SMMS Staff
At Santa Maria Middle School, our caring, compassionate, highly qualified teachers and our experienced support staff are committed to providing an outstanding middle school experience for your child and to helping our students achieve to the best of their ability.
Administration
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Sanchez AmeliaAmelia Sanchez Principal Send message » 623-707-1100
Education
BS Elementary Education, Grand Canyon UniversityExperience
Ten years in education. I taught sixth grade ELA for four years and have worked with middle school students for nine years.Why I Teach
This is what I love to do. This is my passion. I enjoy building and establishing positive relationships with our students and guiding them to achieve their goals.
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Hodges JenniferJennifer Hodges Counselor Send message » 623-707-1129
Education
Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood - Early Adolescent Education with a mathematics minor from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Master of Science in Educational Psychology from University of Wisconsin - Madison.Experience
I have experience with teaching 4th grade as well as 6th–8th math and 6th grade ELA. I have taught 6th grade math at SMMS since moving to Arizona.Why I Teach
I teach because I believe in the importance of quality education. I believe all students deserve the right to have a quality education that affords them the opportunity to do whatever they want to do once they enter society after school. I teach because I want to help students find what they are passionate about and help them in their process to do what they want to do post school.
Office Staff
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Hernandez RachelRachel Hernandez Lunch Monitor
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Hernandez RachelRachel Hernandez Lunch Monitor
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Bishop WandaWanda Bishop Social Worker Send message »
Education
BS in Human Development & Family Studies - University of Alabama (2006)
Master of Social Work - University of Alabama (2009)Experience
I hail from the great state of Alabama. (Roll Tide!) I moved to Phoenix in 2017 as an empty nester ready to explore the next chapter of my life.Upon my initial arrival to AZ, I served as a long-term substitute and later a full-time teacher for kindergarten and second, fourth, and fifth grade. The 2022–2023 school year marked my second year serving as a school social worker.
I spent most of my professional career (12 years) working in student affairs at the University of Alabama, where I served in various capacities—the most relevant position was a student care specialist providing crisis intervention for students and their families.
Why I Teach
I believe that every child has the capacity to blossom into wonderful individuals in spite of past traumas if equipped with the right tools early on. My goal is to disrupt the discourse one student at a time with hopes of building a brighter and better tomorrow for us all.
Sixth Grade
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Banuelos LoryLory Banuelos Language Arts Send message » 623-707-1126
Education
BS in Psychology - GCU, Secondary Education - GCUExperience
The 2022–2023 school year marked my third year teaching, though my ninth year overall in Santa Maria.Why I Teach
I knew I wanted to work with kids but never knew what route my life would take. I have been working at Santa Maria for many years before I saw myself in a teaching position. I love to read and want to nurture and encourage that with my students. I also want to create a space of safety and creativity for the kids and a place where I can encourage them to be themselves.
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Caro EdwardEdward Caro Social Studies Send message » 623-707-7183
Education
BA Education - University of ArizonaExperience
10 years, nine with FESDWhy I Teach
I teach because I care about the students in our community. I want to inspire and give our students hope in my classroom. I want our students to learn that education is the key to improving the possibilities for the future. As the world becomes smaller through technology, I feel that it's important for the younger generation to become familiar with the world around them. I would like students to realize that the world, albeit different in many parts, is full of wonder and generosity that should be discovered with an open mind and heart.
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Gonzales IsmaelIsmael Gonzales Math Send message » 623-707-1080
Education
MA TeachingExperience
10+ YearsWhy I Teach
I teach so that students will not need me. My ultimate goal is to create self motivated and lifelong learners. I want my students to use all the resources and tools available to them and have the awareness to know what they do not know and learn it. Gone should be the days when the student thinks that the teacher is the only way to learn but one of many.
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Irby JaniceJanice Irby Science Send message » 623-707-1131
Education
MA Elementary EducationExperience
27 years teaching six-grade scienceWhy I Teach
Children today are living in a world of new and ever changing possibilities. I teach so I can help kids develop into adults who not only function and contribute but who thrive and lead the next generation. The influences children have are not always conducive and supportive of education. Making sure school is a fun, safe, and positive experience frees up young minds to wonder and discover the mysteries of life, which helps them grow and learn. I teach because I enjoy being with young people and helping them find the wonder in our world.
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Jelani KamilaKamila Jelani Social Studies Send message » 623-707-1128
Education
BA History, MEd Secondary EducationExperience
I have experience in teaching eighth grade and 11th grade in high school. I student taught at Granada East Elementary School.Why I Teach
I teach social studies because I want to help the next generation become culturally aware citizens. I care about our students and want to create a positive space for them to feel safe and secure while at school. I want to teach our students to be mindful and aware of how their actions influence and impact others.
Seventh Grade
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Orton NicoleNicole Orton Language Arts Send message » 623-707-1078
Education
BA Elementary EducationExperience
10 years in seventh grade at SMMSWhy I Teach
I choose to teach because as a child I struggled in elementary school, and I had a few teachers who worked with me by going above and beyond their job title to assist me. I feel like I owe it to the future to teach my students in a way those teachers taught me because their patience allowed me to become a successful student.
