Administration
Academy Leadership
Lisa Armstrong is the Headmaster at Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale. Before taking on the headmaster role in 2014, she was the Assistant Headmaster of ACS and was a part of the founding faculty of the school in 2011. She has been in the educational field for over 25 years as a teacher and administrator. She received a dual BS degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Development from The College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. Later, she earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University in Pennsylvania.
Eric Hull is currently the assistant headmaster at Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale. Mr. Hull is a founding faculty member. He began at ACS as a fourth-grade assistant teacher, and then moved to fourth-grade lead teacher for several years before beginning his work as the assistant headmaster.
Samantha Magary is currently the Assistant Headmaster at Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale focusing on third through fifth grade. Previous to her role in administration, Mrs. Magary taught second through sixth grade. Many of our scholars may remember her as being a third or fourth grade teacher here at ACS.
Elizabeth González is honored to be a member of the founding faculty of Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale. She spent seven years as part of the first grade team, where she began as an assistant teacher for two years, and then worked as a leader teacher, mentor teacher, and first grade team lead for five years. In 2018, Mrs. González was thrilled to transition into a new role, supporting our students, families, and faculty as Academy Dean.
Tom Jay is Academy Dean and 5th grade Latin teacher. He is a member of the founding faculty of ACS and served as 4th grade Team Leader prior to his current positions. Before joining ACS in 2011 Mr. Jay taught middle school at St. Agnes in central Phoenix. With Mr. Hull, Mr. Jay coedits Collegium, Archway Scottsdale’s faculty journal.Office Staff
Front Office Staff, Enrollment, Attendance
Lauri Benson has been at Archway Scottsdale since 2012. She loves her interactions with parents and faculty along with the fast paced environment of the front office. Prior to her time at ACS, she taught school in the Queen Creek School District and later worked at Paradise Valley Community College as the Coordinator of Student Services.
Terrie Helm is the Enrollment Coordinator at Archway Scottsdale and the parent of two children who attend Scottsdale Prep–both started at Archways Scottsdale in Kindergarten! Terrie grew up in northern Illinois where she earned her degree in Biology with an emphasis in Chemistry at Illinois State University. After moving to Arizona, Terrie worked in the semiconductor industry as a Chemist for 7 years, while ultimately obtaining a Master’s Degree in Business from Arizona State University and then a move into Inside Sales at Honeywell. She then decided to stay at home to raise her children for 10 years.
Betsy Leeuwner joined the staff at Archway Scottsdale in 2019 after serving as a volunteer and PSO Board member for several years. She has two children at Archway Scottsdale.
Diane Kar is the friendly face you see when you walk in the front door! The Kar family has had a long history with Great Hearts as a founding family of Scottsdale Preparatory Academy. She is a mother of four children, three of whom are SPA alum.Kindergarten
Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers
Lisa Permoda was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, but moved to Arizona at a very young age. Growing up, Mrs. Permoda always dreamed about becoming a teacher and making a positive impact on young children.
Lindsay Cardoso is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale. She has worked with young children for over 17 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Arizona State University in 2001 with a concentration in History and Italian.
Shannon Dunne is thrilled to be returning to Archway Scottsdale for the upcoming school year as a Kindergarten teacher. Ms. Dunne graduated from Arizona State University with honors in a degree in Elementary Education, and later received her Early Childhood endorsement while serving as an instructional aide at a private school in Scottsdale. Ms. Dunne spent the next two school years teaching in the Peoria School District; first teaching kindergarten, including the Structured English Immersion class, and later teaching first grade. After that Ms. Dunne taught Kindergarten at Maryvale Preparatory Academy for two years, and then joined the ACS team in 2016 as a Kindergarten teacher. She is very passionate about the impact that education can have on individuals and is so excited to bring that to a new school year!
