Lakin Prep Teachers & Staff

We’ve worked hard to bring you the best administrators, teachers, and staff possible, and we are excited for you to meet them. They care about our mission and vision and are looking forward to bringing great things to pass. Please feel free to contact them; communication is the key to success.

Administration


No contacts found.

  • Durazo Dr. Nicole
    Dr. Nicole Durazo Principal durazo.nicole@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Stockton, California

    Hobbies: Reading, traveling, spending time with family  

    Favorite Subject: Math and Science   

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    I am excited to be at Lakin to leave a legacy as we build a safe, positive learning environment focused on an inquiry-based approach, world-mindedness, and biliteracy.


    Nicole Durazo

Office Support


No contacts found.

  • Bojorquez Stephanie
    Stephanie Bojorquez Administrative Secretary bojorquez.stephanie@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona 

    Hobbies: Traveling, shopping, and spending time with my family. 

    Favorite Subject: Math 

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school?
    I am so excited to be a part of the Lion Pride family. I look forward to meeting all of our lions, parents, and community. Vamos Leones! 


    Stephanie Bojorquez
  • Hedges Diane
    Diane Hedges Librarian hedges.diane@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Hoquiam, Washington

    Hobbies: Travel, visiting museums, and reading. 

    Favorite Subject: Science 

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school
    I like being a part of a team that starts with a dream and then builds it into a wonderful reality! As a child, I enjoyed hearing and reading stories, I want to share that joy with our students.


    Diane Hedges
  • Martinez Denise
    Denise Martinez Office Support Specialist Sr. martinez.denise@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown
    South Phoenix, AZ

    Hobbies
    All things Disney, baking, traveling, UTV trail riding, going to the casino, and trips with family.

    Favorite Subject
    Math

    Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school?
    I'm so excited to be a part of the Lion pride family. I look forward to meeting the Lakin Prep families, community partners, and students.


    Denise Martinez
  • Ricci Pamela
    Pamela Ricci Nurse ricci.pamela@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown
    Born in Porterville. Grew up in Tulare. Last lived in Atascadero

    Hobbies
    I like visit national parks, camp, and go to music festivals. I love to garden and play with my grandchildren.

    Favorite Subject
    Football and hiking

    Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school?
    I am excited to help start a new school, meet new teachers, and students.


Related Services


No contacts found.

  • Bowden Toni
    Toni Bowden Social Worker bowden.toni@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio 

    Hobbies: Exercise, basketball, pets

    Favorite Subject: PE and Art 

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school
    I am excited and honored to be at Lakin! I look forward to providing students with an intentional space to have their voices heard. Our students and their families are key members of our community as future world leaders, and I am honored to be able to assist in building an amazing community at Lakin Prep Academy. I will support students to the very best of my ability! Go Lions!


  • Clouse Carla
    Carla Clouse Reading Interventionist / Resource clouse.carla@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

    Hobbies: Singing, piano, gardening, family and friends

    Favorite Subject: Math, Music  

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    I am excited to be at Lakin! I am happy to meet new people and collaborate with them. I totally enjoy working with my resource and reading students. Every day I learn something new from them and about them. I like teaching my students how to become independent learners and enjoy watching not only their progress but their increasing eagerness to read, write, and do math.


    Carla Clouse
  • Kalle Sallar
    Sallar Kalle Psychologist kalle.sallar@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

    Hobbies: Reading, hiking, golfing, working out, traveling, and trying out new restaurants. 

    Favorite Subject: History 

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school
    I am inspired to make a difference in a child's life by advocating for their needs. I am also here as a resource to guide, assist, and problem-solve with teachers, staff, students, and parents whenever needed.


    Sallar Kalle

Teachers

Kindergarten


No contacts found.

  • Montano Laura
    Laura Montano Kindergarten montano.laura@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Goodyear, AZ

    Hobbies: Trying new and exotic snacks, road trips with friends and family, Bingo!!!, collecting miniatures, or anything butterflies!! 

    Favorite Subject: Mathematics, Reading, Science, and the Arts 

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    I am excited to be a Lakin lion and to watch my students grow in this learning garden we call Kinder! Becoming a teacher was always my passion, and I am beyond blessed for all the memories made within and outside the classroom over the years. I am thankful for class parents and families for all of their support and love for their Lion ? cub in learning and growing.


    Laura Montano
  • Salvador Roca Ana
    Ana Salvador Roca Kindergarten salvadorroca.ana@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Valencia

    Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, cooking, theatre lessons, crafts 

    Favorite Subject: Math 

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    I feel very fortunate to be part of Lakin's staff, and to have the opportunity to see how a school is born and to be able to be a part of them, together with the great personal and human qualities of my colleagues, makes me feel extremely blessed. Being a teacher allows you to sow the seeds of the future, to be able to transmit the best of yourself to future citizens. It is a great responsibility. My vocation has always been as a kindergarten teacher. I like the way of working, the innocence of the children, their naivety... I love to see that children always see the world with children's eyes: no taboos, no stereotypes... they are genuine.