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Van Liew WilliamWilliam Van Liew Social Studies Send message » 623-707-1091
Education
BS Communications - Grand Canyon University, MEd Elementary Education - Grand Canyon UniversityExperience
Two years - Rancho Solano Prep (third grade), Two years - Camelback Academy (third–fifth grade), Eight years - SMMS (seventh grade)Why I Teach
My love for teaching began at a very young age due to being the oldest of six children. I started out teaching my younger siblings about sports and life. By the age of sixteen, I was coaching them in organized sports, mostly soccer, baseball, and wrestling. When my siblings grew up, I stopped coaching and was working in the restaurant business. One night, a gentleman approached me and told me I had coached his son in baseball and he had been looking for me to tell me how grateful he was for the positive impact I had on his son. As I watched him walk away, I realized what I needed to do, and the next day I enrolled in the Master of Education program at Grand Canyon University.
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Webber TheresaTheresa Webber Math Send message » 623-707-1065
Education
BS Elementary Education - Emphasis in Mathematics - Grand Canyon UniversityExperience
The fall of 2020 began my third year as a classroom teacher after two years as a substitute. During school, I worked for four years as an educational assistant in grades K through 8. Prior to that, I spent many years volunteering for local elementary schools that my nieces and nephew attended.Why I Teach
I teach because I believe all children deserve a quality education. I had a couple of incredible teachers during my education whose patience and understanding have had an effect on my life to this day. I hope to be that for my students as well.
Eighth Grade
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Boladas AngelicaAngelica Boladas Science Send message » 623-707-1092
Education
BS Elementary Education, Xavier University Ateneo de CagayanExperience
I have been teaching for 12 years. 2022–2023 is my second year of teaching at SMMS.Why I Teach
I teach because it brings joy to know that others learn from me. It gives a sense of fulfillment when they apply in real life the knowledge they acquired in school. With that, it reminds me of the crucial role that teachers play in society as persons responsible for molding the minds of learners to create a better world as they grow. For me, nothing beats the noble feeling of having changed someone positively and helped them reach their potential one day at a time.
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Hutcheson TristanTristan Hutcheson Math Send message » 623-707-1074
Education
BA Elementary Education - Arizona State UniversityExperience
I started my teaching career as an aide on the playground. I then moved into many different roles around the school I worked at, from running the computer lab to working in the classroom. After graduating college, I started as a sixth grade teacher for one year. I then came to Santa Maria Middle School where I taught seventh grade math for seven years. I've most recently been teaching eighth grade math for and Digital Media. I love doing new things and taking on new challenges every year.Why I Teach
Teaching always presents me with something new to learn or master. I'm always finding ways to improve as a teacher and new challenges to take on. Every year is a different experience with its own rewards and its own challenges.
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Stewart BillBill Stewart Social Studies Send message » 623-707-1075
Education
BS Administration, MA Education, MA Ed AdministrationExperience
I have over two decades of experience molding young minds at Santa Maria. I also taught Marines, life skills, and military skills for over a decade while in the Marine Corps.Why I Teach
I teach because, as far as I am concerned, the most valuable asset in the world is the mind of a child. I love being able to help my students learn right from wrong. Also, teaching them to evaluate the past as well as current facts to make sound decisions (true critical thinking) is the greatest feeling in the world.
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Tres JaimeJaime Tres Science Send message » 623-707-1077
Education
Master's degree in science at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, California.
Master's thesis: breeding biology of the Gila orcutti fish of the Santa Clara River in California.
Master's degree in education at Framingham State College in Massachusetts.Experience
22 years teaching middle school science, high school biology, and high school chemistry.
University teaching experience teaching general biology, zoology, geobiology, forensics entomology (all currently teaching online or in person).Why I Teach
When I was an undergraduate, I started as a student aide for a professor at the university I was studying at, and he got me in charge of lab preps and later lab teachings. I discovered that I loved teaching and have continued doing so to this day. Currently, I am a full professor at a university where I teach courses mainly online and in summer in person. I believe all students can learn and my role as a teacher is to help students learn what they need to learn.
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Willow CalebCaleb Willow ELA Send message »
Education
Bachelor of English - ASUExperience
Began teaching in 2019
Certified Yoga Instructor, 2012Why I Teach
Caleb Willow comes from a long line of educators and has been with Santa Maria since 2019 (pre-pandemic). He believes that all his students are valuable for the continued success of our society. A firm believer in peer-to-peer mediation, he manages his classroom by holding students accountable for their actions and expects that their conflicts with each other can be resolved if they learn how to communicate, apologize, and work together for future successes. Mr. Willow has managed small businesses before entering the education field, and he feels that his real-world experiences and his interactions with people from all walks of life has prepared him for working with the young adults in his classroom. He is excited to be teaching tomorrow's future.
