Nicole Buongiorno – 6^th Grade Language Arts / World Cultures

Hello, my name is Nicole D. Buongiorno, the 6th grade language arts teacher at Copper Ridge.  My teaching experiences began in dance and then branched out into other fields, like foreign language immersion.  My number one goal is to encourage enjoyment in learning, as well as help all students reach their academic potential.  Everyday, I am inspired by the unforgettable glow that our students fill the room with.  There is nothing better than the sight of knowledge brightening up our student’s life.

Karen Downs – 7^th Grade Social Studies

You can often find me in Park City, Utah ripping down a black diamond ski run, but when I am not enjoying my favorite pastime you can find me, Karen Downs, teaching in the Scottsdale School District.  I am so excited and delighted to have joined the family of educators here at Copper Ridge School for the 2009-10 school year.  I have been teaching for 22 years and I have been privileged to teach preschool, Kindergarten and grades 5th-12th in almost every subject.  I am certified by the state of Arizona in Social Studies and Language Arts.  I have also taught geography, chemistry, Earth science, biology and P.E.!  I bring all my knowledge into the classroom everyday and believe my goal is to make my students better citizens of our planet.  I am a parent to two wonderful children, my daughter Ashleigh is 20 and attends the University of Colorado seeking a nursing degree and my son Kolten is 14 and attends Explorer Middle School.  I love animals and have many.  I support many organizations that save endangered animals.  I spent two years as an administrator for a wonderful school in central Phoenix and then I decided that my real passion is to be in the classroom interacting with students making an impact on increasing global awareness towards a peaceful and productive world for a better tomorrow.  I love to teach and I bring my enthusiasm to the classroom with many hands-on projects.  I hope to have a successful year with your children and look forward to meeting all of you at the open house.

Rick Gates – First Grade Teacher

My name is Rick Gates and it is my pleasure to be teaching 1st grade here at Copper Ridge.  This begins my fifth year of teaching.  My first 4 years were at Zuni in 1st grade. Teaching is my second career.  Prior to teaching, I served as a pastor for 20 years.  I received my undergraduate degree from Georgia and a Master of Divinity from Duke University. In football season I bleed red (Go Dawgs!).  In basketball season I switch to Duke Blue.  The change from ministry to teaching has allowed me to be more active with my family, especially my two boys, Chris, in 7th grade at Desert Canyon, and Millar, a 3rd grader at Zun (oops!), I mean Redfield.  So far, I have coached soccer, baseball and basketball.  My wife, Laura, is also a teacher.  She is one of those brave souls who teaches middle school, currently in 8th grade Language Arts at Papago in the Creighton school district.  She and I both grew up in the Atlanta, Georgia area.  Our family also includes two dogs, a cat and a rabbit.  I am happy to make Copper Ridge my new teaching home.

Cathy Geary - Kindergarten

Hi everyone! My name is Cathy Geary and I am one of the new kindergarten teachers at Copper Ridge. I am not new to kindergarten, however, having taught at Zuni Elementary School for many years.  Years ago, I also taught Spanish in a middle school in Villa Park, IL.  I received my bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey and received my Masters Degree from the University of Phoenix. I am married and have 3 children who all attended Scottsdale schools. I also have a sweet miniature schnauzer named Rory Gilmore Geary. I love to travel and attend plays and concerts. I am so happy to be a member of the Copper Ridge family. Thanks for making me feel so welcome.

Derek Hummert (Mr. H) – Assistant Principal (Pre-K - 5)

I come to Copper Ridge from Cocopah Middle School where I also served as assistant principal.  I am entering my seventh year in public school administration and previously taught language arts at the middle level.  I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and completed my master’s degree from the University of Illinois.  I am originally from the St. Louis area, but I’ve also lived in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Osaka, Japan. I truly enjoy working with young people, their parents and devoted educators.  I enjoy playing the guitar, bicycle touring and photography, but my greatest passion is being a dad to my new son, David.

Rachel Lindsay - Kindergarten

Hi! My name is Rachel Lindsay and I am teaching Kindergarten at Copper Ridge this year.  I graduated from Arizona State University in May of 2008 and am currently undergoing my MeD in Early Childhood (also through ASU- go devils!)  I taught Kindergarten last year at Yavapai Elementary and was a student teacher and intern in the Kyrene School District. When I am not teaching, I enjoy traveling.  I was born in Japan and hold dual citizenship with Canada and the U.S!  Come stop by room 815 and say hello!

Cheryl Marcus – Pre-K (3 year-olds)

Hi, I’m Cheryl Marcus and I am the new Preschool (3’s) teacher here at Copper Ridge.  This is my third year teaching, my second in Preschool.  I came from Zuni last year!  I graduated with my bachelors in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University in 2007.  Outside of teaching, I have an amazing one-year-old boy, Henry and spend my extra time chasing him all over!