    Ana Salvador Roca

First Grade


No contacts found.

  • Martinez Zabala Carlos Maria
    Carlos Maria Martinez Zabala 1st Grade zabala.carlos@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Cartagena España

    Hobbies: Doing sports, reading, and traveling

    Favorite Subject: Math   

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    So excited to be in the United States working in a brand-new school like this. So glad to be part of Lakin. Vamos Leones!


    Carlos Martinez Zabala
  • Paul Rebecca
    Rebecca Paul 1st Grade paul.rebecca@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Salem, Missouri

    Hobbies: Reading, photography 

    Favorite Subject: English   

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    I became a teacher because I needed someone at school who believed in me as a kid - now I get to be that person for my students! I am excited to join the first-grade team at Lakin because I get to help students build their reading foundations for their school careers. Lakin is an amazing school because our students get a high-quality education in both English and Spanish, and I am excited to see how much we grow and achieve as a team.


    Rebecca Paul

Second Grade


No contacts found.

  • Rodriguez Gloria
    Gloria Rodriguez 2nd Grade rodriguez.gloria@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Goodyear, Arizona

    Hobbies: play volleyball and work out at the gym

    Favorite Subject: Writing   

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach
    I do love the dual language program, and I'm so happy to be a part of it. I started tutoring with middle school kids and fell in love with the idea of teaching and making such a difference to kids. I have taught mostly in third grade most of my years, and it's nice to have a change and do second grade. This would be my third year teaching second grade, and I do like it. I enjoy teaching the writing part on my side since we are a dual language school.


    Gloria Rodriguez
  • Torrero Piazza Marta
    Marta Torrero Piazza 2nd Grade torreropiazza.marta@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Sevilla

    Hobbies: Doing sports, reading, painting, going to the theater, and languages in general

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?: I'm excited to be at Lakin because I am learning more than ever. I became a teacher thanks to my English teacher, Carmen. She was an inspiration for me, a model. I love teaching in general, it doesn't matter what subject. Second grade is my favorite grade, absolutely. I love children's curiosity and how they react to learning new things.


    Marta Torrero Piazza

Third Grade


No contacts found.

  • Perez Jimenez Gloria
    Gloria Perez Jimenez 3rd Grade
    Additional information

    Hometown: Louisville, Colorado

    Hobbies: The Arts, traveling, and reading

    Favorite Subject: Social Studies   

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    I am so happy to be the third-grade teacher at Lakin Prep Academy this year. It's always exciting to be part of a new staff at a brand-new school. We want to set a strong positive foundation for future LPA students. In addition, teaching third grade has always been my favorite grade to teach, because it's a year where students can show much academic growth, confidence, and independence to prepare for further learning. As an educator, I want to ensure my students go on with excellent academic learning and life skills for future success in the real world. Hopefully, to become "caring, confident world-minded people" who make an impact in their community. Vamos Leones!


    Gloria Perez Jimenez

Fourth Grade


No contacts found.

  • Vliek Rachel
    Rachel Vliek 4th Grade vliek.rachel@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI

    Hobbies: Arts & Crafts, Cooking, YouTube 

    Favorite Subject: Science 

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    I am excited to be at Lakin because it is a brand-new beautiful school. I have always enjoyed children and teaching them, so becoming a teacher was natural to me. I love fourth grade because this is the age where their personalities start to shine through. They are old enough to learn and young enough to know they don't it all.


    Rachel Vliek

Fifth Grade


No contacts found.

  • Wilson Marrissa
    Marrissa Wilson 5th Grade
    Additional information

    Hometown: Goodyear, Arizona

    Hobbies: Dance, Crochet, Learning 

    Favorite Subject: English Language Arts

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    My teaching journey began with preschool students in 2020. I started teaching a month before the pandemic, so I've had quite the experience. I love teaching because I'm certain that it is my purpose in this life. I am excited to be at Lakin Prep because of our incredible staff, new facilities, and our goal to become an International Baccalaureate school. When I was in high school, I participated in IB, and it was incredibly impactful to my learning. I'm looking forward to seeing the students at Lakin Prep be impacted positively by this world-minded and rigorous program. 


    Marrissa Wilson
  • Barnes Kelsey
    Kelsey Barnes 5th Grade barnes.kelsey@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: El Paso, Texas

    Hobbies: Softball, crafting and binge watching tv

    Favorite Subject: Math   

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach
    I am excited to be at Lakin because this staff makes coming to work every day enjoyable, and the students here are outstanding and kind. I love teaching fifth-grade math and science because we have fun and learn a lot! I became a teacher because I love to help others, and I get to do that every day!


