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.

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.

I’m an Arizona native and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. I believe wholeheartedly in teaching students developmentally appropriate academic standards through play, while also focusing on the child as a whole. My philosophy on education is to provide a hands-on environment for children to develop and grow at their unique levels and learning styles. Now I get to focus on supporting children and families as well as provide assistance to administration and staff. I have been with Desert Sun since 2014. I have taught kindergarten and special education in Mesa Publc School District, at Desert Sun, and also over seas. My hobbies include health and fitness, yoga, reading, pickleball, cooking, traveling, and ultimate frisbee.

I hope to build a peaceful community where you and your child feel valued and connected.  I want your child to build confidence and academic skills to pursue whatever educational road is ahead.  I’m here to help assist you and your family along your educational journey.

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. Now that all her kids have graduated Desert Sun, she is excited to join the Desert Sun Staff! She has worked with children and families for the past 25 years and.

In her free time she likes to spend time with her family, read, and do puzzles.

Email: Suzannes@dscdc.org

Michelle Rotner, Administrative Support

BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Development and a reading endorsement.

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

Teacher Jenn B

Kindergarten Teacher

My name is Jennifer Banaszewski, I will be Teacher Kristen’s kindergarten assistant this year. Last year I had the pleasure of subbing in several different classes. It is such a joy to work with the amazing Desert Sun staff, kiddos, and families. I love Desert Sun and hope that you and your student experience the same joy, calm, and relief that I feel every time I walk onto campus. There is so much growth and magic In these early stages of child development and I love watching the children light up as they make discoveries and build their intrinsic motivation for learning. I was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona, and was a Desert Sun student myself (in the 80s during the early years of Desert Sun). My degree is a Bachelor of Science in Education; I plan to start my Master’s degree soon. I love children and feel very blessed to help guide them, I learn from them daily as well.

My husband and I have three children (all of whom were Desert Sun kiddos). I love spending time with my family, the beach, working out, and yoga.

Jenniferb@dscdc.org

Teacher Jess

3 Day 3’s - Assistant Teacher

Jess started as a parent at Desert Sun in 2016 and is excited to join the Desert Sun Staff. She has a BS in Family and Human Development and a Masters Degree in Infant Family Practice from Arizona State University. 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

Teacher Daniela

PreK - Lead Teacher

Daniela started out as a Desert Sun parent and began teaching here in 2016. She has a BA in Education and a MA in History and Religious Studies. 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

Teacher Amanda

PreK - Lead Teacher

Amanda began as a Desert Sun parent and starting teaching here in 2018. Her three children all attended Desert Sun. She has a BA in elementary education and a minor in English.

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

Teacher Lisa

PreK - Lead Teacher

Lisa first visited Desert Sun while she was in the Early Childhood Education program at ASU where she observed in the classrooms. Lisa has a BA in Early Childhood Education and taught 1 st -3 rd grade 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

Teacher Regina

2 Day 3’s - Lead Teacher

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 about 6 years. She has a BA in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood and is a Certified teacher. She has two children who attend 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

Teacher Jaime

3 Day 3’s - Lead Teacher

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 be a teacher. She has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Development. She also has a Masters in Social Science Administration.

She has two boys and enjoys playing board games and building Legos with them.

Email: jaimec@dscdc.org

Teacher Heather

3 Day 3’s - Assistant Teacher

Hi, I'm Heather.  I was born and raised in Chandler, Arizona and graduated Arizona State University with a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology.  Later, I graduated Grand Canyon University with a Bachelors in Nursing.  I started as a Desert Sun parent in 2020, and fell in love with the welcoming, kid-friendly environment and amazing staff.  I’ve always had a passion for working with children, and have experience working in an early childhood development center, as a reading tutor, and as a registered nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  In my spare time, I can be found hiking/exercising, doing puzzles, and traveling with my husband and two children.

Email: heatherm@dscdc.org

Teacher Heather

Toddler Teacher

Teacher Heather has been teaching at Desert Sun since the year 2000. She has a BA in elementary education with a specialization in early childhood. She has taught every age at Desert Sun except kindergarten, but loves the toddler program the best.

Her hobbies include crafting and reading, especially about new classroom ideas.

