then have aspirations to go to a university.

We know in order to improve our community, it will require the full participation of the community. There is a direct relationship between parent participation and the academic success of our students. I’m seeking input and suggestions to increase our parents’ involvement with their child’s education.

What improvements have you witnessed since you became principal at King’s Ridge?

In a word: RESPECT. The graffiti and vandalism in the school and the community were huge issues. Students felt unsafe to come to school. The conditions of the school and grounds were a shamble. There’s a presence and an expectation of students’ conduct and appearance this year. So, we’ve seen positive behavior changes and now we want to see improvements in the academic and community involvement realms.