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 Amelia
    Amelia Sanchez Principal Send message » 623-707-1100

    Education
    BS Elementary Education, Grand Canyon University

    Experience
    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.

    Amelia Sanchez

Office Staff

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Sixth Grade

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  • Appiah Johnson
    Johnson Appiah Send message » 623-707-1132

    Education
    BSc. Biological Science Education

    Experience
    Professional Science teacher since 2013.

    Why I Teach
    Teaching gives me a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. It provides the opportunity to nurture and provide guidance for young ones to fully develop their potential and realize their dreams. I am always delighted to help students to achieve their goals, become independent, and develop critical thinking skills to solve numerous problems in our society.

     

    Johnson Appiah
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  • Banuelos Lory
    Lory Banuelos Language Arts Send message » 623-707-1125

    Education
    BS in Psychology - GCU, Secondary Education - GCU

    Experience
    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.

    Lory Banuelos
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  • Caro Edward
    Edward Caro Social Studies Send message » 623-707-1123

    Education
    BA Education - University of Arizona

    Experience
    10 years, nine with FESD

    Why 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.

    Edward Caro
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  • Gonzales Ismael
    Ismael Gonzales Math Send message » 623-707-1124

    Education
    MA Teaching

    Experience
    10+ Years

    Why 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.

    Ismael Gonzales
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  • Irby Janice
    Janice Irby Science Send message » 623-707-1131

    Education
    MA Elementary Education
    Science, ESL, Reading, and Middle School Endorsements

    Experience
    25+ years teaching six-grade science at SMMS!

    Why 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 to our society, but who thrive and lead the next generation as well. The influences children have are not always conducive and supportive of education. Making sure school is a fun, safe, and a 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.

    Janice Irby
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  • Jelani Kamila
    Kamila Jelani Social Studies Send message » 623-707-1130

    Education
    BA History, MEd Secondary Education

    Experience
    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.

    Kamila Jelani

Seventh Grade

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  • Nance Helen
    Helen Nance Science Send message » 623-707-1077

    Education
    BS in Elementary Education
    Minor in Library Science and Reading
    Endorsement in ESL
    Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision 

    Experience
    35+ years in education
    22+ at Santa Maria Middle School

    Why I Teach
    There's no place like middle school. Every day is a new adventure in the classroom with students who still like to act like younger children and at the same time want their adult-like independence. Spending the day with middle schoolers involves building relationships in quirky ways, having light-bulb moments of learning amid epic failures in trial and error. They wear their emotions on their sleeve and appreciate supportive adult guidance. They love to derail a lesson to be silly for a bit and can be serious when that's what we need to be. Watching middle school students' growth in three years - physically, academically, and socially - reminds me of the tremendous growth from birth to age three. Don't blink or you'll miss something really special. There's nothing quite like it, and I wouldn't trade working in middle school for any other level, not even on the days when they make me a little crazy. It's been my home for over 22 years, and I love it.

     

    Helen Nance
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  • Orton Nicole
    Nicole Orton Language Arts Send message » 623-707-1078

    Education
    BA Elementary Education

    Experience
    10 years in seventh grade at SMMS

    Why 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.

    Nicole Orton
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  • DePuy Charlie
    Charlie DePuy Science Send message » 623-707-1079

    Education: 
    Bachelor of Science in Biology, Arizona State University

    Experience: 
    5 years experience as the Curator of Reptiles/ Programming Director at Butterfly Wonderland. 10+ years Tennis/ Pickleball Coach at Lifetime Fitness.

    Why I teach:
    Teaching is something that feels very natural to me. I find myself enjoying seeing young people succeed to meet a goal. As a coach, I appreciate the struggle of defeat, being the motivation leading to the overjoy of victory, which is the mindset I bring into my classroom. Growth is the key for both teaching and coaching, and I enjoy providing an enthusiastic and positive environment to cultivate that growth in our students.

    Charlie DePuy
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  • Hutcheson Tristan
    Tristan Hutcheson Math Send message » 623-707-1074

    Education
    BA Elementary Education - Arizona State University

    Experience
    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.

    Tristan Hutcheson
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  • Jimenez Juan
    Juan Jimenez Social Studies Send message » 623-707-1094

    Education
    MA Special Education

    Experience
    Four years

    Why 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.

    Juan Jimenez
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  • Repal Cleo
    Cleo Repal Language Arts Send message » 623-707-1076

    Education:
    Bachelor in Elementary Education Major in General Education (Philippine Normal University-National Center for Teacher Education)

    Experience:
    I have been in the profession for more than 6 years.

    Why do I teach?
    Teaching is my passion. It's the fire within me that drives me to educate, inspire, and guide young minds to become the best versions of themselves. As a teacher, I find immense fulfillment in knowing that I have a crucial role in helping them achieve their full potential, one step at a time.

    Cleo Repal

Eighth Grade

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  • Boladas Angelica
    Angelica Boladas Science Send message » 623-707-1092

    Education
    BS Elementary Education, Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan

    Experience
    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. 

    Angelica Boladas
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  • Serra-Labrador Ma. Albina A.
    Ma. Albina A. Serra-Labrador Language Arts Send message » 623-707-1072

    Education
    Bachelor of Secondary Education (Philippine Normal University-National Center for Teacher Education)
    MA in Social Studies (University of St. La Salle)
    MA in Sociology-CAR (Silliman University)

    Experience
    I have been in the profession for more than a decade teaching in middle school up to college.

    Why do I teach?
    I have always believed that education is the great equalizer. Hence, I teach. Providing students the opportunity to hone their skills and character is equivalent to ensuring that they will be the best version of themselves and of course, functional citizens of the country.

    Albina Serra-Labrador
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  • Willow Caleb
    Caleb Willow Language Arts Send message » 623-707-1070

    Education
    Bachelor of English - ASU

    Experience
    Began teaching in 2019
    Certified Yoga Instructor, 2012

    Why 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.

    Caleb Willow
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  • Yanez Karen
    Karen Yanez Math Send message » 623-707-1064

    Education
    BA - Arizona State University

    Experience
    Four years teaching, three years at SMMS

    Why 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.

    Karen Yanez

Educational Resource Teachers

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  • Comandini Lindsey
    Lindsey Comandini Reading Interventionist Send message » 623-707-1066

    Education
    BA English Education - University of Arizona, MA Curriculum & Instruction - Arizona State University

    Experience
    21 years teaching experience

    Why 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.

    Lindsey Comandini
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  • Padilla Lisa
    Lisa Padilla Math Interventionist Send message » 623-707-1087

    Education
    BA Education, MS Education, National Board Certified Teacher

    Experience
    18 years

    Why 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.

    Lisa Padilla

Exploratory

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  • Contreras Renee
    Renee Contreras PE Send message » 623-707-1099

    Education
    Texas A&M International University

    Experience
    Three years

    Why 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.  

    Renee Contreras
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  • Harrison Jay
    Jay 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 University

    Experience
    10 years

    Why 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.

    Jay Harrison
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  • Yanez Xavier
    Xavier Yanez Band Send message » 623-707-1096

    Education
    BA Music Education

    Experience
    20 years

    Why 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.

    Xavier Yanez

Special Education

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  • Bourgeois-Horne Nicole
    Nicole Bourgeois-Horne Self-Contained Send message » 623-707-1121

    Education
    BA Special Education, EdM Instructional Technology, National Board Certified in Exceptional Needs

    Experience
    29 years

    Why 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.

    Nicole Bourgeois-Horne

Custodial Staff

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Cafeteria Staff

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