Staff & Teachers

Luz Rubio

Principal

Hello my name is Jannett Tansey. I have been working for Yuma School District One for over 15 years. For the last 10 years, I have been in the preschool environment where I have gained valuable experience supporting student's growth and development in both academic and social emotional areas. I truly enjoy working with little ones, because they are like little sponges. I like the community we build within the school but especially our preschool program. 

Hello! My name is Ethan Higuera, and I’m so happy to be apart of the Dorothy Hall family! I was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, and I earned my Bachelor from Grand Canyon University.

After college, I spent two years as a substitute teacher and quickly discovered my passion for education. I realized how meaningful it is to make a positive impact in students’ lives. My goal is to ensure that every student leaves my classroom equipped with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the next step of their educational journey.

Hello hello!
My name is Lucero Cerda, for as long as I can remember I dreamt of being a kindergarten teacher. And guess what?! My dream came true!! I have been teaching kindergarten for 9 years. I graduated from Northern Arizona University with degrees in Elementary education and Early Childhood education with a SEI endorsement. I love teaching, love seeing my students absorb so much knowledge within a year. I love celebrating and encouraging growth, I believe every student is capable of success, no exceptions! “Children are sponges – they are going to absorb whatever is around them, so we need to be intentional about what surrounds them.” Dave Ramsey.

Hello! My name is Marcella Reardon, and I am a proud member of the Kindergarten team at Dorothy Hall Elementary—Go Innovators!
I have more than 29 years of teaching experience, including 15 years in second grade and 14 years in Kindergarten. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Bilingual Endorsement and a Master of Education with an emphasis in Bilingual/Multicultural Education.
It has been an honor to teach at Dorothy Hall Elementary since the school opened in the 2019–2020 school year. By far, teaching Kindergarten fills my heart the most. Our youngest learners begin their educational journey with an incredible sense of wonder and curiosity, and I consider it a privilege to help nurture that excitement for learning.
My goal is to create a classroom environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn. Together, we build a classroom community that is inclusive, grounded in kindness and respect, and committed to both rigorous and engaging learning. I encourage my students to embrace challenges, learn from their mistakes, and celebrate their growth along the way.

I truly believe that every child is capable of success—no exceptions!

"In our classroom, we learn with curious minds, kind hearts, and the confidence that every mistake is a stepping stone to success."

Hello! My name is Leticia Velasquez, and I feel so blessed to be part of the Dorothy Hall family. This will be my 9th year as a classroom teacher, but I have had the joy of working with children for over 17 years. I began my journey in education as a paraprofessional in both special education and general education, which inspired me to pursue my degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood from Northern Arizona University. I’ve been teaching Kindergarten since and I absolutely love it. My goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment where each child feels loved, supported and excited to learn. I believe in building strong relationships and providing meaningful and engaging experiences that help every student thrive both academically and emotionally.  I am looking forward to a wonderful year of growth and learning.   

Hello! My name is Evonne Durdovic and I have been teaching first grade at Dorothy Hall since the school opened in 2019. This will be my 21st year teaching. I graduated from NAU with my Bacherlors degree in elementary education and my masters degree from the University of Phoenix. It is important to build a classroom community where all students feel safe and loved. I beleive every child is capable of success and they just need an enviroment that supports their curiosity. When I am not at school I love spending time discovering new places with my husband and daughters. "Every child needs a champion. An adult that will never give up on them!" -Rita Pierson

Hello! My name is Reagan Sheppeard, and I am proud to be a first grade teacher here at Dorothy Hall! I was born and raised here in Yuma, Arizona and love calling this community my home. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, and I have had the privilege of working with students across grades K–8. Along the way, I discovered my passion for teaching and inspiring first graders.
As a first-grade teacher, I am eager to build a classroom community that celebrates academic success, personal growth, fun, collaboration, kindness, and so much more. I wholeheartedly believe that every child is capable of success, and I am deeply committed to creating a supportive and encouraging environment where that belief thrives. Go Innovators!