Sara Moore is excited to be teaching Kindergarten at Archway Scottsdale. She grew up in Highlands Ranch, CO. Ms. Moore taught in Child Care Centers for 5 years and even spent a summer working as a Summer Safari Instructor at the Denver Zoo.
Jodi Razickas is excited to be returning as a Kindergarten assistant teacher at Archway Scottsdale. She was born in New York and moved to Arizona in 2014.
Marisa Bourdo is a native Phoenician, born and raised here in the Valley of the Sun. She now resides in Scottsdale with her two teenagers and their dog Bailey. In Ms. Bourdo’s free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, going for walks with her dog, and spending time with her two kids.
Mary Pogioli graduated from Monmouth College with a BA in Biology and Psychology, as well as a MS in Educational Psychology. She has experience working as a teacher’s assistant for undergraduate biology and psychology students in addition to experience working in a special-needs preschool classroom.
Claudia Burke is a teaching assistant in kindergarten at Archway Scottsdale. She previously worked as a special education general aide, kindergarten aide and 2nd grade para.
First Grade
Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers
Darian Williams was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona and is currently seeking her master’s degree in Elementary Education at Grand Canyon University. As a previous Pre- K teacher, Ms. Williams has had much experience working with students helping them prepare for elementary school.
Emily Butler was born and raised in Arizona, and attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. While at Hamline she played NCAA tennis all four years, and graduated in 2016 with two Bachelor of Art degrees in Communications and Elementary Education. After graduation, she student taught kindergarten and first grade at a Title 1 school in North St. Paul before relocating back to Arizona. After student teaching she received her teaching license in grades K-6 from Minnesota, as well as her license in grades 1-8 from Arizona.
Carris Doan is a lead first-grade teacher at Archway Scottsdale. She has enjoyed being a part of the Archway Scottsdale staff, and previously came from Archway North Phoenix also working on their first grade team. She graduated from Arizona Christian University. During her studies, she traveled across the world and enjoyed visiting 10 different countries.
Jenna LeVault was born and raised in Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania. She went to Grove City College and student taught in both kindergarten and fourth grade. Mrs. LeVault graduated in May of 2018 with a degree in Elementary Education, and after graduation, she moved to Arizona to join the Great Hearts staff.
Jaysen Larraza was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. Miss Larraza studied Special and Elementary Education at Northern Arizona University where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree.
Kylie Gruwell is currently an assistant teacher in the first grade. Mrs. Gruwell graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor degree in Strategic Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and a Minor in Communication Studies. She is also currently finishing her Master’s degree in Leadership studies at Grand Canyon University and will graduate this coming April of 2020.
Morgan Nelson is a 1st grade teaching assistant. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she played varsity softball and graduated with a Communication Studies major. She and her two younger sisters attended Scottsdale Prep. That positive experience influenced her to pursue a career at ACS. Ms. Nelson enjoys exercise, Dostoevsky, and country music.
Second Grade
Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers
Hannah Doan is currently a lead teacher in second grade. Miss Doan has lived in Arizona all her life, and loves being with her fiancé, family, and friends. She graduated from Arizona Christian University and is an Arizona certified teacher. She has been at Archway Scottsdale since 2017.
Juliette Morales recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Miss Morales’s love for learning and children encouraged her to pursue working in education.
Carrie Sanders is a second-grade lead teacher at Archway Classical Academy. Mrs. Sanders holds Bachelor of Arts in education from Arizona State University with a specialization in fine arts. Mrs. Sanders is a founding faculty member at Archway.
Amy Storz is a Second Grade Lead Teacher at Archway Scottsdale. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Northern Arizona University, and a Master of Arts in Educational Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She is an AZ certified teacher with fifteen years of experience.
Cinde O’Hara is a second grade lead teacher at ACS. She has a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She grew up in Tucson and is a University of Arizona graduate. Mrs. O’Hara has taught third grade, seventh grade language arts, and has also been a testing specialist at the college level. In her free time, she enjoys running, swimming, reading, and spending time with her husband and three boys.