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Yanez KarenKaren Yanez Math Send message » 623-707-1064
Education
BA - Arizona State UniversityExperience
Four years teaching, three years at SMMSWhy I Teach
I choose to teach to try to make a difference for younger generations in mathematics and try to help them gain the math skills they need in life.
Educational Resource Teachers
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Comandini LindseyLindsey Comandini Reading Interventionist Send message » 623-707-1068
Education
BA English Education - University of Arizona, MA Curriculum & Instruction - Arizona State UniversityExperience
21 years teaching experienceWhy I Teach
I teach to make a positive impact on young students' lives. I want to help young people find educational success as well as personal, later in life. I grew up in the Fowler Elementary School District, attending both Sunridge and Fowler, so I definitely wanted to teach in this district and make a difference.
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Jimenez JuanJuan Jimenez Math Interventionist Send message » 623-707-1130
Education
MA Special EducationExperience
Four yearsWhy I Teach
My goal in teaching is to lead our students into a more academic-friendly mindset. I enjoy sharing my subject knowledge and continuing the flow of information to the next generation. It's important it instill in our students the idea that learning is a cycle that repeats and must be continued.
Exploratory
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Contreras ReneeRenee Contreras PE Send message »
Education
Texas A&M International UniversityExperience
Three yearsWhy I Teach
I teach because I want to positively impact students' lives by helping them reach their fullest potential both inside and outside of the classroom. Since high school, I knew I wanted to be a PE teacher because of my passion for sports, and I wanted to be able to help shape the lives of others just like many of my past teachers have done for me.
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Harrison JayJay Harrison PE Send message » 623-707-1099
Education
MPE in Physical Education - Arizona State University
BA in Marketing with Minors in Portuguese and Economics - Utah State UniversityExperience
10 yearsWhy I Teach
Since I was a child, I loved going outside and playing sports with family and friends. That passion grew in high school and college by taking all the PE/weightlifting classes I could take and participating in competitive sports for the following reasons: for enjoyment, to get in shape, and to find respite from the difficulties of life, school, and work. Now that I am an educator, I want to help my students to understand and excel by participating in daily physical activity.
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Padilla LisaLisa Padilla Art Teacher Send message » 623-707-1076
Education
BA Education, MS Education, National Board Certified TeacherExperience
18 yearsWhy I Teach
When my son was born with special needs, I felt like I needed a career change. I wanted a profession where I was making a difference in the world. I feel that teaching is the most important job anyone can have. My hope is that I can positively impact every student that comes through my room.
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Seago DonaldDonald Seago Media Technology Send message » 623-707-1072
Education
BA Communications, Arizona State University
MEd Secondary Education - English Language ArtsExperience
This is my fifth year teaching.Why I Teach
Teaching came to me later in life, after time in the private sector. It became obvious that I would be happier working with students and preparing them for the future rather than helping the already rich accumulate more wealth. I am currently teaching 8th grade English language arts where I get to watch as students grow in their writing and be exposed to new ideas through reading. I also teach digital media which teaches cross-curricular skills for modern life and engages students in something they are interested in.
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Yanez XavierXavier Yanez Band Send message » 623-707-1096
Education
BA Music EducationExperience
20 yearsWhy I Teach
I teach because I care about children and because I want the world to be a better place. I teach to inspire, encourage, and motivate through music. It may be a cliché, but it's at the heart of why so many music educators brave the negative press—to make a difference.
Special Education
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Bourgeois-Horne NicoleNicole Bourgeois-Horne Self-Contained Send message » 623-707-1121
Education
BA Special Education, EdM Instructional Technology, National Board Certified in Exceptional NeedsExperience
29 yearsWhy I Teach
I teach because I understand the importance of an education, and I understand that education comes in all forms. A classroom that addresses all student needs is a successful teaching strategy and a win-win scenario for our learners. I know that student achievement has to include not only the school but the community as whole, and I enjoy being a part of the solution that includes education.
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Sattler LindseyLindsey Sattler Resource Send message » 623-707-1127
Education
Certificate of Education and Certificate of Special Education - University of Wisconsin-La CrosseExperience
I moved to Phoenix after I graduated college and have been teaching at Santa Maria ever since.Why I Teach
I teach because I love to help students discover their own potential. As a special education teacher, I get to help my students realize they are more than their disability and can feel good about themselves. There is nothing better than having students realize they can succeed more than they ever thought possible.
Custodial Staff
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Cafeteria Staff
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Larios MaricelaMaricela Larios Cafeteria Manager
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Acosta MilagrosMilagros Acosta Food Services
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Flores ElsiraElsira Flores Food Services
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Nunez AraselyArasely Nunez Food Services
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Trujillo ClaudiaClaudia Trujillo Food Services
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Larios MaricelaMaricela Larios Cafeteria Manager
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Acosta MilagrosMilagros Acosta Food Services
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Flores ElsiraElsira Flores Food Services
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Nunez AraselyArasely Nunez Food Services
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Trujillo ClaudiaClaudia Trujillo Food Services