"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible!'" - Audrey Hepburn

Hello! My name is Katie Stallworth and I am so excited to be teaching 1st Grade at Dorothy Hall this year. This will be my first year teaching 1st grade but my 6th year teaching. I was born and raised here in Yuma and am excited to give back to the community. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from NAU. I am excited to create a classroom that feels like a family, one where students are encouraged to be kind, work together, celebrate one another, and enjoy learning. I believe every child is capable of achieving great things, and I am committed to providing the support, encouragement, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.                                                               “All students can learn and succeed, but not on the same day in the same way.” – George Evans

Hi! My name is Celinda Palma, and I am excited to begin my second year of teaching as a first grade teacher at Dorothy Hall! I am grateful to be part of this school community and look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and fun.                                                              I graduated from Northern Arizona University- Yuma in May 2025 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education. Before becoming a classroom teacher, I worked as a paraprofessional in Yuma Elementary School District One for three years. During my first year of teaching, I had the opportunity to teach Special Education, an experience that strenghten my passion for helping every student succeed.                                                                                                                                                                                                     Becoming a teacher has always been a dream because I believe education has the power to change lives. My goal is to create a classroom where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential. I hope to inspire a love of learning while making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of my students.    

Hi! My name is Sondra Hieber and I am proud to be teaching 2nd grade at Dorothy Hall Elementary School! I received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Northern Arizona University and have been in the classroom instructing since 2002. I believe in creating an interactive classroom where students feel safe to explore, ask questions, and take risks. My goal is to help students develop a love for learning and build a strong foundation for their future academic success. I strive to create a community of learners that nurtures growth in a positive and fun environment. I look forward to a wonderful year of learning with my students! 
  “If you have a child’s heart, you have their mind. - Flip Flippen

Hello! My name is Madison Argel, and I am proud to be establishing my career here at Dorothy Hall! I am a veteran dancer who fell in love with the art of teaching through teaching dance. I graduated from Northern Arizona University (Yuma) in May of 2024 with a bachelor's in both elementary education and special education with an English as a second language endorsement. I was a paraprofessional here in Yuma Elementary School District One for three years before becoming a teacher and I credit a lot of my experience to our local professionals! I have experience working in autism classrooms and cherish the importance of inclusion for all students. All students are capable of success, no exceptions! I am looking forward to my future as an innovator taking part in educating our upcoming generations. “Don’t underestimate yourself. You are more capable than you think.”― Misty Copeland

Hi! My name is Ashley Marin, and I’m very excited to be teching 2nd grade at Dorothy Hall! I graduated from Northern Arizona University – Yuma in May 2024 with a bachelors degree in Elementary Education. Before becoming a classroom teacher, I worked as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, and dance instructor. These experiences helped build a strong foundation for my teaching journey. 
My goal as a teacher is to create a classroom that feels safe, welcoming, supportive, and academically engaging. I truly believe that every child is capable of success, no exceptions. I’m passionate about helping students grow not just academically, but as confident, curious, and kind individuals. Teaching is more than a job to me, it’s an opportunity to help shape the next generation, and I take that responsibility to heart every single day.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do." — Steve Jobs

Hi,
My name is Nereyda Cochran. I am a Yuma Native and love everything Yuma!  I graduated from Yuma High School (Go Crimms!) and graduated from AWC and Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors in Liberal studies and a Masters in Education. I have been teaching for 15 years now. I previously taught at Gwyneth Ham and McGraw elementary schools for 2nd and 3rd grades. I currently teach Reading and Social Studies for all third grade students at DH. I had the honor of opening Dorothy Hall School in August of 2019 and I am excited to continue teaching at DH another year! I love teaching at Dorothy Hall for its vision-all learners will learn through collaboration and discovery. This is made possible through the programs established (KAH, STEM, AVID, Mentor Buddies) and the belief that ALL students have the spark to grow and learn! Yes, expectations are high in third grade-but our students are HEROES so they will meet those in a breeze ��! I love inspiring my students the love of learning and the love of growing academically as well as teaching them to read and to apply those reading skills to their everyday lives.
 “Believe you can and you are half way there” Theodore Roosevelt. ��

Hi! My name is Morgan Lee, and I’m proud to teach third grade science at Dorothy Hall Elementary. Born and raised right here in Yuma, I’ve always loved being part of this wonderful community.
I earned my dual major in Elementary Education and Special Education from Northern Arizona University and have been in the classroom teaching since 2015. My biggest goal as a teacher is to spark curiosity and help my students discover just how exciting and fun science can be.
I can’t wait for another amazing year of exploring, experimenting, and learning together! ������
“The important thing is to never stop questioning.” – Albert Einstein

Greetings Innovator families! My name is Celia Venegas, and I am one member of our fantastic third grade team. I am a proud “Yuman” and product of Yuma School District One (Go Jaguars and Falcons!). 

