Summit educators are highly-trained, long-tenured, and veteran teachers whose commitment to our mission and students keeps them here year after year.
Leadership & Administration
Brady T. Wald — Head of School
Leads the Summit community with the TEAM philosophy — Together Everyone Achieves More — and the PEAK to Achieve model at the center of school culture. Named Best School Leader in Best of Ahwatukee 2025.
Andrea Benkel — Assistant Head of School
A dynamic and passionate leader in early childhood education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Ohio State University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Phoenix, with a director’s certification from National Louis University, and is a graduate of the Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute. Under her leadership Summit received its third national NAEYC accreditation. She supervises and leads Summit’s preschool–second grade programs and staff.
Carrie Slade — Director of Business Operations
Ashley Hare — Director of Admissions
Ashley began her career in education as a student teacher at Summit and then taught at Summit for 9 years in third and fourth grade. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University, a Master’s in Education specializing in reading and mathematics K–6, and a Library Media Specialist endorsement.
Heidi Santos — Financial Analyst
Carol Mauermann — School Psychologist
Over twenty years of experience in education, initially nine years as a Special Education teacher before becoming a certified School Psychologist. Psy.S. in School Psychology and Masters in Developmental Psychology from Gallaudet University; Bachelors in Special Education from the University of Dubuque. Joined Summit in 2014.
Barb Nicholas — Facility Manager
Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University and over 30 years in Youth Development. Oversees building development, vendor selection and management, and implements safety protocols, ensuring the campus is safe and all operations are in working order.
Sarah Jackson — Office Manager
Cassandra Cutright — Human Resources
Preschool
Regina Abraham — Preschool Teacher
Over 25 years teaching in early childhood classrooms. BA in Psychology from Grinnell College and MS in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois. Frequent NAEYC National Conference presenter on the educational benefits of cooking in the early childhood classroom. Joined Summit in 2015; co-teaches the 3-day class and assists coaching middle school volleyball and basketball.
Lisa Stearns-Hayes — Teacher, Toddler Discovery Instructor
An early childhood educator at Summit for over 17 years, with a degree in Child Development from Mesa Community College and completing a BS in Early Childhood Education through NAU. Holds a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant Certificate. Co-teaches the 3-day classroom, leads Toddler Discoveries, and leads the preschool summer program. At Summit since 2001.
Tina Charney — Preschool Teacher
Teaching preschool and elementary children since 1996; formerly a theatrical lighting designer and stage manager on Broadway and internationally. BA in Latin American Studies from Columbia University with Arizona Early Childhood licensure. Published author of Your Amazing Preschooler. With Summit since 2015; teaches a 5-day class.
Kristin Pepiton — 5-Day Preschool Teacher
Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Arizona Christian University with Early Childhood and SEI endorsements. Years of experience teaching kindergarten and preschool in the Phoenix area, and parent of an incoming Summit kindergartner.
Diana Clark — Preschool Teacher
Ten years as a preschool teacher, four as a Child Development Center site supervisor, then a Quality First coach training preschool programs across Arizona. Bachelor’s in Child Development from University of La Verne. Joined Summit in 2017; teaches a 5-day class.
Donna Beatty — Preschool Teacher
Twenty years in early childhood classrooms with a Masters in Early Childhood and Reading Specialist endorsement from NAU, plus ESL and SEI endorsements. Joined Summit in 2019; teaches a 5-day classroom.
Gayle Green — Preschool Teacher, Early Childhood Math Specialist
Early childhood educator since 2002 with a BA in Education from ASU, INTEL math training, and extensive training with the Erikson Institute’s Early Math Collaborative. Teaching a 5-day class at Summit since 2007.
Fredie Boudrie — Preschool Teacher
Dedicated early childhood educator since 1998, with a BA in English and Interpersonal Communication from Ohio State and an Academic Certificate in Child and Family Professional Development from Rio Salado College. Teaching 5-day preschool at Summit since 2004; coordinates the summer pre-K boot camp.
