SCHS District Leadership Team

Sandra Flood is the Administrator for Student Services. This is her twenty-seventh year in education. She spent the last five years as the principal of the Peoria Campus for Student Choice High School. She has a Master’s in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on the Principalship from Northern Arizona University. Her bachelor's in Elementary Education was received from Arizona State University, and she is a certified Principal by the Arizona Department of Education. Over the course of her career, Sandra has been a classroom teacher, student advisor, and assistant principal. For seven years before joining the Student Choice High School team, Sandra was a principal at a school that included preschool through fifth grade. Sandra has participated in many training sessions over the years, including, Kagan Cooperative Learning, Standards Mapping, Professional Learning Communities, Conscious Discipline, Building Trauma Sensitive Classrooms, and Using RTI (Response to Intervention) and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports). 

She is excited to be a part of a team of educators that are committed to doing what is best for students; and helping them reach their goals. Sandra enjoys continuing her education and learning to improve systems and the school for her students.

Katie Salch is the Administrator for Mentoring and Community Partnerships. She has 21 years of experience in education and received her master’s degree in educational administration from Arizona State University in 2009. She also holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University. She also teaches at Glendale Community College as a professor for the Science of Reading.

Mrs. Salch proudly taught various grade levels and specialty programs, including remedial reading and gifted services. Most recently, she has served as an assistant principal and curriculum coordinator implementing student-centered change based on data and community need. Mrs. Salch's educational philosophy lies in teaching the whole child. We do this in SCHS through learning about our students, creating outrageously attainable goals, and setting a path that helps them grow to fulfill their goals during high school and post-graduation. Through strategic planning, a supportive community, and caring adults, students can accomplish anything.

In the great words of Rita Pierson, an educator and administrator of 40 years: "Every child deserves a champion.”

Samantha Thompson serves as the Administrator for Leadership and Accountability and Student Choice High School’s representative for the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools. She brings a wealth of experience spanning over 22 years in the field of education. In her current role, she provides support to principals across all Student Choice locations. Samantha holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix. 

Samantha’s dedication to professional growth is evident through her completion of the National Principal Supervisory Academy by the Center for Educational Leadership in partnership with the School Superintendents Association, where she focused on mentorship and principal supervision. Her diverse background includes roles as a classroom teacher, ELL coordinator, instructional coach, AdvancED (Cognia) evaluator, and principal. Currently, she serves as a district administrator contributing to overall educational systems. 

Samantha has been an influential figure in education, presenting at national and state conferences such as the National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) and the Arizona Charter Conference. Her expertise extends to committee involvement, curriculum development, state standards, data analysis, extracurricular programs, and college and career readiness. She has undertaken various professional development programs, including training in areas such as Principal Law, Kagan Engagement Structures, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Conscious Discipline, and AdvancED (Cognia). 

Her commitment to excellence has been recognized through her leadership of an exemplary model school recognized by NAEA and contributions to an A+ school. Additionally, she received the Westside Impact Teacher of the Year award. 

Samantha’s guiding philosophy echoes Maya Angelou’s wisdom, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” 

Amy's educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can learn given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, and a committed, student-focused team. Amy joined Student Choice High School (SCHS) as the principal of the Glendale campus in 2019, following 20 years of experience in school administration, instructional coaching, classroom teaching, and curriculum writing and alignment for school districts, state departments, and national publishers. After two years, Amy accepted a position as administrator for quality programs at the SCHS district office overseeing specialized student supports such as the mentoring, social work, EL, and McKinney Vento programs before launching Student Choice's adult diploma program in 2023.

In addition to her work with adult students at Student Choice, she is an adjunct faculty member and instructional designer at Rio Salado College in the teacher certification department, supporting adult learners in their quest to become impactful, certified teachers.

Amy received her bachelor's degree in education from the State University of New York College at Cortland. Over the years, she has earned additional credentials, including a master's degree from Northern Arizona University specializing in educational counseling, an Arizona reading endorsement, Arizona k–12 principal and school counseling certificates, and a k–12 CTE teaching certificate in business and marketing.

Amy's educational experiences have allowed her to collaborate with diverse groups of people and increase student achievement and well-being. Amy is thrilled to continue to build on her experiences with Student Choice High School. Her passion is supporting students in powering through challenges, removing obstacles, and finding pathways to success. As she partners with students, she always remembers Moliere's words when he said, "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it."

Jaime Aldridge joined Student Choice High School in 2019 and is the district’s instructional specialist. She has over 23 years of experience in education, received her master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University, and also holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arizona. Jaime has enjoyed teaching middle school through post-graduate students. She has served on curriculum and assessment development teams, and she has a strong belief in every student’s capacity to learn.