This is my 11th consecutive year as a 3rd grade teacher - 4 years at McGraw Elementary and going into my 7th at Dorothy Hall Elementary. In my classroom, I strive to provide a learning environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and fun by integrating AVID strategies and learning through song. It is my goal to make every student’s confidence in their mathematical abilities grow, learn how math is valuable in their everyday lives, and ultimately love math! I look forward to meeting all of the wonderful third grade scholars who walk into my classroom and impress on them that they are loved and capable of success, no exceptions! 

“I'm not telling you it's going to be easy - I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.” - Art Williams

Greetings Dorothy Hall families! I’m Paul Flores IV, and I’m excited to be your 4th Grade Science and Social Studies teacher for the 2025-26 school year. This marks my 5th year here at Dorothy Hall Elementary and my 21th year in the field of education. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of teaching in various settings, including summer camps, preschools, middle schools, and elementary schools. I'm truly blessed to be working in one of the greatest careers and look forward to another amazing education adventure with you and your child(ren).

I earned my BA in Educational Studies from WGU, where I was honored to receive two writing awards. My teaching philosophy centers around helping students become the best versions of themselves by providing opportunities for growth, learning, and achievement tailored to their unique educational journeys. Each year brings a fresh start and another chance to move closer to our dreams. Remember, it takes a village—let’s work together to make this a wonderful year! 

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" - Dr. Seuss

Hello Innovators!����
My name is Carly Brewer and I am one of DH's fourth grade teachers. I am a proud California girl from the small town of Holtville, California, and I am grateful to have called Yuma and Dorothy Hall home since 2020. Being a teacher is something I hold dear to my heart, and I feel incredibly blessed to spend each day helping students learn, grow, and discover their unique strengths. Back in 2020, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and student taught here at Dorothy Hall. My goal is to create a classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn. I believe that education is about more than academics—it's about building confidence, fostering kindness, and helping students develop the skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.  “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle

Hello! I'm Mrs. Kelso, and I'm so excited to be your child's Math teacher this year! I have over 15 year of experience working with children and obtained my degree in education from the University of New Mexico. As a military family, we've had the opportunity to live in serveral different places, allowing me to teach and upport students in New Mexico, Georgia, and most recently Japan. Throughout my career, i've worked with students in grade 3 through 8, Last year I served as a math interventionist for grades 3-5.  I believe every child can be successful in math with the right support, encouragement, and opportunities to grow. My goal is to create a classroom where students feel confident, challenged, and excited to learn each day. When I'm not teaching, You'll often find me playing kickball, going for a run, or exploring new places with my family. I can't wait to get to know each of my students and partner with your family for a wonderful year of learning and growth!

Hi! My name is April Arzola, and I am so excited to begin my second year teaching at Dorothy Hall Elementary School! In May 2025, I earned my B.S. in Special and Elementary Education with endorsements in Bilingual Education and K–5 Literacy from Northern Arizona University. Go Lumberjacks! ����

I am thrilled to continue teaching 5th Grade Reading and Writing and to build on the amazing experiences from my first year in the classroom. I look forward to continuing to grow as an educator while helping my students become confident readers, thoughtful writers, and lifelong learners. My goal is to create a classroom where every student feels safe, valued, challenged, and encouraged to reach their full potential. I can't wait to help these incredible young learners thrive in their future education and celebrate all the growth we'll make together this year! ��✨     "The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." — B.B. King

Hello, Innovator Families!
My name is Mariana Mireles, and I am excited to begin my third year teaching at Dorothy Hall Elementary! I earned my Master's in Elementary Education with a Structured English Immersion Endorsement from Northern Arizona University, and I am passionate about helping students develop a lifelong love of learning.
In our classroom, I strive to create a fun, engaging, and welcoming environment where innovators thrive as they explore the exciting worlds of Science and Social Studies. Through hands-on investigations, collaborative activities, and meaningful discussions, students are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, solve problems, and discover how the world works.
When I'm not teaching, I enjoy singing in my church choir, cooking, watching Top Chef, dancing, and spending quality time with my family and friends. These hobbies inspire my creativity and remind me of the importance of joy, teamwork, and lifelong learning, values I love bringing into the classroom every day.
I look forward to partnering with you to make this a year filled with curiosity, growth, and unforgettable learning experiences!
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
Nelson Mandela

Hello! My name is Priscilla Serna and I am a part of the 5th grade team at Dorothy Hall Elementary School. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. My goal is to make a meaningful impact on my students by fostering a welcoming, safe, and engaging classroom environment where every child feels valued and excited to learn.                 "You never fail until you stop trying."- Albert Einstein

Hi, I am Amy Olson. I received my bachelor of music in Music Education from the University of Arizona in 2004. I’ve been teaching elementary music for 14 years here at District One. I currently hold the position as principal bassoonist for the Yuma Civic Orchestra and have been playing bassoon for over 30 years. My goal is to instill a lifelong love of music in every child. “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” - Plato

Hi, I am Jose Dorame.  I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Arizona State University in 1998.  I have been teaching in Yuma School District One for 25 years.  I am also a professional artist and belong to the North End Artists Co-Op.

