SCHS District Leadership Team

Carolyn Erdelji is the Administrator for Academic Services. She has 24 years of experience in education and received her master’s degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University in 2017. She also holds a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and a bachelor’s degree in education from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Erdelji has taught a variety of grade levels in both the elementary and middle school setting. Most recently, she served as a middle school student advisor. Throughout her career, she has helped plan and deliver a variety of professional development for both parents and staff. She has successfully completed many trainings including Conscious Discipline, PBIS, Building Trauma-Sensitive Classrooms, and Self-Harm/Suicide Prevention. She has served her schools in many capacities by being a member of several district and school committees including Conscious Discipline, school leadership teams, teacher mentor team, curriculum and standard alignment teams, and attended the Arizona School Administrators’ Summer Leadership conference. She is proud to have been a contributor to an A+ school as a lead editor and worked on a school review team with AdvancED (now Cognia).

One of Mrs. Erdelji’s favorite inspirational quotes is by Mr. Stephen Hawking: “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at."

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.”

John Sands has been the IT manager at Student Choice High School for the past five years, overseeing all technology operations within the school. With a deep passion for educational technology, he ensures that students and staff have access to reliable and secure digital resources. John manages the school’s network infrastructure, hardware, software, and cybersecurity while also providing technical support and strategic planning for future technology initiatives. His commitment to innovation and efficiency helps create a seamless learning environment, empowering both educators and students to thrive in a digitally connected world.

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.

Norma Sanchez is the data and assessment analysis coordinator and has over 25 years of experience in the education field. She received her master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Arizona State University, her bachelor’s degree of science in elementary education from Northern Arizona University, and holds the Arizona State Principal Certificate.

Mrs. Sanchez’s extensive knowledge and education spans across multiple areas in the education field, such as principal; assistant-principal; faculty supervisor; assessment coordinator; reading interventionist; instructional coach; and classroom teacher in the states of Hawaii, Texas, and Arizona. She holds endorsements in bilingual education K–12; structured English immersion (SEI) K–8; and reading specialist K–12.

Mrs. Sanchez's exemplary leadership skills, expertise in data analysis, efficient use of systems, and effective creation and implementation of new curriculums were essential in turning various failing schools into highly achieving schools. Her command of targeted instruction and closing academic gaps led to be chosen to present at the Teacher Advanced Program (TAP) National Conference. Mrs. Sanchez is a trained leader in PBIS and has effectively implemented the program in multiple schools. She has completed various trainings with the System for Teacher Advancement Program (TAP); National Institute of Excellence (NIET); Qualified Evaluator Training; Downey Walk-Throughs and Reflective Inquiry; Cognitive Coaching; WestEd Formative Assessment by Margaret Heritage; and Training CBAM (Concerns Based Adopted Model). Among her greatest accomplishments are Teacher of the Year nominee, Special Area Teacher of the Year nominee, contributions to “A” awarded schools, and creating successful partnerships amongst schools, communities, and colleges.

Mrs. Sanchez’ most admired quote is by Sydney J. Harris: “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.”

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”. 

Evelyn Ayala is currently serving as the enrollment specialist coordinator at Student Choice High School where she is now in her fifth year with the organization. She began her journey as an instructional assistant before transitioning to an administrative assistant at the Peoria Campus. Evelyn holds an associate’s degree in social science with an emphasis in sociology. She has a deep passion for helping others, which has driven her to work with children and young adults for over 17 years. 

One of Evelyn’s proudest achievements was her opportunity to work with a nonprofit organization, where she helped bring a program to at-risk Latino youth in the community. This experience fueled her commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people. 

Her passion for supporting young adults continues to grow, and she is excited to be part of an organization that prioritizes student needs, helping them not only graduate but also prepare for a brighter future. Evelyn lives by the motto: “There is no growing in a comfort zone, and no comfort in a growing zone."

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.

Throughout Dr. Sotelo’s 27+ years in educational career, she has worked in various educational settings beginning with six years of high school where she developed her love for teaching. Her greatest achievement has been the creation of the first public Montessori Adolescent Program in Arizona where she taught and directed for15 years. Subsequent to Montessori, Dr. Sotelo served as vice principal at Herrera School for Dual Language and Fine Arts for six years where she was able to share her Montessori methodologies and musical abilities with K–8 students and families. With adolescent psychology being a primary focus for her doctorate, Dr. Sotelo has been able to adapt to both traditional and non-traditional teaching methodologies. Her vast educational journey has allowed her to interact with a diverse range of young people from different backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, while creating inclusive learning environments which foster a sense of belonging and encouragement to all students to reach their full potential.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Amy Palatucci began her educational career with a strong foundation in special education. Since relocating to Arizona, she has established herself as a passionate advocate for students with diverse learning needs. Over the years, Amy has served in a variety of roles—including special education teacher, department chair, high school assistant principal, high school principal, and special education administrator—each experience deepening her commitment to student-centered learning.

Amy’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student deserves access to personalized pathways for success. In her role as principal at Coronado High School, she led a thriving team focused on instructional excellence, community partnerships, and student well-being.

Since beginning her role as principal at Student Choice High School in Tempe in 2025, Amy brings both traditional and innovative perspectives to alternative education. She is especially passionate about fostering learning environments where students feel known, empowered, and supported to achieve their academic and personal goals.

Outside of school, Amy enjoys reading, watching films, and spending time with friends. She brings warmth, professionalism, and a deep sense of purpose to every community she joins.

One of Ms. Palatucci’s favorite quotes is: “Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.”

― Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

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.”

Tim Morrison is the principal at our SCHS Yuma Campus and has been in education for 16 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in K–12 Physical Education and Health from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, in 2008. He then earned his master’s degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University in 2019. Upon graduation from college, Tim began his career at San Luis High School where he served as a teacher of physical training and education professions while also holding the positions of instructional leader and instructional coach at certain points in his stay. He taught at San Luis High School for 10 years until he accepted the position of assistant principal at Gila Ridge and then Yuma High School. Mr. Morrison has also been very active in extracurricular activities at his other schools through coaching where he was the boys varsity basketball coach at San Luis for seven seasons and most recently girls varsity basketball coach at Kofa for two seasons. In addition, Mr. Morrison’s education professions competitors can boast of numerous state champions, multiple national placers, and one national champion under his tutelage. Mr. Morrison is also an AVID certified trainer and a certified tutor for ACT training through Horizon, and looks forward to helping students achieve to their full potential.

Tracy Hanson, principal at Student Choice High School in Peoria, has served the Student Choice community since 2022 and brings over a decade of experience in education. She holds 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. In January 2025, she completed a graduate certificate in educational leadership through NAU, which led to her earning a Principal Certificate from the state of Arizona, further solidifying her path in school leadership.

Mrs. Hanson began her career as an elementary teacher before stepping into the role of reading specialist, where she launched a K–5 reading intervention program that laid the foundation for student achievement at a newly established school.

In February 2022, she joined Student Choice High School in Surprise as a student advisor. There, she developed and led a mentor program focused on strengthening relationships, boosting accountability, and supporting students on their path to graduation. Her ability to collaborate with various stakeholders helped create a supportive, student-centered culture.

Now leading the Peoria campus, Mrs. Hanson is committed to helping students thrive in nontraditional settings. Her approach to leadership blends instructional expertise with a strong belief in every student's potential. For her, this work is more than a job—it’s a calling.

She finds inspiration in the words of Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter: “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”