Ms. Fleming

My name is Katy Fleming and I teach all subjects to wonderful fourth graders. This is my second year as a Bulldog at Challenger. I grew up in Kuwait and attended the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Kaplan

I teach 4th grade and coach Boys' Flag Football. I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin. I enjoy reading, sports, and spending time with my dog Ozzie. This is my second year at Challenger School.

Ms. Laprade

My name is Jenna LaPrade and I love teaching 4th grade! I was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers. I went to Desert Mountain High School, where I was in the International Baccalaureate program and was a Varsity Cheerleader. I went to college at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, and majored in English and International Affairs. My favorite thing about teaching 4th grade at Challenger is laughing at the funny things my students say and do.

Ms. Moyer

Ms. Palmer

Mrs. Vicens

Ms. Duncan

Mr. Dyer

This is my 3rd year at Challenger, my second year teaching 5th grade. This is my 13th year of teaching, all in the Glendale District. I'm Spanish bilingual. I love math and science! My wife also teaches in the district, and I enjoy racquetball, hiking, biking, and MOTORCYCLING!

Ms. Hirschboeck

Ms. Kessler

Ilana Kessler was born and raised in Lexington, Massachusetts. In 2006, she received a Bachelor's Degree in International Politics from Georgetown University. This is her third year teaching 5th grade at Challenger School.

Ms. Paredes

Ms. Anderson

This is my first year at Challenger, and my first year in the teaching profession as well. I teach sixth grade Math and I enjoy exploring the world of mathematics with my students.

Mrs. Coburn

I have a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University and I have a Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. This is my 3rd year teaching and I teach Language Arts and Social Studies.

Mrs. Cromwell

My name is Mrs. Cromwell and I teach Language! and Social Studies. Last year I taught 5th grade and this year, I'm very excited to work with my same students who are now in 6th grade. I'm originally from Whiteriver, Arizona. I grew up on a reservation and I'm a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. I graduated from Dartmouth College, which is in New Hampshire with a focus in History, which is why I'm super excited to be teaching Social Studies.

Mr. Fetkenhier

Mrs. Nguyen

I have been a teacher at Challenger for 2 1/2 years. I teach sixth grade math and science. I am married and have a 14 year old daughter. I earned my Bachelor's degree from East Tennessee State University. I have also worked for the Deer Valley School District and the Tennessee School District.

Mrs. Watson

I was born and raised in California. I have three children, and two grandchildren.My grandson started 6th grade this year, and my granddaughter is starting all day kindergarten. I have been to Europe three times, and I have lived in Hong Kong for over two years. I was an aide for Pam Miller for six years, and I am starting my fourth year of teaching. This is my third year at Challenger.

Mr. Zizis

Mrs. Castro

Ms. Firth

Mr. Geeter

I received my B.S. Degree from Arizona State University. I began my teaching career 13 years ago right here at Challenger. Since then, I have received my Masters in Education from Northern Arizona State University. As a "Highly Qualified" teacher, I taught 8th Grade Math along with Math 1-2 for 10 years. I am currently in my 3rd year of teaching 7th Grade Science. I love being a teacher and in so doing, I am helping to shape the minds of the future.

Mrs. Gonzales

Mr. Hussey

Mrs. Kohnert

Ms. Dawson

Mr. Indorf

Ms. Leland

Mr. Tafoya

I began my career here at Challenger in 2000. I am originally from El Paso, Texas, where I attended and graduated from the UTEP. I have taught reading, writing, music, and my current subject is social studies.

Mr. Winemiller

Ms. Clark

I teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. This is my 3rd wonderful year at Challenger. I am from Seattle, Washington, where most of my family still lives. I love any sport, and get the joy of coaching soccer, basketball, and softball for Challenger school! This year I ran my first marathon. I love to read, cook, and go to zoos or pet stores! I am also allergic to shrimp.

Ms. Franks

Ms. King

My name is Ms. King and I am a special education teacher in the behavior transition program (BTP). I have worked with children who have learning and behavioral exceptionalities for 5 years. I have also worked in New Mexico and Georgia prior to moving to Arizona. I received my Bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in History and my Master's degree in Special Education from the University of New Mexico. I am currently completing my doctoral degree in Teacher Leadership. I look forward to the school year and all the adventures that it brings!

Mrs. Turner

Ms. Wilson

This is my 2nd year at Challenger teaching 4th-8th grade Special Education. I attended Arizona State University where I received a degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. I teach all subjects, but enjoy teaching language arts the most. In my free time I like to read, go to the movies and spend time with my dog Mr. Bennet.

Mrs. Deneault

Art

Ms. Fleming

P.E.

Ms. Jacob

P.E.

Ms. Gorzen

Librarian

Mr. Jess

I am Mr. Jess, the technology facilitator for Challenger School. After retiring from the Air Force, I went back to school and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Elementary Education. I later went back to attain my Masters Dgree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on technology. I have had the pleasure of working and educating our community's students here at Challenger since I began in 1995.

Mrs. Carmen

Mrs. Lucy

I am Mrs. Lucy. I have been working as a special needs aide since 1992. I love my job! I have enjoyed helping and teaching the children in special education. I have worked with and continue to work with awesome teachers. I love doing things for the community. I am the director of a Folklorico dance group. I also have 3 sons who I love very much. I like it here at Challenger and hope to keep working till I cant work anymore.

Mrs. Bernal

I am a native of Chicago Il. and graduated from Northeastern Illinois University. I spent my 1st three years working in the Chicago Public Schools in a Dual Language program teaching grades 4-6. I moved to Arizona in 1999 and have continued, to this day, working for GESD.

Ms. Stagner

Achievement Advisor

Mr. Benson

My name is Mr. Benson and I am the Student Advisor. I will be assisting the administration with discipline and attendance. This is my 10th year in the education field. The first 8 years of my career were as a School Counselor, with the past 2 years being a Student Advisor in the Glendale Elementary S.D. I graduated from Chapman University and before this received my B.A. from the University of Buffalo in New York. I'm glad to be at Challenger and am looking forward to meeting all the students and their families.

Mrs. Virgil

Attendance Secretary

Ms. Worley

School Secretary

Mrs. Jagodzinski

Admin Secretary

Ms. Guyer

Nurse

Ms. Crawford

Speech Pathologist

Ms. Wissel

Psychologist