Yesenia Barkley joined Student Choice High School in 2023, and is the district social worker. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Liberty University in social work and her master’s degree in social work from Howard University. She is a member of the School Social Work Association of Arizona and in her role, she supports students and staff at all Student Choice locations. Yesenia is passionate about education and social justice. She has developed and evaluated curriculums providing emotional support counseling in school-based settings and at Durango Juvenile Detention Center. She enjoys implementing strengths-based and solution-focused approaches to support student success and well-being.

Miss Barkley’s favorite quote is by Tyler Knott Gregson, “Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim”. 

Sarah Wade joined the Student Choice family in 2020 as the proud principal of the Surprise campus. She holds a Master's in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a bachelor’s in elementary education from Arizona State University. With 20 years of experience in education, Sarah has taught preschool, elementary, and high school students. Recently, she has focused on implementing professional learning communities as a district instructional coach. Sarah's dedication to supporting students and faculty has driven her to master programs and strategies that enhance student achievement. She is a certified trainer in Kagan Structures, Thinking Maps, and Write from the Beginning, enabling her to share her expertise across the campuses she serves. 

Her notable achievements include contributing to an A+ awarded school, receiving the Westside Impact Teacher of the Year Award in 2016, and being named our district's 2024 Principal of the Year. Sarah is enthusiastic about leading the Surprise campus into the 2024–2025 school year, helping students achieve their goals as they progress toward high school graduation and beyond.

One of Principal Wade's favorite quotes is by Babe Ruth: "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up."

Gerardo Huerta is currently the principal at our SCHS San Luis Campus, was the founding principal of our SCHS Yuma campus, and has been in education for over ten years. He earned his bachelor's degree in secondary education with an emphasis in English from Arizona State University in 2014. Mr. Huerta then earned his master's degree in educational administration and leadership from Grand Canyon University in 2020.

Born and raised in San Luis, Arizona, Gerardo left college to become an educator and returned to his hometown to educate future generations as an English and AVID teacher at San Luis High School.

With his passion for teaching and emphasis on relational capacity, he quickly established himself as one of the leading educators in Yuma County by earning First Year Teacher of the Year during his first year of teaching in 2015 and becoming a finalist for the Yuma County High School Teacher of the Year in 2017.

Mr. Huerta has also been heavily involved in many other endeavors, such as becoming an AVID Certified Trainer, where he provided professional development on effective and innovative teaching strategies. He also served as a data and technology coach, where he implemented his expertise in educational technology implementation to develop an engaging and rigorous 21st century-driven curriculum. From there, Mr. Huerta became a part of the SCHS Family in 2020 when he opened the Yuma campus, the first in Yuma County. Since then, SCHS has seen an exponential amount of success in providing alternative education options to students, and a second campus opened in San Luis in 2023 so that more students could take advantage of the benefits SCHS has to offer.

One of Principal Huerta's favorite quotes is by Miguel de Cervantes: "Do not stand begging for that which you have the power to earn."

Julio Martinez is the proud principal of the Kroc campus. He is especially grateful to return to Student Choice High School after a couple of years away. From 2019 to 2021, he served as the principal of the Maryvale and Maricopa campuses. This is his 29th year in education, with the last 13 years as a school administrator. He has experience working at all three levels of education: elementary, middle school, and high school. Julio earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from the University of Arizona and a master's in bilingual/multicultural education. After teaching for 15 years, he pursued a master's degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University.

Throughout his career, Julio has strived to provide students with the tools they need to succeed. Whether as a teacher or an administrator, making a difference in students' lives has always been his primary goal. He is proud to have received a leadership award from the Southwest Dyslexia Association and to have been named a turnaround principal during his time in New Mexico. There, he led a school from an F rating to an A rating within three years, thanks to the hard work of everyone involved. Since returning to Arizona in 2017, Julio has continued his work as a school principal, helping students and families receive the education they deserve. 

His goal is to help all students reach their graduation goals. If you are ready to finish what you started and become a high school graduate, visit Mr. Martinez at Student Choice High School, located inside the Kroc Center. Together, we will achieve this goal. His favorite quote is by Marianne Williamson: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us."

Tamara Yazzie brings over 20 years of dedicated education experience as a principal at Student Choice High School. Her career has been marked by a commitment to continuous learning and a passion for nurturing positive school environments where every student can thrive.

Tamara's journey in education began as a teacher, where she honed her skills in the classroom and developed a deep understanding of instructional strategies that engage and inspire students. Her transition to the roles of assistant principal and principal allowed her to further leverage her educational leadership expertise, focusing on fostering collaborative environments and promoting student achievement.