Madeline Oxley graduated from Arizona State University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with Mathematics minor.
Terri Wiley is an Arizona native. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University, and her Masters of Science in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University. She had the opportunity to travel extensively for one year with Up With People.
Abigail Lomas is a Kindergarten teacher. She had previously been an assistant teacher, and prior, Ms. Lomas worked in various roles in education for 4 years. Interning in a special needs inclusive preschool, student teaching in both primary and elementary grades in the Paradise Valley Unified School district, and finally teaching third grade in Surprise, Arizona have all contributed to her wealth of knowledge.
Third Grade
Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers
Matthew Higby is excited to be a third-grade lead teacher at Archway Scottsdale. He graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. While in college and high school, Mr. Higby was an assistant director and director for MoezArt Productions. He loves teaching and showing students his passion and joy for the theatre and the arts.
Caleb Calloway is a third grade lead teacher at Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale. Mr. Calloway is a native of Arizona. He graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in Religion. After graduating, he moved abroad where he taught English for three years. He spent his first two years in China and moved to Japan for his third. In 2016, he returned home to Arizona where he began to work as an assistant teacher in third grade.
Paola Colón Vargas is a 3rd grade teacher at Archway Scottsdale. After graduating with honors from Portland State University with a degree in International Studies, Paola moved to Moscow, Russia. There she worked as a teaching assistant for two years in mixed K-2 classrooms.
Madeline Smith joined the 3rd grade team in 2019. Before moving to Fountain Hills in 2017, she and her husband of over 40 years lived in Olympia, WA.
Fourth Grade
Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers
As a native to Arizona, Megan Yost graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Hotel Restaurant Management. Her degree led to two internships in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World Parks and Hotels and then onto Park City, Utah. During her time in Park City, Ms. Yost learned to enjoy snowboarding and loved being able to partake in outdoor summertime activities such as daily hikes and camping trips. In her previous career roles, Ms. Yost thoroughly enjoyed all training and teaching aspects and especially enjoyed interacting with the younger guests at Disney World.
Sean Keane is currently a fourth grade teacher at Archway Scottsdale. He received his BA in English from the University of Massachusetts in 2014. For two years, he taught English to non-native speakers in Boston, MA. In 2016, Mr. Keane moved to Arizona and soon after joined the ACS team as a second grade assistant teacher.
Dean Gore is a 4th grade Lead Teacher. He began at Archway Scottsdale in 2018 as an assistant teacher. Previously, Mr. Gore was a coach for Fit Kids America in San Diego.
Paige Paul is currently a 4th grade assistant teacher at Archway Scottsdale. She moved from Billings, Montana to Scottsdale, Arizona in August of 2016. She loves the sun and will never return back to the cold again!
Krystal Bandith is currently a 4th grade assistant teacher at Archway Scottsdale.
Jordan Leary is one of our 4th grade Assistant Teachers here at ACS. He is a young and aspiring teacher who is eager to learn more and more as he continues his path of education. Prior to his current position, Mr. Leary guided our young students in our Athenaeum program as one of their Lead Teachers. He also led our young present and future students as a Camp Counselor in our Summer Camp program here at ACS.Fifth Grade
Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers
Shawn Putnam was born and raised in Scottsdale, AZ. He finished his undergraduate degree at Arizona State University and completed his graduate degree through Southern New Hampshire University. Shawn began his teaching career working at an English language academy in Bucheon, South Korea, where he lived for 15 months. Outside of work, Shawn enjoys reading, board games, and going to the theater.
Kurt Guenther joins Archway Scottsdale as a 5th grade lead teacher. He previously taught Middle School Mathematics at Great Hearts’ Maryvale Preparatory Academy.
Roma Swenson is a 5th grade lead teacher. Prior to joining the ACS faculty, she taught 6th & 7th grade Lit/Comp at Scottsdale Prep. She has a BA in Art from UC Davis, and a MS in Library & Information Science from San Jose State University. After finishing her Master’s degree, she spent several years working in Silicon Valley for Apple Computer and Adobe systems.