Elementary School
Danielle Klein — Kindergarten Teacher
Began on the Navajo Reservation teaching K, 1st, and 5th grade, then eleven years of kindergarten in the Kyrene District with a focus on Early Childhood and Gifted Education. BS in Education from the University of Michigan. At Summit since 2007.
Tera Dahl — Instructional Assistant
Sixteen years of home education experience with her five children, then work in a Kyrene school with kindergarten, preschool, and special needs children. Joined the kindergarten team in 2010; supports kindergarten instruction and first grade reading groups.
Erin Vosseller — Kindergarten Teacher
Early childhood educator since 1999; BA in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona with Early Childhood and SEI endorsements, CLIP certified and trained in the Project Approach. Volunteers as Assistant Director of Arizona Camp Sunrise & Sidekicks. At Summit since 2001.
Marsha Casey — Instructional Assistant
Over eleven years in schools as a library aide and substitute teacher; BA in Marketing Management from the University of Toledo, completing an Elementary Education degree at Rio Salado. Joined the kindergarten team in 2010.
Christine Odenkirk — First Grade Teacher
Educator since 1998, with six years in the Scottsdale Unified School District. BA in Elementary Education from ASU with ESL, Reading, and Early Childhood endorsements; CLIP certified. At Summit since 2005.
Leslie Gearhart — First Grade Teacher
Educator since 2000, including first grade and Enrichment at Manzano Day School and Knox Gifted Academy. BS in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico; SEI endorsed, TRE certified, TESOL certified. Joined Summit in 2019.
Dawn Anderson — Second Grade Teacher
Over 30 years of teaching first through third grades. BS in Education from Southwest Missouri State and UMKC, and a Master’s in Reading with reading endorsement. At Summit since 2002.
Faith Angelakis — Second Grade Teacher
Began teaching second through fourth grades in Connecticut. BA in English and Philosophy from Boston College and Master’s in Elementary Education from Lesley University, with Reading Specialist and full SEI endorsements; CLIP certified. At Summit since 2006.
Samantha Arce — Third Grade Teacher
Began as a student teacher in Summit’s second grade. BA in Early Childhood Education from ASU and Master’s in Education from the University of Washington. Returned to join the faculty in 2017.
Cathy Reardon — Third Grade Teacher
Over twenty years teaching elementary school. BA in Education from the University of Arizona and Masters in Elementary Education from Chapman University. At Summit since 2002.
Kyle Allen — Fourth Grade Teacher
Teaching since 2002. BS in Education from the University of New Mexico with a minor in Language Arts, including the Intel Math Program. At Summit since 2007; coaches the after-school soccer program.
Jackie Durbin — Fourth Grade Teacher
Teaching since 2005 across third, fourth, and fifth grades with numerous teacher-leadership roles. Masters in Elementary Education K-5 from Bellarmine University. New to Summit’s faculty this year.
Kelly Curtin — Fifth Grade Teacher
Began over 20 years ago at a private school in Evanston, Illinois. Teaching degree from Northern Illinois and a Master’s in Education; has presented on Project Based Learning to the Arizona Association of Independent Schools. At Summit since 2007.
Thomas Pray — Fifth Grade Teacher
BS in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University with full SEI endorsement, Kagan cooperative learning training, and a 6–8 math endorsement in Michigan; eleven years of coaching experience. At Summit since 2012.
Middle School
Melissa France — Teacher — Math, Social Studies, Life Skills
Summit’s Student Council Advisor. BS in Education with a Psychology minor from Northern State University; NCTM member; named Educator Mentor of the Year by the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce and a Golden Gator Excellence in Teaching Award recipient from Xavier College Preparatory. At Summit since 2001.
Amy Lecky — Teacher — Literature and Language Arts; Middle School Coordinator
Over 20 years as a middle school educator; BA in Education from Millsaps College. Three-time Golden Gator Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. Spearheads Summit’s eighth-grade ROPES and SERVE programs. At Summit since 2002.
