The Perfect Team ♡
Trisha Lucas, Education Director
Bachelors Degree in Family Resource and Human Development from Arizona State University
Trisha Lucas has been involved with Desert Sun for 25+ years. She began as a teacher and later became the Director of Education in 2003. This position assists her in pursuing her passion of working with young children and early childhood education. She is a strong advocate of the child as well as the family unit.
Trisha’s hobbies include traveling, decorating and spending time with her family.
Email: trisha@desertsun.org, trishal@dscdc.org
Jennifer Conley, Assistant Director & Student Specialist
Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Northern Arizona University
Jenn has been with Desert Sun since 2014. She has taught kindergarten and special education in Mesa Public School District, Desert Sun, and over seas. She believes wholeheartedly in teaching students developmentally appropriate academic standards through play, while also focusing on the child as a whole. As a teacher, her philosophy on education is to provide a hands-on environment for children to develop and grow at their unique levels and learning styles. Jenn has the desire to build a peaceful community where you and your child feel valued and connected. She wants your child to build confidence and academic skills to pursue whatever educational road is ahead. As the assistant director and student specialist, Jenn is available to help you and your family along your educational journey.
Jenn’s hobbies include health and fitness, yoga, reading, pickleball, cooking, traveling, and ultimate frisbee.
Email: jenniferc@dscdc.org
Suzanne Scripture, Business Manager
Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Arizona State University
Suzanne has been at Desert Sun as a parent since 2015. When all her children graduated Desert Sun, she decided to stay but in a different role. From parent to business manager, Suzanne has experience in many areas. She has worked with children and families for the past 25 years in positions such as nanny, teacher, child care director and now business manager.
In her free time she likes to spend time with her family, reading, and doing puzzles.
Email: Suzannes@dscdc.org
Michelle Rotner, Administrative Support
BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Development and an endorsement in reading from Northern Arizona University.
Michelle has been a member of the Desert Sun family since 2004. She became involved as a parent while three of her children and several nieces and nephews attended Desert Sun. She later became staff and has worked as an aide, lead teacher and administration support. Michelle taught transitional kindergarten and first grade while in the public school system.
Michelle volunteers and is a member of the PO Board at a local high school. She loves to spend time cooking, baking and feeding others, enjoys traveling with her husband, cheering on her kids in their life journeys and thoroughly enjoys reading while cuddled up with her dog, Henry.
Email: micheller@dscdc.org
Jenn Banaszewski, teacher
Bachelor of Science in Education
Teacher Jenn loves Desert Sun. Her love for the school started in the 80’s when she was a Desert Sun student herself. Jenn hopes that every student experiences the same joy, calm, and relief that she feels every time she walks onto campus. Jenn believes there is so much growth and magic in the early stages of child development and loves watching the children light up as they make discoveries and build their intrinsic motivation for learning. Jenn loves children and feels very blessed to help guide them and learn from them.
Jenn and her husband, Chuck, have three children (all of whom were Desert Sun students).Her hobbies include spending time with her family, enjoying the beach, working out, and yoga.
Email: Jenniferb@dscdc.org
Jess Sessions, assistant
BS in Family and Human Development and a Masters Degree in Infant Family Practice from Arizona State University
Jess started as a parent at Desert Sun in 2016 and later joined the Desert Sun Staff. Before becoming a mom, she worked as an Early Head Start teacher.
In her free time, she likes to watch her kids play sports, exercise, and go on hikes with her family.
Email: jessicas@dscdc.org
Daniela Yuenyongsgool, teacher
BA in Education and a MA in History and Religious Studies
Daniela started out as a Desert Sun parent and began teaching in 2016. She is a certified yoga instructor and has taught yoga, music, and German classes to children for many years.
In her free time, she likes to do yoga, stand-up-paddle boarding, read, and spend time outdoors with her family.
Email: danielay@dscdc.org
Amanda Buckwalter, teacher
BA in elementary education and a minor in English
Amanda began as a Desert Sun parent and starting teaching in 2018. Her three children all attended Desert Sun.