Jarrod Posner is a 5th grade Lead Teacher. He was a member of the founding faculty of Archway Chandler in 2010, and was also a member of the founding faculty of Archway Arete in 2014. He is a native of Long Island, New York, but has lived in the East Valley since 1999. Mr. Posner earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and a Masters of Humanities, with a Concentration in Classical Education, from the University of Dallas. He possesses a love of American history, especially the American Revolution. He enjoys watching hockey, cooking, and spending time with his wife, children, and granddaughter.
Johnathan Seeliger graduated from New York Institute of Technology in 2007 with a Bachelor’s in English Literature, and he is also certified in Spalding instruction. He has several years of experience teaching fifth grade for the charter school Adams Traditional, but felt Archway was more aligned with his own beliefs and values, so he joined his wife and two daughters here.
Kerry Ann Taylor is excited to be a third grade Assistant Teacher this year at Scottsdale Archway. She was born in Georgia and has had the opportunity to live in Kentucky, Washington, Utah, California, Virginia, Maryland and Texas before moving to Arizona.
Kathy Ducey has been a 5th grade teaching assistant with Great Hearts Academies for many years, both here at ACS and in previous years when the program was located in the middle school setting at Scottsdale Prep.
Becki Scarsone is happy to be a fifth-grade teaching assistant this year. She has worked in this capacity with Great Hearts since 2010. Prior to working for Great Hearts, Mrs. Scarsone was a stay-at-home mom to two children (now adults), Leah and Ty.
Kristen Roden was born in Lajolla, California and was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. She later received her Bachelor of Science degree and engaged in student leadership as a Senior Community Assistant for the upper-classman housing division at Arizona State University. She enjoys graphic design, traveling, doing yoga, and taking walks around the lake with her beloved dog Brody.Special Areas
Fine Arts, Languages, Physical Education, Chess, Technology
Cyra Behrana is the art teacher for Kindergarten through second grade at Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale. She was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan and moved to Arizona 5 years ago. Mrs. Behrana received her Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design from Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. She majored in print design and her minor was in apparel design.As a textile designer, Mrs. Behrana created hand drawn designs as well as computer generated motifs to be used for apparel and home textiles. Mrs. Behrana has also spent time in a school setting working at La Petite Academy as a preschool lead teacher. She is excited to work in an environment where her passion for the arts and her love for teaching can be merged. In addition to English, Mrs. Behrana is fluent in Gujrati and Urdu. In her free time, Mrs. Behrana enjoys spending quality time with her husband and son, traveling, camping, swimming and painting.
Tonya McCain is the art teacher for grades three through five. Prior to joining the faculty at ACS she spent several years employed in art museums conceiving and executing educational programming for both children and adults. Ms. McCain received a BFA from Middle Tennessee State University in Painting and Sculpture and a Master of Arts degree from The Ohio State University in Art Education. In her free time Ms. McCain enjoys making art, running, hiking, exploring museums, and spending time with her three children.
Julie Higby is a native of Arizona, and recently graduated from Arizona Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Music with an emphasis in piano performance. She has a passion for teaching children and loves to be around them. Miss Higby taught piano for three years before joining the faculty at Archway Scottsdale.
Cheryl Ringer grew up in Casper, Wy. As a young girl she sang professionally in a family band. After high school she pursued music and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance, with double minors in Theater and Dance. She opened up a private Voice and Piano Studio, and after several years returned back to school for her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Wyoming.
