Stephanie Alexander has been with Great Hearts Anthem Archway since 2022 and quickly established herself as an essential part of the 5th grade team. She will be going to 3rd grade as a TA while she finishes her last year at NAU to get her Bachelor of Education to become a teacher. She has two daughters who started in kindergarten and 3rd grade at Great Hearts but currently attend Boulder Creek High School as a freshman and junior. She is a firm believer in Anthem Prep’s approach to a classical education and was excited to start contributing to that with the opening of our new building. Mrs. Alexander is known for her ability to make people feel calm and content simply by being around her. She brings this kindness to her students every day and helps them find the very best versions of themselves. She is incredibly organized and believes that if she is on time, she is late. Mrs. Alexander was born in Maryland and moved to Arizona at 8 years old. Prior to Anthem Prep she worked as a 911 dispatcher for the Phoenix Police department, got her EMT certification, and worked as a school Health Technician. When Mrs. Alexander is not at school she loves to hike, read, and make healthy meals, but most of all she loves to spend time with the most important people in her world, her family.
Ruth Anthony is the kindergarten through fifth grade music teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from BYU and plays the piano and clarinet. She also has 2 children that have been students at Anthem Archway and Anthem Prep for the past 13 years. This is Mrs. Anthony’s 10th year working at Great Hearts Anthem. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys hiking, exercising, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Angie Davis is currently in her third year as a kindergarten teaching assistant. She previously enjoyed volunteering a for one year at the Anthem Prep /Archway front office. Angie started her career with children working with preschoolers for several years. She worked at a mutual fund company for eight years as a supervisor. Angie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. She enjoys exercising and spending time with her husband and two kids.
Lillian Domina is currently a 4th grade Teacher Assistant at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. She has been in the educational field for 13 plus years. This begins her 4th year as a faculty member. When not spending time with her beloved fourth grade students, Ms. Domina enjoys spending time with family, especially with her first and only granddaughter.
Kristin Dumpit is currently a second-grade lead teacher at Great Hearts Anthem. This year begins Mrs. Dumpit’s 14th year as a faculty member and her 3rd year as a second-grade teacher. Mrs. Dumpit began at Archway Anthem as a 5th-grade assistant, and then became a 3rd grade co teacher. She then worked as an assistant in first grade and then later became a first-grade lead teacher. She is now settled into a second-grade lead teacher position. Mrs. Dumpit has a bachelor’s in health administration and has her Arizona state teaching certificate. Mrs. Dumpit enjoys time with her family, gardening, and completing projects around the house.
Michelle Elmer is an ESS Coordinator at Great Hearts Anthem and is beginning her eighth year with Great Hearts Schools. She has her master’s degree in special education, mild to moderate (K-12) from Arizona State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She has been an Arizona native for ten years, previously residing in Washington state where she raised four children and co-owned a business. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys traveling, walking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Mrs. Gottschalk started teaching Latin at Great Hearts Anthem Archway in 2022. She grew up in Minnesota where she attended college and law school. The Gottschalks moved to Arizona in 2013 and have not once missed the Minnesota winters. The Great Hearts curriculum, ethics, high expectations, and methodology instantly appealed to the Gottschalks for their own son. (There may have been mention of crying for days if her son did not get in during their first tour.) Happily, her son started at Anthem Archway as a kindergartener and continues now as a Prep student. Mrs. Gottschalk is grateful to be able to give back by being the Latin teacher at a school that has given so much to so many. Mrs. Gottschalk lives in Anthem and enjoys going to the movies, baking, reading, hiking, quilting, and laughing with friends and family.
Danielle Hendrickson is excited to begin her eleventh year of teaching as the K–3 Art Teacher at Great Hearts Anthem Archway. She loves inspiring young artists to explore their creativity while discovering the truth, goodness, and beauty found in art. Throughout the year, students experience a wide variety of artistic techniques and subjects, including portraits, still lifes, sculpture, perspective, and landscapes.
Mrs. Hendrickson earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New York Institute of Technology. In addition to teaching art, she serves as the Dean of Students for grades 3–5 and 504 Coordinator.
When she’s not at school, Mrs. Hendrickson enjoys spending time with her family, reading, camping, and traveling.