Christy Menard — Teacher — Math
At Summit since 2009 with twenty years of teaching experience; multiple Golden Gator awards, private school teacher of the year finalist in 2013, and consistently high-performing students on the annual AATM State Algebra Test — including the highest score in the entire contest from 2016–2018. A former collegiate All-American softball national champion at Chapman University, inducted into Chapman’s Hall of Fame in 2015.
Meredith Mayefske — Teacher — Social Studies, Language Arts
BA in Education from ASU’s College of Teacher Education and Leadership; Arizona Historical Society member with Humanities expertise. At Summit since 2015.
Electives and Specialists
Andrea Yocum — Science Teacher, Middle School
BA in Elementary Education and Psychology from NAU; selected for the Honeywell Space Academy for Educators at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center; three-time Golden Gator award recipient. At Summit since 2002.
Lori Phillips — Science Teacher, K–5
BA in Elementary Education from ASU; Master Teacher in the Intel Teach to the Future program and the National Hands-On Science Institute. At Summit since 2001.
Martha Silva — Spanish Teacher, 5–8
Elsa Conti — Spanish Teacher, K–5
From Mazatlán, México; BA in Business from Universidad de Occidente; active in AZLA and AATSP and a Board of Trustees teacher representative. At Summit since 2001.
Jennifer Horne — Music Teacher, Preschool–3
Bachelors and Master’s in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY; co-created a music elective at ASU; plays flute and piano, sings, and plays a variety of band instruments. At Summit since 2008.
Chris Dorsey — Music Teacher 4–5, Band Elective Teacher
Doctor of Arts in Guitar Performance; has studied and performed worldwide including Spain and Argentina; member of the Santa Fe Guitar Quartet of Argentina with three recorded albums. Named Best Teacher in Best of Ahwatukee 2025. At Summit since 2007.
Molly Danforth — Math Specialist
Over twenty years teaching grades 1–3; degrees from Gonzaga and NAU, Cognitively Guided Instruction and Intel Math training, Reading Endorsement, and prestigious National Board Certification. At Summit since 2007.
Jeremy Douwstra — Innovation and Technology Coordinator
Over 20 years teaching and technology coaching; BS in Elementary Education and Masters in Educational Technology from NAU; ISTE member. CREATE U.S. Open Robotics Championship Teacher of the Year. At Summit since 2016.
Kathleen Kupper — Visual Arts Teacher
Specialist in art, architecture and design; taught at SCI-Arc and the ASU College of Architecture. Master of Architecture from UCLA, BFA from CalArts; co-founder of the Vitruvius Program, recipient of the ACSA Creative Achievement Award recognizing its integration at Summit. At Summit since 2001.
Amy Kelly — Assistant Visual Art Teacher
Professional artist, designer, and educator; studied at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Challenges and inspires Summit’s young artists through the Vitruvius Program.
Kate Gcoh — Culinary Arts Teacher
Established cook and culinary teacher with a Culinary Arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu and a Bachelors in Physiology from the University of Arizona. New to Summit this year.
Laura Penna — Literacy Specialist
Masters from ASU in Curriculum and Instruction, Language and Literacy; certified Reading Specialist with a Full Gifted Endorsement; former Lead Gifted Teacher Specialist for the Balsz District. At Summit since 2017.
Leigh-Anne Yeager — Physical Education Teacher
Teaching PE since 2011 with a background in community wellness and athletic training; BAE from ASU in Secondary Education with K–12 PE, Kinesiology, and SEI emphasis. Joined Summit in 2019.
Allison Lee — Librarian
Experience spanning preschool through high school; Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Master’s in Library Media Science with School Library Media certification. At Summit since 2016.
Dawn Ighodaro — Extended Day Coordinator
Her Summit career began in 1998, shovel in hand, breaking ground on the land that became Summit School. Bachelor’s in Health & PE and Master’s in Counseling from West Chester University; higher-education experience at ASU, Drexel, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and West Chester. On staff since 2009.
Monica Mesa — Lunch Aide and Extended Day Staff
David Moreno — Athletic Director and Summer Camp Coordinator
Grand Canyon University graduate in Sports Management with five years of youth sports coaching, most recently at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, plus Phoenix Suns Street Team experience.