Bryan Yahna is the 3rd-5th grade Physical Education teacher. Prior to teaching at Archway Scottsdale, he taught P.E. in grades K-6 at Gowan Science Academy in Yuma, AZ. In addition to his P.E. experience, Mr. Yahna has worked at multiple recreational summer camps in California, a YMCA in North Dakota, and on a Disney Cruise ship. He is originally from Elida, Ohio, where he attended the Elida Local School District from kindergarten through 12th grade. Mr. Yahna attended college at The Ohio State University where he received a Masters in Elementary Education. Along with Mr. Brush, the K-2 P.E. teacher, he helps run the sports clubs after school. Mr. Yahna enjoys traveling in his free time. In addition to exploring the United States and many of the National Parks, he has been to New Zealand and Australia multiple times. He even had the privilege of living and working in Australia for a year in several primary schools in the region of Wollongong, New South Wales. Being a P.E. teacher, Mr. Yahna has a passion for sports and fitness, and loves to hike in his spare time as well. He loves going to the beach and participating in pretty much any activity that is outdoors.
Marcela Masters is pleased to be teaching kindergarten and 1st grade Spanish. She has been teaching Spanish to young students since 2010. She loves teaching, especially the opportunities to explore, grow, and fun!
Emily Chesko attended International Baptist College in Chandler, Arizona, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2014. Following her graduation, she spent five years teaching various grades and multiple subjects as well as middle school math at charter schools in the Greater Phoenix area.
In 2006, Casey Eaks received her Bachelors of Arts in Education degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. She started teaching 4th grade the same year she graduated. The following year, she moved to Arizona, where she met her husband and began teaching 5th grade.Student Services
Exceptional Student Services & Literacy
Rebecca Conforto is currently the Exceptional Student Services Academy Lead at Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. After graduating, Ms. Conforto began her work in Special Education running a Life Skills program at a private day school for students with moderate to severe Autism.
Rebekah McCarthy is one of our ESS Coordinators. She graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2004 with a Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education. Mrs. McCarthy went on to receive her Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Grand Canyon University in 2008.
Stefani Reifler attended the University of Arizona and received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Specific Learning Disabilities and Emotional Behavioral Disorders.
After majoring in music therapy at ASU, Mary Goldenetz worked at a private school/outpatient clinic utilizing a sensory integration approach with preschool through high school aged students with learning differences. She learned techniques/strategies to facilitate neurodevelopment from occupational and physical therapists, as well as enhancing language skills from speech-language pathologists.
Renee Hayes is the Assistant Teacher in the ESS department. Previously, she worked in the Behavioral Health field as a Youth and Family Specialist that involved working with children in various classroom settings. Mrs. Hayes obtained an Associate’s degree in Family Life Education through Rio Salado College and plans to further her education.
A native of Washington D.C., Lisa Pennington graduated from the George Washington University with a B.A. in Visual Communications. A move to Denver and years in the graphic design field led her to a marketing career with Microsoft. Another move, to Arizona, brought her to the Microsoft store where she trained adults in how to use various software programs.
Ashley Newell is thrilled to return to Archway Scottsdale this year our ELL (English Language Learners) Coordinator.
Carrie Toppenberg grew up in Arizona and loves living in the desert with her husband and two children. She has a Masters in Elementary Education and an Arizona State Teaching Certificate with a Structured English Immersion Endorsement.Health Office
Health Services
Mia Betz is the school nurse at Archway Classical Academy Scottsdale. Mrs. Betz Graduated with Honors with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She worked for over fifteen years as a registered nurse at Barrow Neurological Institute primarily in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit and was awarded Employee of the Year during her tenure there. Compassionate care, a nurturing environment, health promotion, and education are the primary focuses of Mrs. Betz. Prior to her role as the school nurse, she worked as an assistant teacher at ACS in second grade.
Academy Giving
Academy Giving
Paola Gale is thrilled to support Archway Scottsdale as Director of Academy Giving. As a founding family of Scottsdale Prep, her 4 daughters have been greatly enriched by the Classical Education offered at Archway Scottsdale and Scottsdale Prep.
Meagan Evans joined the Archway Scottsdale Academy Giving team as Administrative Director in 2019 and currently has one child attending Archway Scottsdale.