Teresa Kruger is the 2nd-5th grade PE teacher at Anthem Archway Classical Academy. This is Teresa’s fifth year at Anthem Archway, third year in the PE position. Teresa taught Kindergarten for 8 years and was also the director of the school before joining the Archway team. She has also taught PE/ health and subbed fulltime for a Highschool in MN. Teresa has a BA in Early Childhood along with an MA in human services. Teresa loves spending time with her husband, their three adult children, new grandbaby, dog Minne, and family back in MN where she is from. She enjoys hiking, working out, traveling, and reading.
Shannon Lozano is currently a 5th Grade Teacher at Great Hearts Anthem Archway. This is her 7th year at Great Hearts where she has also taught Latin and worked as a Math Interventionist. Mrs. Lozano has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of San Francisco and teaching credentials in Elementary Education from National University. She has 22 years of experience teaching every level from K-7. Mrs. Lozano is passionate about classical education and loves spending time with family and friends.
Ms. MacDuff is currently a third-grade teacher at Great Hearts Anthem. This year begins Ms. MacDuff’s sixth school year at Great Hearts Anthem as a teacher but 14th year as a family of the school. Ms. MacDuff has a BS degree in Criminology and a Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Education K-8 certification as well as an AZ state teaching certification with SEI and Literacy K-5 endorsements. In her free time, Ms. MacDuff loves spending time with her kids and granddaughter, drinking good coffee, traveling, and crafting.
Julie-Anna McKinnon is a first-grade lead teacher. This will be her sixth year working at Great Hearts. She has served in many different roles including a 4th grade teaching assistant, a first-grade teaching assistant, and is currently in her third year of teaching first-grade as a lead teacher! Miss McKinnon is also an alumni student as she attended Great Hearts Anthem throughout high school. She has a passion for teaching and helping students grow and learn! Her favorite subject is math but enjoys teaching all subjects! Miss McKinnon also has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University!
Shannon Miller is an ESS coordinator at Great Hearts Anthem. She is a native Phoenician and has taught valley wide for 30 years. She received her dual major bachelor’s degree in elementary education (K-8) and cross-categorical special education (K-12) with endorsements in learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. Since graduation, she has obtained a Structured English Immersion endorsement (PreK-12). She is the mother of three grown children, all of whom are Great Hearts graduates. She now enjoys her three granddaughters, hiking Arizona trails, and traveling the world.
Samantha Montemayor is a first grade Teacher Assistant at Anthem Prep and has been part of the school community for the last four years. She’s a busy mom of two boys and loves spending as much time as possible with her family. When she’s not at school, you can usually find her camping, enjoying the outdoors, or cheering on a sports game. Samantha enjoys supporting students, seeing their growth throughout the year and being part of the Great Heart Anthem family.
Stephanie Motter is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. This will be Mrs. Motter’s 12th year as a faculty member. She began her career at Anthen Archway as a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant, then moved into a Kindergarten Lead Teaching role and spent a year as the Reading Specialist. After working several years in banking and regulatory law, she found her passion for education through volunteering in her children’s classrooms. Watching her students grow in their sense of wonder and seeing that spark grow as they begin their journey with reading are among her greatest joys in teaching Kindergarten. Mrs. Motter has a Juris Doctor, Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Mrs. Motter enjoys reading, travel, and spending time with family, friends, and pets.
Mrs. Lenka Pascanu is in her ninth year as part of the ESS team at Great Hearts Anthem, and this is her eight year as an ESS Coordinator. Mrs. Pascanu has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and has completed Arizona’s special education mild-moderate disabilities certification for certified teachers’ post-degree certificate. Over the last 27 years, Mrs. Pascanu has worked in both general and special education. She enjoys working with ESS students, tailoring her instruction to meet the unique needs of her students, and watching her students’ growth not only academically, but also in their understanding of truth, beauty, and goodness.
Outside of school Mrs. Pascanu enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her husband to support their sons as they compete at the collegiate level.
Kristin Pegram is currently the Reading Interventionist for grades K-5 at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. Mrs. Pegram has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Cincinnati. She possesses a strong passion to serve others and help instill a lifetime love for learning in her students. She enjoys spending time with her family, Pilates, reading and spending time outdoors.
Sara Pinder is the supervising Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at Great Hearts Anthem. She has been practicing as an SLP for 18 years in both California and Arizona and has been a member of the Great Hearts team for the past five years. She enjoys supporting students as they grow, learn, and achieve their communication goals each year. Outside of work, she is the proud mother of two children and loves spending time with her family. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and working on a variety of creative craft projects.
