Mr. Hicks

I am so excited to be back at Mercury Mine after many (many) years. I grew up in the neighborhood and attended Mercury Mine for 5th and 6th grade. My wife and I moved back into the area in 2014 and was happy to discover there would be a 6th grade opening at the Mine. Our children, Griffin and Kamryn, moved schools with me and are officially Prospectors as well.

I am a graduate of ASU with both my Bachelors and Masters in Education. I began my teaching career by teaching 5th grade at Desert Trails. I was lucky enough to be one of the teachers chosen to open Pinnacle Peak Elementary School in 2001, where I taught 4th, 6th and Gifted. Before moving to MMES I had taught 6th grade for 8 years teaching ELA (Reading/Writing) and as the Math Instructor.

I truly enjoy working with, and helping to guide, 6th grade students as they take the leap between adolescence and the confusing time of young adulthood. The students are often lost between playing with toys and the friends they have had for years, and the pressure they face to "grow up." I believe that by creating a safe environment in the classroom, students feel that they can become comfortable with who they are and not who they are pressured to become.

I look forward to working closely as team with the students, my teammates and parents, it truly does take a village to raise a child. Do not hesitate to contact me if ever you have a question that I may help to answer.