Why Choose Hearn Academy?                 Gifted Program?   About our Teachers and Staff Certified Teachers - Quality teachers are essential for student and school success.  Hearn Academy selects teachers who are intelligent, hard-working, well-organized, responsible, and caring.  We expect all of our teachers meet all state certification requirements.  Many of the teachers have special training in literacy, numeracy, classroom management, the arts, music, technology, giftedness and other activities.  All teachers have their Class 1 fingerprint cards. Our staff is a complete support network, our front office personnel, administrators and para-educators strive to make Hearn Academy a staff of unity, trust and teamwork.  THE STAFF  Dr. Jane Vert Principal    Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision 1998, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ Major in School Law Minor in grant writing Principalship and Supervision Certificates (1993-present) Reading Specialist Certificate 1977 Eighth Grade, Third Grade, 1/2 Kindergarten Language Arts (Gifted) Instructor  Junior High Reading Specialist and Chapter I Instructor Supervision of student teachers and instructor of student teaching coursework. ASU West 1989-1993 Instructor of Charter Law Summer Seminar Oxford, England Elementary Art Instructor Freshman Reading Improvement Instructor and Supervisor of Reading Clinic Testing and Tutoring  Principal of Hearn Academy since 2003  Ms. Debra Hovancsek Kindergarten Teacher  B.S Ed Indiana University of Pennsylvania M. Ed Indiana University of Pennsylvania Structured English Immersion K-12 Elementary Education, K-8 Secondary Certificate 6 years teaching experience 16 years experience Childcare Center Director Ms. Luda Sebastian Kindergarten Teacher  M.A. in Elementary Education Graduated from State University of New York ESL Endorsement   Reading Specialist 25+ years Teaching Experience    Mrs. Natalie Lach Kindergarten Teacher  M.A., Elementary Education, Regis University M.S., Health Science, California State University, Northridge B.A., Radio-Tv-Film, California State University, Northridge Arizona State Teaching Certificate with SEI Endorsement  Mrs. Jennifer Turner Kindergarten Teacher  B.S. in Early Childhood Education, Arizona Sate University Arizona State Teaching Certificate with SEI endorsement Graduated Cum Laude  Ms. Jayme Mayer 1st Grade Teacher  B.A. in Early Childhood Education Graduated from ASU Taught Kindergarten at Hearn 2007/08 1st Semester Student Teaching @ Hearn Academy Began teaching in 2007 Ms. Peggy Jallad 1st Grade Teacher  M.A. Degree in Early Childhood and Reading Specialist NAU B.A. Degree in Elementary Education, University of Wyoming Odyssey of the Mind Team Coach, 3rd grade students Student Teacher for 3rd grade, Cheyenne, Wyoming Taught Conversational English in Cherkassy, Ukraine for 2 years while in the Peace Corps Taught 2nd and 3rd grade students enrolled in a gifted school, Cheyenne, Wyoming Member of Design Team, Language Arts curriculum Teacher of the Year 2005-2006 Began teaching in 1994   Ms. Chelsie Davidson 1st Grade Teacher  Elementary Education K-8 B.S.in Elementary Education Graduated from NAU Minor in Psychology Structured English Immersion Endorsement K- 12 Began teaching 2005   Mrs. Gale Partridge 2nd Grade Teacher  B.S. in Elementary Education, Grand Canyon University ESL Endorsement, Ottawa University Reading Endorsement, University of Phoenix Taught at Cartwright Elementary School for 8 years Began teaching in 1994   Mrs. Rhonda Ehnes 2nd Grade Teacher  B.S. from University of South Dakota concentrating in Math K-8 Certified 1st Grade Transition 1 Teacher, 3 years 2nd grade, 2nd/3rd Grade combination and 1st through 3rd multiage teacher, 6 years Taught Preschool for 2 years Taught K-3rd grades in one-room school for 2 years Teacher of the Year 2004-2005 Began teaching in 1987    Mrs. Melissa Shreffler 2nd Grade Teacher     B.S. in Elementary Education Minor in Art Taught 3rd Grade in Saipan Graduated from BJU  Began teaching in 2005   Mrs. Neena Bahtka    3rd Grade Teacher     B.S. in Elementary Education with Honors Distinction M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction Taught 3rd Grade in Oklahoma Began teaching in 2002   Ms. Gwen Engel 3rd Grade Teacher  B.S.  in Elementary Education - Northern Arizona University ESI Endorsment Began teaching in 2004 I coach volleyball and do after school tutoring I have worked in several capacities with children, new born to 15 years old for the past 25 years.      Mrs. Gabriela Kimball 3rd Grade Teacher  BA in Finance, University of Texas - Pan American Texas Teaching Certificate Arizona Teaching Certificate ESL certified Began teaching in 2008       Ms. Krista Kramer 4th Grade Teacher  B.A. in Elementary Education Graduated from University of Northern Iowa Minor in literacy education ESL certified Leadership Representative Yearbook Advisor Student Council Advisor Began teaching in 2007  Ms. Carmen Hitterdal 4th Grade Teacher  M.Ed Elementary Education, Northern Arizona State University 2007 BA Interpersonal Communication,Spanish Minor Bowling Green State University 2000 Arizona State Teaching Certificate with SEI Endorsement Began teaching in 2005  Mr. Joshua Kroeker  5th Grade Teacher   California Teaching Credential Arizona Certified Teacher B.A. Liberal Arts from Simpson University, CA Head Football Coach Athletic Director Director of Chess Club & K’NEX Club National Junior Honor Society member Recycling Manager Began teaching in 1995   Mr. Derek Wilber 5th Grade Teacher     Mr. Edward Traud 6th Grade Teacher  B.A. in History from Gettysburg College Masters in Secondary Education from NAU Provisional structured