Susan Spickler, M.A., NBCT, is Great Hearts Anthem’s English Language Learner Coordinator. Susan has taught English Language Learners in every year she has been in education. Guiding development in reading, writing, listening, and speaking so learners can access the core curriculum at a deeper level. Within her additional work as an IEP meeting facilitator with Key2ed, Susan shares genuine experiences and situations with her training members. With her 25 years as a Special Educator for students with multiple disabilities, she also bridges the gap between general education and specialized classes for students in self-contained and resource programs. Teaching in San Diego, Texas, and Arizona has broadened her perspective on supporting diverse students and families. Believing in the worth of every child, Susan is determined to make a difference in the students’ lives she encounters. She academically and emotionally supports families and school staff in every opportunity that is presented.
I have 2 wonderful boys. My oldest son graduated from Anthem Prep in 2023 and my youngest son is in 8th grade at Anthem Prep. Volunteering at GH Anthem in numerous roles while being a stay at home mom led to joining the team as a TA. I love assisting in every way with our 5th grade students and preparing them for their journey to middle school. It’s pure joy to see and visit with our past 5th grade graduates as the continue their journey.
Kathryn Young has been teaching art at Great Hearts Anthem since 2022 to both Archway and Prep students. Since 2025 she has been teaching art to grades 6, 7, and 8 at Anthem Prep. Originally from Maryland, she previously worked in the private sector for ten years as a graphic designer and accountant before returning to school to earn her master’s degree and teacher certification. After moving to Arizona in 2017, Kathryn taught art at a Deer Valley K-8 public school in the Anthem community. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and is a certified teacher in the state of Arizona. Outside of teaching, she loves to spend time with her husband and two children (both attending Great Hearts), travel, cook, read, and listen to music.
Brenda Mancini is currently the Lead Teacher in 3B. This is her third year at Great Hearts Anthem. She spent many years volunteering at the school before becoming part of the faculty. Mrs. Mancini has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Montclair State University. Mrs. Mancini enjoys teaching religious education classes and has done so for eight years. She also enjoys cooking, gardening, camping and spending time with her family and friends.
My name is Ms. Jacqueline James and this is my 18th year as an elementary school teacher. I was born and raised in New York. I served as a Broadcast Journalist in the United States Navy. I love being a teacher and 2nd grade is my favorite grade to teach. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Design, and in Educational Leadership. I am passionate about education and instilling a love of learning while utilizing character building utilizing our Great Hearts virtues to create leaders in and outside the classroom.
Doug Sarsany is a 5th Grade Teacher at Great Hearts Anthem Archway. This is his third year as a full-time teacher, having previously taught in a substitute teacher capacity and tutor. Prior to joining Great Hearts, he worked in consulting and derivatives trading. Mr. Sarsany has a BA in Economics from DePauw University and an MBA in Finance from The University of Chicago. He enjoys building furniture and DIY projects. When schedules permit, you can find him hiking in the Costa Rica jungles looking for monkeys and sloths.
Elle Pickering is currently the lead teacher in 2B. This is her third year at Anthem Archway, and her second year as a lead. She is a Grand Canyon University Alumni. Elle is a triplet and loves spending time with her family. She also loves fitness, pickleball, snowboarding, hiking, and traveling.
Valerie Alfaro is a Lead Third Grade Teacher at Great Hearts Anthem. Before joining the faculty, she served the school community as President of the Parent Services Organization (PSO), demonstrating her commitment to supporting students, families, and the academy.
Ms. Alfaro brings a wealth of educational experience from multiple states. Her career includes serving as an English Language Learner (ELL) Teaching Assistant with the Brentwood Union Free School District in New York, teaching kindergarten, second, fourth, and fifth grades in the Clark County School District in Nevada, and working as an ELL Instructional Coach for both the Clark County School District and the Peoria Unified School District in Arizona.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Stony Brook University and her master’s degree in Education from Dowling College. Ms. Alfaro is passionate about fostering academic excellence, supporting diverse learners, and creating a classroom environment where every student is encouraged to grow and succeed.
As the fourth and fifth-grade art teacher, Ms.Hempelman is excited to begin her second year at Great Hearts, sharing her love of creativity with her students. A graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in art, she believes every child has a unique artistic voice worth discovering. She loves helping students build confidence as they experiment, create, and express themselves through art. Outside of school, you’ll likely find her exploring nature, enjoying poetry, or trying a new recipe in the kitchen.