Email: heatherh@dscdc.org

Teacher Betsy

PreK - Assistant Teacher

I first walked through the gates of Desert Sun in 2016 while looking for preschools and instantly knew I had found my people!  I fell in love with their approach to education and play-based learning.  Both of my children attended Desert Sun through Kindergarten and I am so grateful for the wonderful foundation it provided for each of them.   I am originally from the Midwest (Ohio and Indiana), attended college in Kentucky, and then found my way to sunny AZ in 2006.  I have a Bachelor's degree in English and Communication Arts.  I am also a certified yoga instructor.  

I enjoy all things outdoors and traveling with my husband and two kids in my spare time.  

Email: betsyt@dscdc.org

Teacher Tammy

2 day 3s - Assistant Teacher

Hi I’m Tammy and I grew up in Minnesota but stayed in sunny AZ after graduating from ASU with a BS in Family Resources and Human Development. I worked as a Nanny, ran a small home daycare and now excited to be part of the wonderful Desert Sun Staff. I have three boys and the youngest will be starting his third year at Desert Sun. I enjoy spending time outside making “discoveries” in nature with my little one, going for a run, or just sitting with a cup of coffee and slowing down time.

Email: tammys@dscdc.org

Teacher Lauren

3 Day 3’s - Assistant Teacher

Lauren came to Desert Sun as a parent and is excited to join the staff as an assistant teacher this year. She has her degree in Elementary Education from NAU and has spent many years as a teacher, tutor, nanny, and photographer. In her free time, she loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family. Lauren has two children and her youngest is currently enrolled at Desert Sun.

Email: laurenk@dscdc.org

Teacher Julie

Desert Sun CommUNITY Facilicator

Julie has been a part of Desert Sun for over 26 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 YogaFit 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 a granddaughter, who have all attended Desert Sun.

Email: Yogajules96@gmail.com

Teacher Sandy

PreK PM - Lead Teacher

Teacher Meagan

3 day 3s - Lead Teacher

I moved to Arizona in 2004 to attend ASU where I received a Bachelor's in Education in 2009 while working for the Kyrene School District as a pre-k teacher. My first child had a speech delay, so I attended NAU to obtain a certificate and license as a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant in 2013. I shifted from classroom teacher to home health where I was a parent educator, developmental specialist and SLPA for the Arizona Early Intervention Program. Prior to the arrival of my youngest child, I worked for Eduprize charter school as an SLPA for grades K-12.  My husband and I have 3 children. We are both from Missouri and huge Chief's fans! In my free time I am an avid reader, enjoy cooking and watching my children's sporting events. 

Email: meaganc@dscdc.org

Teacher Sam

Toddler - Assistant Teacher

I am a twin mom and they are both loving school, thanks to Desert Sun. I have received my master’s in Elementary Education Administration and am Arizona-certified in K-12 Principalship. I was formerly an assistant principal at a local charter school, but right now I am taking time away from work to embrace my kids in their younger years. I love hiking, traveling, reading, fitness, and baking.

Email: Samm@dscdc.org

Teacher Abbie

Kindergarten - Assistant Teacher

I am excited to be joining the Desert Sun family! I have a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from McMurry University and a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Colorado State University. For a little over 10 years, I worked as a Board-Certified Music Therapist. I began teaching in the preschool environment in 2019 when my son’s preschool needed someone to fill an aide position. Whether through music therapy or teaching, I have always had a passion for early childhood development. I have been living in my home state of Texas for the past 10 years, but I have recently moved back to Arizona to be closer to my husband’s family.

In my free time, I love to play music, crochet, and read. My husband Brad and I have four children. Andrew is in the United States Navy. Ashley is starting her first year of college. Carson is in the 2nd grade, and our youngest, Carrie, is starting kindergarten.

Email: abbief@dscdc.org

Teacher Christy

PreK - Assistant Teacher

Christy will be joining Desert Sun this year as the afternoon assistant teacher for Pre-K. She is very excited about this opportunity to help young minds grow! She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Psychology from ST. Mary’s College of California, where she was born and raised. Her husband’s job brought them to Arizona where they raised their two daughters. 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 of course! Spending quality time with family and friends is a must!

“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

Teacher Cindy

PreK - Assistant Teacher

Cindy is excited to join the Desert Sun staff.  She has a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona and an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Indiana University.  Her 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.