Amanda enjoys traveling with her family, especially camping in national parks and going to Disney, as well as reading and doing puzzles.
Email: amandab@dscdc.org
Lisa Schedler, teacher
BA in Early Childhood Education
Lisa first visited Desert Sun while she was in the Early Childhood Education program at ASU where she observed in the classrooms. Lisa taught 1st -3rd grades in the Kyrene school district until she became a mom. Both of her children attended Desert Sun, from the toddler class through kindergarten, where she spent many joyful hours volunteering in her children’s classrooms. Lisa was an early childhood ministry curriculum coordinator for 10 years. She has also taught pre-kindergarten, in-home kindergarten pods, and substitute taught in the Chandler school district. As a lifelong learner, she continues to take classes to further her knowledge of early childhood development.
Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and fur babies, going for hikes in the beautiful desert, gardening, bird watching (she has several feeders), and watching historical fiction shows.
Lisas@dscdc.org
Regina Aldridge, teacher
BA in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood
Regina first came to Desert Sun through the Kindergarten Project with the Alesi Group, LLC. She came regularly to do video documentation of the Kindergarten, to use as a model for professional development in districts across the state. She had also been an early childhood teacher for 6 years. She has two children who have attended Desert Sun.
In her free time, she enjoys singing, playing guitar or piano, being creative, and traveling or doing anything outdoors with her family.
Reginaa@dscdc.org
Jaime Cozza, teacher
BA in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Development and a masters in Social Science Administration
Jaime has been a member of the Desert Sun Family since 2011. She started as a parent and when her children went on to elementary school she chose to stay and become a teacher. She also has a
She has two boys and enjoys playing board games and building Legos with them.
Email: jaimec@dscdc.org
Heather Manos, assistant
Bachelors degree in Kinesiology from Arizona State University and a bachelors in nursing from Grand Canyon University
Heather started as a Desert Sun parent in 2020, and fell in love with the welcoming, kid-friendly environment and amazing staff. She’s always had a passion for working with children, and has experience working in an early childhood development center, as a reading tutor, and as a registered nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
In her spare time, Heather can be found hiking/exercising, doing puzzles, and traveling with her husband and two children.
Email: heatherm@dscdc.org
Heather Heitkamp-Brown, teacher
BA elementary education with a specialization in early childhood
Teacher Heather has been teaching at Desert Sun since 2000. She has taught every age at Desert Sun except kindergarten, but loves the toddler program the most.
Her hobbies include crafting and reading, especially about new classroom ideas.
Email: heatherh@dscdc.org
Betsy Thomas, assistant
Bachelor's degree in English and Communication Arts
Betsy walked through the gates of Desert Sun in 2016 while looking for preschools and instantly knew she’d found what she was looking for. She fell in love with the approach to education and play-based learning. Both of her my children attended Desert Sun through Kindergarten and is so grateful for the wonderful foundation it provided for each of them. Betsy is a certified yoga instructor.
Betsy enjoys the outdoors and traveling with her husband and two kids.
Email: betsyt@dscdc.org
Tammy Snideman, assistant
BS in Family Resources and Human Development from Arizona State University
Tammy has worked as a nanny, ran a small home daycare and is now happy to be part of the Desert Sun Staff. She has three boys and the youngest is currently a student at Desert Sun. Tammy enjoys spending time outside making “discoveries” in nature with my little one, going for a run, or enjoying a cup of coffee and slowing down.
Email: tammys@dscdc.org
Lauren King, assistant
Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University
Lauren came to Desert Sun as a parent and was excited to join the staff as an assistant teacher in 2023. She has spent many years as a teacher, tutor, nanny, and photographer. Lauren has two children and her youngest is currently enrolled at Desert Sun.
In her free time, she loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family.
