About Me

Hi!  My name is Ali Rulapaugh and I am thrilled to be teaching 5th Grade Comprehensive Gifted at Sonoran Sky again this year!  I was born and raised here in Phoenix and am a product of Paradise Valley schools. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University in December of 2006. I immediately started working at Echo Mountain Elementary School the following January as a 5th grade teacher. While teaching 5th grade, I earned my Master's Degree, also from NAU.  In 2010, I switched from 5th grade teacher to Reading Specialist, teaching 4th-6th graders of varying levels. At the end of the 2012-2013 school year, I decided it was time for a change. I really missed being a homeroom teacher and lucky for me, a 5th grade position opened up at Desert Springs. I taught 5th grade at DSP until it closed at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.  I then made the switch to Comprehensive Gifted at Sonoran Sky last year, and I couldn't be happier!

While I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family.  In September of 2015, my husband and I welcomed our first child, Gus. In September of 2018, we added our daughter, Lucy, to the family.  And finally in September of 2021, baby Harry joined the crew.  Together they add an extra layer of fun and excitement (and a bit of crazy) to our lives, but we are loving every minute of it! Another love we share is of our Chicago Bears!  We are die-hard football fans and have enjoyed seeing them play in person several times.  I know it's going to be a good football season and a wonderful year with my students!