Steven Nagy – Occupational Therapist

I came from Desert Canyon Elementary and Middle School last year, along with Cochise Elementary and made it up the mountain to Copper Ridge for this academic school year.  I'm excited to be here and embark on student intervention which will encompass a caseload of mostly Autistic special needs students in which I embrace the opportunity.  My background is very diverse as I've worked at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea, Thompson Peak and Osborn, in the acute care setting with emphasis on functional independence, including skilled nursing at Westminster Village, Hospice and Home Health.  My educational background began with a BS from Eastern Michigan University and in Arizona I received an MA in Organizational Management followed by several years of managing in the business and healthcare worlds.  Living in Phoenix for 25 years has provided me with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the medical and business communities that are priceless as I now enjoy a more fulfilling and rewarding experience involved with the SUSD community of Special Needs Students.  One of my passions is expanding my Life experiences in the medical and educational environments attending courses then utilizing the training in daily practice with my students.  I hope to meet and speak with all whom question OT intervention with students and desire to expand their understanding and value of Occupational Therapy.  Traveling the World also has significant meaning to me as I've been to many points on the globe viewing many cultures and feeling the true diversity of the planet we all inhabit.  My number one sport is skiing for true fulfillment by the challenges of each and every run I embark upon with views from mountain tops that I can tell you are unmatched by most.  I've been very fortunate to have worked with some very brilliant minds that I have always taken something from and embrace every day going forward with total appreciation for learning and never getting enough!

Shari North – 8^th Grade Language Arts

My name is Sheri North.  I'm a second year teacher in SUSD teaching 8th grade Language Arts At Copper Ridge.  However, I am a fourteen year veteran teacher from Utah where I taught high school English and Modern Dance.  I also teach dance outside of public education.  Some of the Copper Ridge girls may already know me as a former ballet teacher at the All About Dance Studio in Scottsdale.  Aside from teaching, I am married and have two terrific kids ages 10 and 11.  They keep my life busy and interesting!  Our family enjoys all kinds of sporting activities together.  Weekends are spent riding mountain bikes, playing tennis or boating on one of our local lakes.

Dianna Oshiro – Physical Education / Health and Family Science

My name is Dianna Oshiro.  My undergrad is from ASU in communications.  My masters degree is in Education.  I have a k-12 physical education endorsement and I am a certified yoga instructor.  I am married and have three beautiful children; a daughter, the oldest, and two boys.  I started teaching in the Cave creek unified school district where I completed my internship.  In 2008 I became a 1st year teacher for the SUSD at Desert Canyon Elementary.  My hobbies are biking, hiking, yoga and sports.  The picture is of my husband Mike and I at 7 springs.  last spring.

Debra Roumas - Librarian

My name is Debra Roumas, and I am the new librarian at Copper Ridge School. I was raised in New Jersey where I attended Rutgers University. Graduating with a degree in Economics and German, I received my teaching certification from Scottsdale Community College. I feel blessed to be teaching in the impressive library at Copper Ridge this year. In my free time I hike the McDowells, craft innovative words in Scrabble, and nurture succulents in my garden. Reading children’s books is also one of my passions, and I look forward to to all the new books we will read this year.

Lisa Slovis – 6^th Grade Social Studies/Science

My Name is Lisa Slovis and will be teaching 6th grade Social Studies and Science at Copper Ridge this year. I began my teaching career in 4th grade at Anasazi in their ECSL program. I loved every minute of it, but had to quit when my Dr. put me on bed rest with my 3rd child!  As hard as it was to leave teaching I enjoyed being with my boys, Chardon who is now 20, Brenon, 18 and Kedon 8. When Kedon turned 3.5 he sat by the door every day, begging to go to school. It was earlier than I would have liked but enrolling him in a two day a week preschool gave me the opportunity to teach again. I took a part time art position at Cochise teaching Art, and have been there in both part time and full time capacities for the past 5 years, teaching both art and second grade. My children are growing up and with one at Uof A and the other off to ASU, it’s the perfect time to change paths and get back into a regular classroom again!  I am thrilled to be teaching 6th grade SS and Science at Copper Ridge! My husband teaches Math at Mountainside Middle School, so we are developing a healthy, and quite fun rivalry.  Go Trailblazers!!

Jen Stimson – 4^th Grade

My name is Jen Stimson and I teach 4th Grade at Copper Ridge. I received The Scottsdale Charros Future Teacher Scholarship upon graduating from high school, and received my BA in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona. I love to travel and was fortunate enough to travel around Italy this summer.

Sarah Torrihon – Pre-K

My name is Sarah Torrilhon. I received my BA in Education and my Mater’s in Curriculum and Instruction from ASU.  I started my teaching career in PVUSD at the same school I attended as a child.  There I taught 6^th grade for 5 years. I took a 3 year leave of absence, during which I had my two children, ages 4 and 2, developed and taught preschool reading classes from my home, and developed middle school and high school math curriculum and content for a virtual education company.  I had an opportunity with SUSD last year to help build and teach the infant program in the Child Development Center at Zuni last year.  After being RIFed, I am fortunate to have ended up here at Copper Ridge teaching Pre-K. In my spare time, I enjoy my family, reading, and surfing the web.