Welcome to Paradise!

PVSchools is excited to introduce the new administrators joining our district in time for the 2022-23 school year. These talented educators have extensive knowledge and experience that they will bring with them, not just as teachers but also as leaders within their fields. We're fortunate enough to work together, providing students with an excellent education while these dynamic individuals help lead PVSchools forward into brighter futures ahead.

District

Gifted

Karen Brown is the director of Gifted Services. She previously served as the Gifted and Accelerated Learning director at Scottsdale Unified School District. Karen joined PVSchools in 2003 as a twice-exceptional teacher, a gifted specialist, and the Gifted Program Mentor. Karen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education/Special Education from Northern Arizona University and a Master in Education in Special Education: Gifted Emphasis from Arizona State University. Karen teaches in the Gifted Education Masters’ Program at ASU and consults throughout the country. She was the recipient of the 2018 NAGC Specialist’s and Masters’ Award, co-recipient of the 2013 NAGC Professional Network Award, and the 2013 AAGT Gifted Teacher of the Year. Karen is currently the NAGC Professional Learning Network Chair. She has co-authored two books, Differentiated Lessons for Every Learner and A Teacher’s Guide to Flexible Grouping and Collaborative Learning, winning the 2019 NAGC Book of the Year Award.

Special Education

Gianna Colonna is the interim assistant director of Special Education. She joined PVSchools in 2005 and recently served as principal at Hidden Hills Elementary School. Gianna has worked as a teacher on assignment, behavior interventionist, and teacher during her career. She also served as a student study team leader, instructional leadership team member, non-violent crisis intervention trainer, and positive behavior intervention and support team leader. Gianna received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northern Arizona University, a Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University, and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from NAU.

Student Services - Secondary

Dr. Christopher Asmussen is the director of Student Services - Secondary. Since 2000, he has been employed by the Scottsdale Unified School District. He served as a principal for 16 years, an assistant principal, and a science teacher during his career. Chris earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science/International Relations from the University of Wisconsin, a Master of Arts in Education and Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Doctorate from Northern Arizona University.

CREST/STEM

Pamela Fulk is the coordinator of the Center for Research in Engineering, Science, and Technology (CREST)/STEM. She joined PVSchools in 2015 as a teacher/gifted specialist and was an instructional coach at Sunrise Middle School. Pamela earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Architecture from Arizona State University, a Post Bac Elementary Certification from Scottsdale Community College, Graduate Studies - Science Curriculum and Instruction for the University of Texas - Arlington, and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the Grand Canyon University.

Schools

Desert Shadows Middle School

Leah Knaeble is the new assistant principal of Desert Shadows Middle School. Since 2020, she has served as dean of students at Desert Shadows Middle School and Explorer Middle School. From 2015 to 2022, Leah served as the ombudsman for the Paradise Valley Education Association. She started her career in PVSchools in 2003 as a teacher. Leah earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business from Arizona State University, a Post-Bachelor of Elementary Education from Rio Salado College, a Master of Education degree in Multicultural Education, and a Master of Education Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Greenway Middle School

Jorge Ontiveros is the new principal of Greenway Middle School. Since 2020, he has served as the school's assistant principal. Jorge started his teaching career at Palomino Intermediate School in 2009. During his employment at North Canyon High School, he served as the dean of students and assistant principal. Jorge earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix and a Master's degree in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University.

Christina Lee is the new assistant Principal of Greenway Middle School. She was previously the dean of students at North Canyon High School. She began her teaching career in 2006. Christina earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in social studies and language arts from Bradley University and a Master's in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.

Hidden Hills Elementary School

Dr. Drew Davis is the new principal of Hidden Hills Elementary School. Since 2017, he has served as the assistant superintendent at Buckeye Elementary School District. Dr. Davis was previously employed in PVSchools and held several positions, including director of Student Services and principal. He began his career in 1996 as a teacher in the Scottsdale Unified School District. During his time in Scottsdale, he was a guidance counselor, assistant principal, and principal.

Horizon High School

Shelley Strohfus is the new principal of Horizon High School. She served as interim principal for part of the 2021-22 school year. Since 2014, Shelley has served as the assistant principal. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina Aiken, a Post Baccalaureate Teacher Prep Program Secondary Education from Rio Salado College, and a Master of Education in Education Leadership from Boise State University.

Ashley Kilcullen is the assistant principal of Horizon High School. She comes to PVSchools from Ferguson-Florissant School District in Missouri, where Ashley was a math instructional support leader. Ashley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of Central Missouri, a Master of Education in Educational Psychology-Character Education, and an Educational Specialist, School Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

​​Mountain Trail Middle School

Katie O'Boyle is the new assistant principal of Mountain Trail Middle School. Since the 2017-18 school year, she has been the assistant principal at Desert Shadows Middle School. Katie was employed at Scottsdale Unified School District as an assistant principal and a teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education Mathematics from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts degree in Education Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

North Canyon High School

Katie Hansen is the new assistant principal of North Canyon High School. She joins PVSchools from Scottsdale Unified School District, where Katie was employed as an assistant principal. She began her career as a teacher in the Phoenix Union High School District in 2005. Katie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies and History Education, a Master of Administration in Public Management from Northern Arizona University, and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.  

Pinnacle High School

Patrick Hurley is the new assistant principal of Pinnacle High School. Patrick previously served as the dean of students and athletic director at Pinnacle High School.

Sonoran Sky Elementary School

Michele Fowler is the new principal of Sonoran Sky Elementary School. For the 2021-22 school year, she was a teacher on assignment for Larkspur Elementary School and Sonoran Sky Elementary School. Michele joined PVSchools in 2007 as a teacher at Eagle Ridge Elementary School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Grand View University and a Master's degree in Education Administration for Grand Canyon University.

Sweetwater Community School

Marc Danner is the new principal of Sweetwater Community School. He has served as assistant principal of the school since 2019. He joined PVSchools in 2004 as a Special Education teacher and has held several positions with the district, including teacher on assignment, dean of students, and assistant principal. Marc earned a Bachelor of Arts in Cross-Categorical, Special Education from Arizona State University and a Master's degree in Education Leadership from Northern Arizona University. 

Gary Callahan is the new assistant principal of Sweetwater Community School. He was previously the assistant principal of Vista Verde Middle School. Gary began his teaching career at Desert Shadows Middle School and was the athletic director. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business from Arizona State University, a certificate from Ottawa University, and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Vista Verde Middle School

Kimberly Koda is the new assistant principal of Vista Verde Middle School. She was previously the assistant principal at Pinnacle High School. Kimberly joined the PVSchools family in 2011 as a teacher and served as dean of students. Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education Cross Categorical from the University of Arizona and a Master of Arts degree in Administrative Leadership from the Grand Canyon University.