Washington Elementary School District

⭐️ PRINCIPAL SPOTLIGHT ⭐️ Meet Philip Liles, principal of Mountain View School! Philip has served nearly 30 years in education. He received his education at Grand Canyon University and Chapman University. He has 14 years of experience working as a principal, including three at Mountain View. Philip said that building connections with kids and families is what he loves most about being a principal. Fun fact – Philip is a thrill seeker and enjoys scuba diving, sky diving and swimming with sharks! Thank you, Philip, for all that you do for Mountain View and the #WESDFamily! #NationalPrincipalsMonth

Awesome job, October 2024 SUPER Kids! These incredible students from Cholla Middle School, Lakeview Elementary School, Sahuaro Elementary School and Shaw Butte Elementary School were surprised by Superintendent Dr. Paul Stanton earlier today in honor of their hard work and achievements. Each SUPER Kid received a special certificate and a reward for a free pizza from Peter Piper Pizza. Congratulations to: Amani A., Isaiah G., Chloe S., Hunter S., Gianna D., Marcus G. and Danny M. at Cholla; Jediah R., Avery H., Regina A., Heela H., Kamila A., Vanessa G. and Aldrin Kurt A. at Lakeview; Alden B., Emerald N., Calleigh B., Sophia M., Grace K., Zy’Rie M., Oliver K. and Kayla A. at Sahuaro; and Weyland F., Jewel L., Marco M., Sofia P., Isaac R., Taylor L., Vincent S. and Carter F. at Shaw Butte. The #WESDFamily is so proud of them!

Way to go, October 2024 SUPER Staff! Earlier today, these amazing employees from Cholla Middle School, Lakeview Elementary School, Sahuaro Elementary School, Shaw Butte Elementary School and the WESD Administrative Center were surprised by Superintendent Dr. Paul Stanton in recognition of their contributions and dedication. Each SUPER Staff received a special certificate and a $5 Starbucks gift card, courtesy of Veregy. Congratulations to: Kierra Sewell, seventh grade math teacher and Claude Weaver, seventh and eighth grade ELL teacher at Cholla; Raquel Archuleta, third grade teacher and Ubaldo Lopez, facility manager at Lakeview; Beth Perry, kindergarten through sixth grade gifted learning center teacher and Erica Welch, first grade teacher at Sahuaro; Sabrina Perry, second grade teacher and Maritzalie Santana, office technician at Shaw Butte; and Jaimie Brown, Native American Education Program coordinator and instructional coach and Lydia Garcia, Human Resources specialist at the WESD Administrative Center. The #WESDFamily appreciates everything that they do!

⭐️ PRINCIPAL SPOTLIGHT ⭐️ Meet Christina Lee, principal of Mountain Sky Junior High School! Christina received her undergraduate degree from Bradley University and her master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. She has worked in education for 17 years and is currently serving her first year as a principal. Interacting with teachers and students is what Christina said she loves most about being a principal. Fun fact – Christina ran 40 half marathons before she turned 40! Thank you, Christina, for all that you do for Mountain Sky and the #WESDFamily! #NationalPrincipalsMonth

⭐️ PRINCIPAL SPOTLIGHT ⭐️ Meet Dawna Dohogne, principal of Moon Mountain Elementary School! Dawna earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and her graduate degree from Northern Arizona University. She has worked in education for over 30 years and has served as a principal for six years, all of them at Moon Mountain. When asked what she loves most about being a principal, Dawna said, “Every day I get to see fabulous instruction, observe students engage in their learning, and connect with our community.” Fun fact – Dawna met her husband on her third day at the University of Arizona! Thank you, Dawna, for all that you do for Moon Mountain and the #WESDFamily! #NationalPrincipalsMonth

⭐️ PRINCIPAL SPOTLIGHT ⭐️ Meet Nick Gupton, principal of Maryland School! Nick has worked in education for 37 years with 30 of them serving as a principal. He completed his education at Arizona State University. Having been the principal at his school for 10 years, Nick said working with students is the thing that he loves most about his role. Outside of school, Nick likes to cook! Thank you, Nick, for all that you do for Maryland and the #WESDFamily! #NationalPrincipalsMonth

⭐️ PRINCIPAL SPOTLIGHT ⭐️ Meet Ashanti Givens, principal of Manzanita Elementary School! Ashanti earned her degrees from Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. She has 16 years of experience working in education. Previously, she served her school as an assistant principal for several years before moving up to the role principal where she is currently serving her fifth year. When asked what she loves most about being a principal, Ashanti said, “As a principal, the best part is getting to work with amazing students, families, teachers and staff!” She added, “My favorite is seeing great teaching and students learning! I love to see our students make growth and meet their goals! Our vision is Together WE L.E.A.D - Learn, Engage, Achieve Goals, and Develop Character. I love to see our Mustangs L.E.A.D on campus and in the Manzanita community!” Fun fact – Ashanti loves to travel and has been to over 11 cities in Peru! Thank you, Ashanti, for all that you do for Manzanita and the #WESDFamily! #NationalPrincipalsMonth

⭐️ PRINCIPAL SPOTLIGHT ⭐️ Meet Tricia Heller, principal of Lookout Mountain Elementary School! Tricia has served nearly 30 years in education. She earned her undergraduate degree from Grand Canyon University and her master’s degree from Northern Arizona University. She is serving her 20th year in administration at Lookout Mountain. She was an assistant principal for two years before moving up to the role of principal. Tricia said that never having the same day twice is what she loves most about being a principal. She added, “I get to grow up with children every day.” In her free time, Tricia is currently learning how to tap dance. Thank you, Tricia, for all that you do for Lookout Mountain and the #WESDFamily! #NationalPrincipalsMonth

Oct. 14-18 is National School Lunch Week! A huge thank you to all of our hardworking nutrition services staff at our schools and the WESD Nutrition Services Department! We are so grateful for everything that they do to ensure our students receive nutritious and tasty lunch meals each day at school! #NSLW24 #WESDFamily

It’s Indigenous Peoples' Day! The WESD recognizes and celebrates the rich cultures, traditions and contributions of Indigenous peoples who have helped shape our Nation as well as the many Native American students and staff who enrich our campuses every day! #WESDFamily