English immersion endorsement (k-12) Provisional Secondary Education (7-12) Boys JV Basketball Coach Began teaching in 2007   Ms. Kathy Hooker 6th Grade Teacher   M. Ed in Behavioral Disorders, University of Arizona, Tucson B.A. in Elementary Education/Special Education Professional Certificate-Arizona Basic Elementary 8 Years Gifted Teacher 8 Years Teaching 5th Grade 3 Years Special Ed administration 5 Years Teaching Middle School Language Arts at Hearn 30+ years experience teaching in Arizona schools  Ms. Sydni Fuller 6th Grade Teacher  B.S. Communications, ASU Main Certification Elementary Education K-8 Rio Salado Community College, Tempe Elementary Education K-8 Provisional SEI and English Immersion Endorsements Student Teaching at Esperanza Elementary School (3rd grade) Practicum experience at Desert Heights Elementary 1st grade. Substitute Teaching in the Deer Valley School district 3rd-8th grades  Mrs. Amy Jonas 7th/8th Grade Language Arts   Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education (B.A.E.) - Arizona State University Specialization in English Associate's Degree in Fine Arts - Paradise Valley Community College Associate's Degree in Cumulative Education - Paradise Valley Community College I have experience with the A.P. (Advanced Placement) and I.B. (International Baccalaureate) programs. Participated in the Peer Mentor Program and in the Emerging Leader's Program Arizona 7-12 (Secondary Education) Teaching Certificate from Arizona State University SEI Endorsement AEPA (Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment) 1. Professional Knowledge (Secondary Education) 2. Subject Knowledge (English) Began teaching in 2008 Mr. Alex Garmise 7th/8th Grade Math   Mr. Dan Seidman 7th/8th Grade Writing   Mr. Joseph Semien 7th/8th Grade Social Studies Masters of Arts Degree in Education - University of Phoenix Bachelors of Arts Degree in History - Arizona State University Associates of General Studies Degree - Phoenix College Certified Teacher in History Began teaching in 2000       Ms. Melissa Neal 7th/8th Grade Science  Master of Science - Biology Texas Tech University Bachelor of Science - Education Texas Tech University Secondary Certification - General Science Nursing Assistant - Dermatology Lab Research - Texas Tech Medical School Began teaching in 1984 Ms. Becki Burgesser 7th/8th Grade Writing Teacher   BA in Communications, Minor in Sociology, University of California at Davis, 2006 MA in Education, with emphasis in Secondary Languague Arts, University of Washington, 2009 Arizona State Teaching Certificate, with endorsement in Secondary Language Arts Dean's List -Graduated from UC Davis with Highest Honors 3.90 GPA in Graduate School 3+ years teaching experience Coached JV Boys' tennis Fall 2008 season         Dr. Pat Stone Support Services Director Ed.D Educational Administration and Supervision - ASU M.A. Elementary Education - ASU B.S. Child Development - Syracuse University Certifications: Elementary and Special Education, Supervisior, and Principal Have taught both elementary grades and all levels of Special Education: K-12 Author of the book, Tips from a Tutor       Mrs. Laura Forman Support Services    Graduated High School from American Overseas School of Rome B.S. in Elementary Education and minor in History from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN Presented at and attended National AOSA Conference in 1999 Attended NCSS conference 2002 Attended ACSS conference 2003 Campus Mentor in L.A. and Writer's workshop Arizona SEI endorsement   Mrs. Barbara Nelson-Brown Support Services NAU - BS Special Education Dual/Elementary ED 12/83 NAU - MA of ED Reading Specialist Endorsement 2 Years SPED Coordinator (Career Ladder) 15 Years Teaching Experience      Mrs. Julie Weimer  Reading Specialist       Northern Arizona University Graduate       B.S. in Elementary Education       Minor in Multicultural Education       M Ed. in Elementary Education       Reading Specialist Endorsement       Structured English Immersion Endorsement       Provisional Gifted Endorsement       3rd year at Hearn Academy   Ms Wendy Hagge K- 8 Spanish Teacher  B.A. Spanish with Minor in Portuguese San Diego State University Participant in Study Abroad Program in Madrid, Spain Taught Summer English Program in Marbella, Spain Sixth year teaching K-8 Spanish at Hearn Academy Avid traveler with cultural and linguistic knowledge of the following countries: Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, England, Austria, Croatia, Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong Ms. Kristina L. Paszko Music Teacher  10 years of teaching in charter, private/parochial, and public schools WI certified currently pursuing Masters of Elementary Education Worked as an adjudicator/clinician for WI School Music Association for three years and traveled statewide former Director of Fine Arts Theatre attached to High school; created working plan of operations for theatre technicians and staff members both parents are administrators with doctorates works part-time for All Saints Lutheran Church and Phoenix Children.s Choir here in the Valley    Mrs. Kimberly Pierce Physical Education Teacher  B.S. in Physical Education, Northern Arizona University Yavapai College-Associate of Continuing Studies, Prescott, AZ Elementary Physical Education Teacher, Maricopa Elementary School Girls Basketball Coach, Maricopa Middle School Flagstaff Pride Girls Basketball (AAU) Flagstaff Recreation Center, Supervised and worked with youth programs   Ms. Julie Eichner Art Teacher  B.S. and B.A. in Elementary and secondary Art Education Graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania Painter, Sculptor and Ceramicist 3rd Year at Hearn