Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: First-year Morenci head football coach Frankie Gonzalez, center, walks through the defensive linemen as a play is about to start. The Wildcats lost the bulk of both lines through graduation and are using different student-athletes to fill the voids. Kneeling from left are, senior Yeddidia Laputa Kanyinda, junior Isaiah Cook, senior Richard Varela Jr., and senior Shane Seballos. The 2024-25 school year begins Wednesday, July 24 for the Morenci Schools.
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – An 8-week summer break is nearing its end. The break used to be 12 weeks long, but changed after two weeks each were allotted for the Fall (October) and Spring (March) Breaks some time back. The buildings, classrooms, and campuses are ready, new to the district teachers have been oriented, and a final faculty and staff gathering is set for Tuesday, July 23. Morenci’s 2024-25 school year begins on Wednesday, July 24.
There are no new administrators for any of the district schools. However, several faculty additions have been made.
Morenci Early Learning Center
Ashley Morales remains as the Early Learning Center Director, a position she has held since 2022.
New to the faculty are Corrinna Barker (4-year-olds) and Brandalynn Salas (3-year-olds). The other faculty members include Jennie Romero and Christie Wyatt for 4-year-olds along with Sarah Stergion for 3-year-olds. Vanessa Torres is the Special Education teacher.
Metcalf Elementary School
Metcalf Elementary School has Dr. Chelsea Adams as principal and Andrea Hudman as assistant principal along with Dean of Students and Academic Coach, both in their fourth years as such. They oversee a total of 44 teachers in the building housing grades K-4. Paula Gonzalez (K), Taylor Martinez, and Kelsey Pugmire both 2nd Grade, Lily Naccarati (Character), Bridgette Mennen, and Rosie Allen both for Physical Education, and Kara Wagley (Special Education) are in their inaugural year at Metcalf.
Returning teachers include Vanessa Jones, Benino Morales, Casey Russell, Tiffany Saenz, and Myranda Wasko return for Kindergarten; Erin Clem, Elizabeth Dunagan, Alexis Gregory, Michelle Pollack, Stephanie Salazar, and Janet Vaughn for First Grade; Lillian Forgach, Jessica Gonzalez, Shannon Herrera, and Kathryn Najar for Second Grade; Jessica Gallegos, Jessica Harrington, Cassandra Hernandez, Allison Reigel, Marla Reyes, and Sara Rios for Third Grade; and Janet Cervantez, Vanessa Fallow, Angela Hernandez, Jessica King, Christine Rivera, and Layla Turner for Fourth Grade.
Seven Special Education teachers include Sandra Carrasco, Michelle Manuz, Ruth Martin, Laurie Stubblefield, Vanessa Torres, Linda Woodard, and Kodie Barnett (Occupational Therapist).
Sabrina Gonzales (Spanish), DeDe Guerrero (Library), and Gene Willey (Music) round out the teaching corps.
Fairbanks Middle School
Fairbanks Middle School has Nikki Lopez as principal for a second year and Rebecca Manuz as assistant principal in her eighth year. Christina Chavez is the Special Education Director and Tanner Pursley is the counselor.
Thirty teachers hold classes for middle school students, with Rochelle Brock (6th Science), Brendon Enriquez (7th Science), Nicole Marin (6th Social Studies), and Benedetta Cargile (Band) new to the faculty for this year.
The FMS teachers are Katy Crandall, Tawnya Helbig, Jamie Madrid, Alyssa Murillo, and Nicole Pursley for Fifth Grade; Rebecca Baumeister, (Math), and Raylyn Chee (English-reading) for Sixth Grade; David Gallegos (Math), Scarlet Ludvigson (Social Studies), and Christy Parrott (English) for Seventh Grade; and Jasmine Aguinaga (Math), Jody Bailey (Social Studies), A.J. Rodriguez (Science), Melissa Rodriguez (English) and for Eighth Grade.
The rest of the faculty members include Ruben Aguallo (Boys Physical Education), Andrea Einwaechter (Art), Barbie Gaethje (7th/8th Special Education), Casey Maldonado (5th/6th Special Education), Venise Mendez-Lytle (Girls Physical Education), Melanie Hilton (Accommodations), Gene Willey (Percussion/Band) Samantha Williams (technology), and Casey Woodall (Co-Ed Athletic Development).
Morenci High School
Morenci High School returns its principal and assistant principal in Don Goodman and Tiffany Powers. The faculty coach is Ilsa Castillo and the student counselor is Joseph Garcia.
The “top-tiered technology-based” school has 24 teachers within its walls and graduated its’ 119th class in May. Benedette Cargile (Band, Mariachi), Nicolas Carrasco (Athletic Development), Desarae Daniels (Business/History), Amanda Davis (English), Frankie Gonzalez (Freshman Academy), Siobhan Manrique (English/History), Sheridan Valdez (Science), Beatriz Wilkinson (Spanish/Art) are the faculty additions this year.
The rest of the MHS teachers include Julie Baker, Jennifer Chavez, and Garcia for English; Alexa Aguilera, Castillo, Sabyn Martinez, Gary Rees, and Renee Still for Math; Leonisa Calapini and Marilou Cortez for Science; and Baker and Kenneth Lester for History.
Additionally, Anthony Aguinaga (Welding/Construction), Sabrina Gonzales (Spanish), Lester (Government), Denita Marble (Culinary Arts), Terry Montoya (Special Education/Art), and Casey Woodall (Athletic Development) round out the faculty. Greg Verlander is the Industrial Electrician teacher on a separate campus.
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