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Leadership

Ryan Schoonover

Ryan Schoonover

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTARY
Wildfire Elementary School
School: 602-449-4300

Wildfire students, parents, staff, and community, 

I am so proud to be the Principal of Wildfire Elementary School. WFES is a tremendous school with a great reputation around the Valley for having an amazing student body, staff, and support community. It is truly an honor to be a part of this wonderful community. I am so grateful for the role I get to play in helping every student and staff member be the best they can be. 

I started my teaching career in the Kansas City, Kansas School District where I taught Social Studies and Science in grades 6-8. I was also an after-school math and reading tutor to students, and coached middle school soccer and as well as the Student Council sponsors.

After moving to Arizona with my wife Kaycee in 2012, I became the K-12 Social Studies Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Specialist for the Deer Valley School District. I held that position for 3 years and helped develop curriculum and assessments for the district, provide professional development to teachers and district administrators, as well as create lessons for the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the Maricopa County Education Service Agency. In the summer of 2013, I taught English to elementary students at summer school programs in Beijing, China. 

I served as Assistant Principal at Canyon Springs STEM Academy and Sunset Ridge School which are Pre-K-8 schools in the Deer Valley School District. In this position, I worked with students, teachers, and parents to help lead the school Canyon Springs to an “A” rating from ADE, an “A+” designation from the Arizona Education Foundation, and a STEM Certification from AdvancED. I am a Level 1 and Level 2 Google Certified Educator and am working towards my Google Certified Trainer endorsement. 

I wholeheartedly believe that every man, woman, and child can learn and everyone can be successful in school. I feel it is important to expand our strengths and challenge our weaknesses. I am passionate about incorporating new technologies into the educational experience; students and teachers need to use technology effectively and responsibly so they are able to grow and compete in our evolving world.  

I believe that communication, honesty, and visibility are key attributes to being an effective school leader, and try to practice these skills every day. All decisions relevant to our students – from classroom practices, policies, procedures, and discipline – should be based on what’s best for the student.  

To me, ensuring student success at Wildfire Elementary isn’t just a job. Just like many of the WFES staff members, my own children are Firebirds. As a father, my perspective on ensuring an effective learning environment has only strengthened: It is important to me that all children receive the education and school experience that I would want for my own kids. I look forward to working hard every day to help you achieve that goal.

This school year is proving to be a great one and I know all our students and staff will continue to do an amazing job. I look forward to seeing all the great things we are going to accomplish the rest of this year at Wildfire Elementary School!

Sincerely,

Ryan Schoonover

Front Office Staff

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much - Helen Keller

The WFES front office staff and leadership team are committed to providing a welcoming, caring, and helpful environment to all our students, staff, families, community members, and visitors. We hope that everyone who walks through our doors has a great experience and knows how important they are to the school.

Administrative Assistant - Jennifer Naber

Records Secretary - Jane Kinghorn 

Campus Assistant - Christine Banas-Peters

Campus Assistant - Randy Granados

Custodian - Jovanny Hernandez