Bev Abbott begins her 5th year as a school counselor at Anthem Archway Anthem. She has worked as a Guidance Counselor at the high school level for seven years and ten years within the elementary school setting. She has also taught in the classroom setting for over 15 years. Ms. Abbott has a School Counseling Certificate from Ottawa University and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Northern Arizona University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, hiking, reading and being outdoors. She is excited to be a part of the Great Heart’s Family.
Born and raised in Arizona, she has spent the last eight years working in education. This will be her second year working at Great Hearts. When she’s not at work, she loves to travel, stay active, and cheer on her favorite teams at baseball games. She enjoys building connections and supporting students in their academic journey.
Helen Paulis is currently a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant who began her journey with Anthem Archway August of 2025. Previously, she was the Manager of Operations for a local small business here in Anthem.
Mrs. Paulis has lived in Anthem since March of 2007 and has loved being part of such a special community. Born and raised in Southern California, she has a deep love for the beach, and a great sunset paired with a good book.
In her free time, Mrs. Paulis enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, being outdoors and a great Sunday Service full of worship.
Jordyn Emert, BSN RN is a registered nurse with ten years of pediatric experience. This is her second year caring for Great Hearts Anthem students. Previously, Nurse Emert worked at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, specializing in cleft, craniofacial, and neurosurgery. Nurse Emert is passionate about helping students establish healthy habits and empowering them to manage their care for both acute and chronic conditions.
In her spare time, Nurse Emert enjoys exploring internationally, running marathons, reading until she falls asleep, and spending time with her family and two goldendoodles.
Kathy is an ESS Assistant, & also a lead teacher in Atheneaum. This will be her 4th year with Great Hearts Anthem. Her favorite part of working with children are their hugs, & smiles from their accomplishments!
Kathy has a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Journalism & minors in Psychology & Archaeology from Colo. State University. Her passions are the Bible, volunteering at a pregnancy center, reading & collecting books, road trips, music/concerts, Formula 1 racing, Native American & Western culture, making Greek food (her ethnicity), & her family of course – her husband of over 40 years, 2 children & 4 grandchildren.
Janet Helms is a 4th Grade Teacher Assistant at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and is in her 2nd year as a faculty member. Mrs. Helms finds great joy in supporting and encouraging her beloved 4th grade students. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their children, watching movies, and cheering at her children’s baseball ,softball and volleyball games.
Katherine Liek is in her first year of teaching kindergarten at Great Hearts, bringing over eleven years of experience teaching Kindergarten and Pre-K. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Northern Arizona University. A Wisconsin native, she now enjoys exploring Arizona’s natural beauty with her husband, son, and playful pug.
Christina lives in Anthem with her husband and four boys, two of which attend Great Hearts Anthem. Originally from Tucson, she grew up in the valley and loves to explore the state of Arizona. Christina loves working at the school and having the opportunity to get to know all the families. While her background is in hospitality, she has enjoyed the transition into working for the school and is excited for this school year. On the weekends, she enjoys watching her boys play soccer, tennis or the piano.
Matt is in his second year at Archway Anthem, serving in a unique dual role as the K–1 Physical Education teacher and a K–1 ESS support team member. He is also proud to be an uncle to an Archway student, which makes being part of the school community especially meaningful to him. Matt loves helping students build confidence through movement, encouragement, and strong relationships, and his goal is to create an environment where every student feels supported, included, and excited to grow. He previously earned his Personal Training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from SUNY Oswego. His strong passion for mental health inspired a career switch into the helping professions, and he is currently completing his Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with the goal of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). He also holds various mental health certifications, including Mental Health First Aid and QPR training. Outside of school, Matt enjoys classic cinema, painting and other art, music, staying active, golfing, fishing, and playing guitar. He enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, Jazzy, and their pets, Basil and Kiki.
My name is Unity and I recently graduated from the University of Washington and moved to Arizona to continue my teaching journey with Great Hearts. I have taught kindergarten, 2nd grade, and now 1st with my previous school being Great Hearts Roosevelt. I enjoy hiking, building community, and creating meaningful connections with students and families.
Mrs. Harper is a Kindergarten teacher at Great Hearts Anthem. She is passionate about building structured, engaging, and a beautiful foundation for her students. With a professional background in event management and preschool teaching, Mrs. Harper thrives on adaptability, meticulous organization, and building strong relationships with her classroom families. When she is not teaching, she loves to spend her time with her family, taking care of her seven pets, and playing board games with friends.