Hi! I'm Claudia Gomez, and I'm thrilled to be the Physical Education Teacher! I have 9 years of teaching experience and earned my Bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University (NAU).
I'm excited to help students build confidence, learn new skills, stay active and most importantly, have fun while moving! I can't wait for an amazing year together.

Hello! My name is Ariana Enriquez, and I am excited to begin my second year at Dorothy Hall Elementary. I feel incredibly fortunate to be pursuing a career that allows me to make a positive impact in the lives of students every day.
I love the opportunity to help children learn, grow, and gain confidence in their abilities. My goal is to create a classroom environment where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to do their best. I believe that strong relationships, kindness, and meaningful learning experiences help students thrive both academically and personally.
I am grateful to be part of the Dorothy Hall family and look forward to another wonderful year of learning, growth, and success with my students and their families.

Hello! I am so excited to be joining Dorothy Hall's family as a first year teacher after previously serving as a substitute teacher with YUSD1. Teaching has always been a passion of mine and it has brought nothing but joy into my heart. I was born and raised in New York, but have called Arizona my home for the past 18 years. I am currently continuing my education at NAU to further my professional development. I am passionate about creating a safe, welcoming classroom where every student feels valued, understood, and supported. Every child learns differently, but every child is capable of achieving greatness. When I am not teaching, you can find me spending time with my husband and our children as we love to visit new places and make new memories. I look forward to partnering with your family and making this year full of growth, learning, and success! 

Hello, My name is Darnell Anthony. I am excited to begin my 3rd year at Dorothy Hall and 35th year teaching. I have attended Dr. Martin Luther College, Mankato State University, UW-Lacrosse and Wisconsin Lutheran College. I love watching my students grow in academic and social skills while gaining  independence. I believe in the power of yet and that evey student is capable of success. I won't give up and I won't give in finding the unique learning style for my students so they can become the best that they can be. "The flower that bloooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." Mulan

Hello! My name is Diana Hernandez, and I am so excited to be back at Dorothy Hall as the ESS Level B teacher! Dorothy Hall is where I began my teaching career, so returning feels like coming home. I was raised in Yuma, Arizona, and I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Northern Arizona University. Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of teaching first grade, where I discovered my passion for helping every student learn, grow, and reach their full potential. I believe every child is capable of success, and my goal is to create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, celebrated, and encouraged to become as independent as possible. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy staying active, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and spoiling my cat. I look forward to partnering with families and making this a wonderful year of learning, growth, and success!

Hi there and welcome to the 2026-2027 school year. This is my 7th year at Dorothy Hall and my 40+ year in education! Prior to becoming a School Counselor, I taught 4th and 5th grades and middle school in Yuma. I was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but decided to do a bit of seeing the country while earning my degree. I ultimately graduated from San Diego State University with my Bachelors in Education before moving to Yuma. I never gave up on my dream to become a counselor, however, and I fulfilled this goal by earning my Masters Degree at NAU Yuma. My passion is to be able to help our students academically, emotionally and behaviorally and to be a resource for parents with the goal of raising happy and productive children. Please feel free to reach out to me. "You are the only you that will ever be. You are kind of a BIG DEAL." Jen Sincero

Hi, my name is Christina Fisher. This is my 6th year at Dorothy Hall, but my 24th year. in District One. I was formerly a 1st grade teacher for 18 years. I received my Bachlors Degree in Liberal Studies from San Diego State in 2002. I also received my Masters Degree from Grand Canyon University in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Reading in 2020. I've always had a passion for working with students. Over the years my passion for reading developed when I saw the challenges some of my students had in learning to read, and the struggle of not enough time in the day. Being a reading interventionist gives me the best of both worlds because not only can I come alongside teachers to help them, but I still get to work with small groups of students to voercome reading challenges. I look forward to another great year!!