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Meet The Teachers!
Meet The Teachers!
Hi! My name is Beth Perry. I have taught in the Washington Elementary School District for 30 years. This is my tenth year working with the Sahuaro School Community! This will be my 8th year in the Gifted Learning Center. Previously I taught 1st through 4th grades and have been a reading specialist. I was awarded my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from ASU in 1995. I received my Master's Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University in 2007 and became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2010 and renewed in 2021. I am fully endorsed in Gifted Education, Structured English Immersion, and Early Childhood Education. I was nominated and received the District's Lamp of Learning Award in 2013. In 2023, I was awarded the Gifted Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Association of Gifted and Talented. beth.perry@wesdschools.org
Copy of 20230112_141355.mp4
Hi! My name is Kristin Holbrook. I have taught in the district for 19 years. This will be my third year working at Sahuaro in the GLC. I have previously taught Kindergarten through 6th grade and have been an instructional coach, but my heart is in the classroom with students. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Psychology from NAU in 2002 and my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction-Emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders from ASU in 2013. I also have a full gifted teaching endorsement. I was nominated and received the District’s Lamp of Learning Award in 2016. My husband and I have two children who keep us very busy with their extra curricular activities. Chloe is a former GLC student and will be a freshman at Sandra Day O'Connor and Noah will be a 5th grader in the GLC this year. You can usually find us on the softball or soccer field, or exploring the outdoors. To relax and renew my spirit, I like to put on my running shoes and go.
Hello! I'm Mary Kate Testa. I've taught in WESD for 16 years; Kindergarten through 6th grade, at various capacities including STEAM and gifted Summer school. I've enjoyed my time as a Student Council Facilitator; Curriculum Developer for Reading, Math, Social Science, and English Language Learners; Teacher Technology Leader; Mentor Teacher; and a member of the WESD Family and Community Engagement focus group. My Masters of Education is in Curriculum and Instruction. My National Board Teacher Certification is in English as a New Language.
What else brings me joy: I have a 6-year old Yorkie-Pom who loves to cuddle, and a 5-year old Maltese-Bichon Poodle who enjoys playing fetch and never leaves my side. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly non-fiction books with the occasional captivating novel. Spending time in nature camping or listening to the wind blow through the trees is my happy place which is why my home and classroom are filled with many live and artificial plants. My love of gnomes is cultural (Dutch) and grew after studying my Oma's Gnomes book.
mary.testa@wesdschools.org
Hello my name is Jenn Mosher. I worked in higher education for about 15 years and have a degree in business. While my experience has been working with college students and financial aid, I am excited to venture into the teaching world and connecting with the young minds that are our future. I started with WESD in January 2023 as a Long-term Substitute and had the opportunity to wrap up the 23’ school year with Sahuaro in the GLC. I am excited to be kicking off the 23-24 school year, continuing to work with the students in the GLC (Math & ELA) as well as the students in Project Potential (k-6). I am married and have a daughter (my heart and inspiration) here at Sahuaro. On off hours, if we are not hanging around the house, we like to wonder the mall, random stores, and go to the movies. My daughter and I also enjoy breakfast/lunch dates and sporadic ice-cream dates. In the cooler months we like to get outdoors a little more for hiking and park fun.
My name is Variatee Snide and I have been a teacher for 15 years. Before I was a teacher, I was a highly gifted student in the district. I received my Bachelors of Science in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Arizona and then received my Masters in Secondary Education from Arizona State University. I have taught Kindergarteners to Seniors in high school. However, most of my teaching experience has been teaching middle school and high school math. I am looking forward to working with gifted students that have such unique minds.
When I am not teaching, I love to spend time with my family, do crafts and travel. I have two daughters that are also students in the district. One will be in Kindergarten and the other will be in fourth grade this school year. My favorite crafts are making t-shirts and sewing handbags. I visited Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. this summer! I also plan on visiting Southern California and New Orleans this year.
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