Throughout her career, Tamara has embraced a philosophy of lifelong learning, continuously seeking to enhance her knowledge and skills. She is trained in Kagan Cooperative Learning, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and Capturing Kids' Hearts—methodologies emphasizing student interaction, community building, and social-emotional learning.

Under Tamara's leadership, her previous school was recognized as a National Showcase school for Capturing Kids' Hearts for two consecutive years, a testament to her commitment to building strong relationships and creating a positive school culture. She believes deeply in building connections—with students, families, the community, and staff—to create a supportive and enriching educational environment.

Tamara Yazzie is thrilled to bring her passion for education, dedication to student success, and commitment to community engagement to Student Choice High School. She looks forward to collaborating with the entire school community to ensure every student reaches their full potential and experiences a fulfilling educational journey.

Claudia Dominguez, M.Ed., is beginning her first year as the Principal at our SCHS Tempe Campus. She is entering her thirteenth year in education, with seven of those years spent as an administrator. Claudia earned a BA in justice studies in 2008 and an MA in secondary education in 2010 from Arizona State University. Go Devils! She also recently earned a second MA in educational leadership in 2023 from Northern Arizona University.

Throughout her career, Claudia has gained experience by serving at different campuses and programs supporting young adults, including high school credit recovery, positive behavior reinforcement model development, juvenile and immigration detention education, respite care, foster care, and traditional junior high teaching. She has connected with students across the valley through her roles as an AVID instructor, history teacher, director of athletics, and varsity sports coach. Claudia enjoys community outreach and creating post-secondary opportunities for all her students. Her goal is to provide all students with equitable access to resources that will allow them to succeed beyond their secondary education experience.

As an educator and school leader, Claudia's passion has always been helping the underdog—students who need an alternative pathway to education. She believes she is only as strong as her team and loves collaborating with colleagues who share the same passion. Creating a culture of caring adults for the students will always be a main focus for any campus she serves.

Her guiding philosophy as an educator derives from those who speak up for social justice and model perseverance. Claudia is inspired by Sandra Cisneros's words: "I try to be as honest about what I see and to speak rather than to be silent, especially if it means I can save lives or serve humanity."

Lisa Meiers is the principal of Student Choice High School, Maricopa campus. She has earned a bachelor’s in science degree in chemical engineering and in secondary education mathematics and chemistry. Ms. Meiers also has a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision where she graduated at the top of her master’s degree cohort.

During her decades in high school education, Ms. Meiers has contributed to the profession in numerous ways. She has been a mentor to both first year teachers and to teachers from the Philippines. She has led professional learning communities, advance placement vertical alignment teams, and new hire orientations. Her experience in curriculum and development include working as a district common assessment writer, district book adoption committee member, grader of benchmark tests, and member of a pacing guide team. Ms. Meiers has had extensive training in blended learning classrooms, Kagan strategies, action research, and is certified in English as a second language. Her most significant distinction is having received a Fulbright teacher exchange position.

Ms. Meiers’s goal as principal of Student Choice High School, Maricopa is to work every day to support her students’ desire to graduate from high school and to prepare them for the opportunities that a diploma brings.

A quote that resonates with Ms. Meiers is by Eleanor Roosevelt, “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”

Tracy Hanson, the interim principal at Student Choice High School in Peoria, is a dedicated education professional with over a decade of service. Her academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and a master's degree in adult education and training from the University of Phoenix. She is currently enhancing her qualifications with a graduate certificate and principal certificate from Northern Arizona University, a testament to her unwavering commitment to education.

Mrs. Hanson's professional journey is a testament to her competence and experience. She began as an elementary teacher and then transitioned into the role of a reading specialist. In this capacity, she effectively developed and spearheaded a k–5 reading intervention program, establishing the fundamental groundwork for advanced reading skills at a newly established school.

In February 2022, Mrs. Hanson assumed the position of student advisor at Student Choice High School in Surprise. During her tenure, she created and managed a mentor program, a significant initiative that aimed to provide students with personalized guidance and support. This program, a testament to her exemplary leadership and organizational abilities, was specifically designed to improve mentor practice and accountability, and her collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders ensured that students met graduation requirements while fostering community engagement.

As the interim principal at Student Choice High School in Peoria, Mrs. Hanson is deeply committed to nurturing student success in non-traditional educational settings. Her extensive expertise in school administration and instructional leadership is a testament to her dedication to advancing educational outcomes and cultivating operational excellence. Mrs. Hanson's commitment to student success is not just a professional duty but a personal mission. She empowers students to shape their own futures, a reflection of her care and dedication.

Mrs. Hanson finds inspiration in a notable quote from the Harry Potter series: "It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be." – Albus Dumbledore.