Mrs. Cara Bennett (English) Cara is the new teacher for the English side of the kindergarten curriculum. She has a masters degree in Elementary Education and as well as a Communication degree and a minor in Spanish from Arizona State University. She loves being a kindergarten teacher and has taught kindergarten for 7 years. She believes in the FLI program and all of its benefits, and is so excited to be a part of this new opportunity for our children. Cara's roots at the school run deep, as her grandfather worked in the district as a Physical Education teacher for 30 years before retiring from SPTA in 1986. Cara has many happy memories of the school and is thrilled to be coming to SPTA to teach kindergarten in the FLI program! Cara will be in classroom 206, and may be reached at cbennett@creightonschools.org.
Senora Ana Contreras (Spanish) Ana is the new teacher for the Spanish side of the kindergarten curriculum. She was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and came to live in Arizona when she was 2 years old. She has many treasured memories of attending a traditional elementary school, where she spent 6 yeas in a bilingual classroom to further her education in Spanish. She received her degree in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University in 2007 with a minor in Spanish. Her student teaching was completed in Managua, Nicaragua at the American Nicaraguan school, and from this experience she was able to see how many cultures and two languages can co-exist in one thriving school. If parents have any questions or concerns, she encourages them to call or send a note, or to just drop in. She is always happy to talk to the families of her students! Ana will be in classroom 207, and may be reached at acontreras@creightonschools.org when the school year begins.
First Grade
Senora Laura Palmero (Spanish) Ms. Laura Palmero has been working in Creighton school district for ten years. She is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Education Sciences with a major in Elementary Education. Prior to teaching in the United States, she taught all grades in Spanish (1-8 except for 3rd grade) in her home country. She holds an Arizona K-8 Elementary Education Teaching Certificate as well K-12 Bilingual, Reading and Early Childhood Endorsements. As an educator, she truly enjoys her job and the opportunity that she will have as a member of the Spanish Immersion Team. She is thrilled to be teaching in Spanish again after 10 years and to be part of the Squaw Peak Traditional Academy! She looks forward to a wonderful and exciting year together! Please contact Laura at spalmero@creightonschools.org
Ms. Susan Churchill (English) Ms. Susan Churchill has been a teacher in the Creighton School District for the past eighteen years. She has studied many reading methods and currently holds a Reading Endorsement, as well as endorsements in English as a Second Language, Art, and a Master’s Degree in Education. She is happy to be a part of Squaw Peak’s foreign language immersion program and is thrilled to be working with a school and community that values high academic standards. Ms. Churchill looks forward to meeting and working with you and your children!
Administration
Mrs. Faith Burtamekh (Principal) Mrs. Burtamekh is the new Principal of Squaw Peak Traditional Academy! She graduated from San Francisco State University in 1998, and earned her Masters in Educational Leadership, with honors, in 2003. She previously taught in a dual language multi-age classroom, where she taught 3rd and 4th grade, as well as a 7th and 8th grade yearbook/journalism elective. When asked about this becoming the new principal at SPTA, Faith said, "I am excited at the opportunity we have at SPTA to build a program that allows children to acquire a second language and develop an understanding and appreciation for other cultures. It's an exciting time for both SPTA and our district and I am ecstatic about working with the community, staff, students and parents of SPTA to not only build an amazing school that meets the diverse needs of all students at SPTA but also supports our district's vision and goals for moving up." Please join the PTO in welcoming Faith Burtamekh to SPTA! Faith can be reached at fburtamekh@creightonschools.org
Mrs. Amy Fasula-Burgess (Foreign Language Liaison) This is Amy’s 7th year teaching in the district. She has taught Kindergarten, Reading intervention K-6th grade and is currently the Technology Literacy Specialist for all grades K - 8, as well as the school's liaison for the Foreign Language Immersion Program. Amy graduated summa cum-laude from Arizona State University, with a degree in multilingual/multicultural education, and her master's degree in educational administration in 2006. She is currently working toward her Ed.D in the DELTA Doctoral program at ASU and anticipates graduating this spring of 2010. Teaching was a natural avenue for Amy, as she has always liked working with children of all ages and wants to be a positive influence in children's lives. Amy loves her students, and they are the reason she teaches. She says that, "every day brings a new experience and challenge." Some of Amy's goals for the year include starting a self-esteem group for SPTA's middle school girls, and developing international pseudo pen-pals for different grade levels. Please contact Amy at aburgess@creightonschools.org