Ashley Simcox is a fourth-grade teacher beginning her first year at Great Hearts Anthem. She brings five years of teaching experience in both second and fourth grade. Mrs. Simcox is passionate about helping students develop a love of learning and believes every child can succeed with the right encouragement and support. As a lifelong learner, she is committed to continually growing as an educator and creating meaningful learning experiences for her students. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband and baby, watching movies, and exploring new places.
Maddi Smith is currently a 5th grade teacher at Great Hearts Anthem Archway. This will be her 7th year in the classroom and her first year at Archway Anthem. She spent her first years in education teaching at Great Hearts Archway Scottsdale in a 5th grade classroom. Mrs. Smith has her bachelors in elementary and special education. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending time with her husband and her dog Buddy.
Aubrey Pelzer is excited to begin her first year as an Exceptional Student Services Assistant at Great Hearts Anthem. Having grown up in the Anthem area, she’s especially excited to give back to the community that has always been home.
In her free time, Aubrey enjoys spending time with her rescue dog, Bentlee, trying new restaurants, and relaxing with painting, coloring, or scrapbooking.
She enjoys working one-on-one with students and is excited to support them as they grow in confidence throughout the school year. Aubrey hopes to be one of the many adults her students know they can always count on. She looks forward to celebrating their growth, cheering them on, and helping make this school year one they’ll remember.
Rebecca Okken
5C, Teacher Assistant
Jill Fortune is excited to begin her first year as an Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Teacher Assistant at Great Hearts Anthem. She earned her Bachelors in Sociology and Anthropology from Lemoyne College in Syracuse, New York. Originally from Cooperstown, New York, Jill moved to Arizona in 2008 and has proudly called Anthem home ever since.
Before joining Great Hearts, Jill worked in social services, providing crisis response and behavioral health support throughout the community.
Outside of school, Jill enjoys spending time with her husband, their two boys, and their dog. She also enjoys coaching youth soccer, staying active outdoors, and serving in her church. Jill is grateful to be part of the Great Hearts community and looks forward to supporting students and families throughout the school year.
Jessica Johnson is a CNA with almost 3 years of experience working with both pediatrics and adults. Jessica spent a year in the PICU at Phoenix Children’s before coming to Great Hearts. Jessica started with Great Hearts in December of 2025 as a Health Assistant covering 5 campuses and is joining Anthem as of this year.
In Jessica’s spare time she enjoys gardening with her daughter, going to the movies, going on hikes, and traveling with her family. She also has 3 dogs, Odin, Freyja and Atlas.
Erica Johnson began her career in journalism before transitioning into marketing and communications, where she spent 15 years serving the education and healthcare sectors. Most recently, she launched her own consulting business, working independently with a variety of clients, before accepting the opportunity to join Great Hearts Anthem as the Family Giving and Community Engagement Officer. Erica holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree from Benedictine University.
In addition to being a staff member, Erica is also a proud Great Hearts parent. Her daughter Ruby is a member of the Class of 2038, and Sloan, who will be Class of 2041, is eager to join her mom and sister on campus. Erica and her husband, Jason, also have an older daughter, Kamille, who recently moved to Denver for her first job after graduating from ASU. In her free time, Erica enjoys reading, camping with family and friends, serving her church community and exploring trails in her husband’s Jeep.
Erica is excited to serve the Great Hearts Anthem community by helping raise funds that support an exceptional education – one that shapes not only students’ minds, but also their hearts. Go Eagles!
This is Serena Singh’s first year at Great Hearts, after most recently serving as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Deer Valley Unified School District. She brings over 15 years of experience working with children and families in a variety of settings, including schools, outpatient clinics, medical settings, home health, and teletherapy.
Ms. Singh earned both a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arizona. She also received her Master of Science in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2011.
As both a speech-language pathologist and a Great Hearts parent, Ms. Singh values partnering with teachers and families to help students become confident communicators and reach their full potential. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her son, exploring nature, and traveling.
Heather is excited to begin her second year at Great Hearts Anthem as an ESS Teaching Assistant. She loves supporting students as they grow in confidence, discover their strengths, and experience success both inside and outside the classroom. One of her favorite parts of working in ESS is building meaningful relationships with students and helping each child feel supported, encouraged, and valued.
As both a staff member and a Great Hearts parent, Heather has a special appreciation for the strong sense of community at Anthem and the school’s commitment to developing the whole child. She is grateful to be part of a school community that has become such an important part of her family’s life.
Outside of school, Heather’s greatest joy is being a mom to her three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, cheering her kids on in their activities, and making memories together.