Email: laurenk@dscdc.org
Julie Vasquez, teacher/Desert Sun CommUNITY Facilitator
Julie has been a part of Desert Sun for over 25+ years as a parent and as a teacher, since studying Child Development in college under the esteemed professor, Marty Martin. Julie aims to create a warm, inclusive, and nurturing environment, encouraging all to "Shine your Light and Grow Slow.” She is a Holistic Nutrition Specialist, focusing on empowering people to embrace mindful exercise for a vibrant life. She holds certifications from Yoga Fit and Arizona Yoga Academy/Yoga Alliance. Julie most recently trained in the Mindfulness First program and is thrilled to implement mindfulness, movement, and breathwork techniques for both children and adults alike. She is excited to Educate, Engage, and Empower the Desert Sun Community!
Julie is happily married to her husband, Tim, and is a proud parent to three vibrant children and two grandchildren, who have attended Desert Sun.
Email: Yogajules96@gmail.com
Sandy Foehl, teacher
Massachusetts Bay College
Cindy recently moved to Arizona from Massachusetts to be closer to her grown sons, who reside in Arizona and California. She has worked in the preschool environment for many years. She has experience with all ages throughout preschool.
Sandy enjoys reading, hiking and walking and is especially thankful to be closer in proximity to spend time with her granddaughter.
Meagan Cauger, teacher
Bachelors of Education from Arizona State University and certified/licensed SLPA from Northern Arizona University
Meagan has worked for the Kyrene School District as a pre-k teacher. Her first child had a speech delay, so she obtained a certificate and license as a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant in 2013. She shifted from classroom teacher to home health where she was a parent educator, developmental specialist and SLPA for the Arizona Early Intervention Program. Prior to the arrival of her youngest child, Meagan worked at Eduprize charter school as an SLPA for grades K-12. She and her husband have 3 children. Meagan is from Missouri and is a huge Chief's fan! In her free time she is an avid reader, enjoys cooking and watching her children's sporting events.
Email: meaganc@dscdc.org
Sam McAnally, assistant
Masters in Elementary Education Administration and Arizona-certified in K-12 Principalship
Sam is a twin mom. Both her children love school, thanks to Desert Sun. Prior to Desert Sun, Sam was an assistant principal at a local charter school. While her children are at Desert Sun, she is taking time away from administration to embrace her kids in their younger years.
Sam loves hiking, traveling, reading, fitness, and baking.
Email: Samm@dscdc.org
Abbie Floyd, assistant
Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from McMurry University and a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Colorado State University
For a over 10 years, Abbie worked as a Board-Certified Music Therapist. She began teaching in the preschool environment in 2019 when her son’s preschool needed to fill an aide position. Whether through music therapy or teaching, she has always had a passion for early childhood development.
In her free time, she loves to play music, crochet, and read. She and her husband Brad have four children. Andrew is in the United States Navy. Ashley is in college. Carson and Carrie are in elementary school.
Email: abbief@dscdc.org
Christy Sorrentino, assistant
Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Psychology from St. Mary’s College of California
Christy is very happy to work at Desert Sun and to help young minds grow. She has had the privilege of working with children for many years, inside the classroom and out, ranging from pre-school through junior high, with ages 3-5 being her favorite.
Spending quality time with family and friends is her favorite way to spend her time.
“Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them”. It brings me joy to be around them!
Email: christinas@dscdc.org
Cindy Hayes, assistant
B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from University of Arizona and an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Indiana University
Cindy came to Desert Sun in 2024. Cindy’s experience lies in being an SLP in special needs preschools and pediatric private practice.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three kids and dog, being with friends, enjoying the outdoors, playing clarinet, and reading.
Email: cindyh@dscdc.org
Monica Gallegos
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist/Feeding Delays & Food Aversions
Monica has more than 20 years of experience as a speech pathologist working with children with speech, language and feeding delays in hospital, school and private practice settings. She loves empowering parents by recognizing their child's strengths and developing their areas of need. She is a native Texan and attended the University of North Texas for undergrad and Baylor for graduate school. Monica moved to the sunshine state in 2004 and let’s just say, her heart’s divided.
Monica enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, trying new restaurants, traveling or being creative on the Cricut. She loves expanding her knowledge by listening to podcasts.