    Kelsey Barnes

Special Areas


No contacts found.

  • Latu Gianina
    Gianina Latu Music latu.gianina@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: New Port Richey, Florida

    Hobbies: Gardening, Community Engagement

    Favorite Subject: Music   

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    I'm excited to be at Lakin because of the world-embracing education we will provide as an IB dual-language school! I became a music educator to create opportunities for children to explore and learn about the world around them through music.

     


    Gianina Latu
  • Parker Terri
    Terri Parker Art Teacher
    Additional information

    Hometown: Sarasota, Florida

    Hobbies: Art, Graphic Design, Makerspace, Gallery Exhibits, my online Print on Demand Shops, Film/TV Production, Animation, Theater, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Ecology, STREAM, singing, flowers, animals, movies & TV, amusement parks/Disney. The more upside-down roller coasters, the better.  

    Favorite Subject: All forms of Art  

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    Because you're so open to new ideas & ways of self-expression. New school, new Art room! New friends. Because I love working with people of all ages. My younger students are especially awesome because they're so open to new ideas & willing to discover their own inner sparks of talent, creativity, & exploration.


    Terri Parker
  • Thornton Kellen
    Kellen Thornton PE thornton.kellen@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Chicago, Illinois 

    Hobbies: Family Gatherings, Basketball, Xbox  

    Favorite Subject: PE  

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach?
    I'm proud to be a Lakin Lion because of its strong emphasis on student academic success, a supportive staff, and the innovative teaching methods. I became an educator to be able to help foster and guide young inspiring minds. Teaching has given me the opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives, share my knowledge, and shape the next generation. Seeing students actively engage in physical activities, while promoting their well-being, and witnessing their progress in terms of physical skills and personal growth are reasons I'm a physical education teacher. PE teachers also give you the opportunity to instill lifelong healthy habits in students and be a positive influence on their overall wellness journey. Go Lions!!


    Kellen Thornton

Student Achievement Coach


No contacts found.

  • Wasbotten Elliot
    Elliot Wasbotten Student Achievement Coach wasbotten.elliot@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Hudson, Ohio

    Hobbies: Music, Hanging out with my family and friends, road trips, and trying new foods!

    Favorite Subject: American Sign Language!   

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? Why you became an educator? Why do you love the grade level/subject you teach
    I am excited to be a Lakin Lion! I am a firm believer that all children have the ability to learn, but all children do not learn the same way. I believe that we as educators must always continue to grow in our own practices so that we can provide the best learning experiences for all of our kids. Go Lions!


    Elliot Wasbotten

School Support


No contacts found.

  • Hernandez Luis Angel
    Luis Angel Hernandez Permanent Substitute
    Additional information

    Hometown
    Phoenix, Arizona

    Hobbies
    Gardening and Jogging

    Favorite Subject
    Reading and writing

    Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school?
    I am excited to be at Lakin because I am happy to work with every grade as a substitute and getting to know everyone! The close knit environment is pleasant. What inspired me to work at a school is when I began doing community service in high school. I went to 1st and 2nd grade classrooms to help, and I enjoyed being in the room.


  • Oblea Aracely
    Aracely Oblea Paraprofessional - Early Childhood oblea.aracely@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown: Palm Springs, California 

    Hobbies: Crafts and spending time with family 

    Favorite Subject: Reading 

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school?
    Excited to be here and have the opportunity to see students grow and learn.


    Aracely Oblea
  • Soriano Vladimir
    Vladimir Soriano Paraprofessional - Resource soriano.vladimir@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown
    Anaheim, CA

    Hobbies
    Playing video games, watching anime, and reading.

    Favorite Subject
    History

    Message
    I'm excited to be at Lakin because it gives me a chance to learn and grow alongside a brand-new school!


  • Thompson Jennifer
    Jennifer Thompson Dynamic Digital Communicator/Gradebook Tech thompson.jennifer@littletonaz.org
    Additional information

    Hometown
    Peoria, AZ

    Hobbies
    Spending time with family, roller skating, bowling, and cooking

    Favorite Subject
    Science!

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school? 
    I am excited to work with and support all of the amazing teachers at Lakin, as well as document all of the wonderful things happening at the school through our social media. I became an educator because I had amazing educators that inspired me (including both of my parents!). I love teaching teachers in all grade levels because I love seeing the transfer of the skills taught into their classrooms.


    Jennifer Thompson

Custodial Staff


No contacts found.

  • Aguilar Cruz Martin
    Martin Aguilar Cruz Lead Custodian
    Additional information

    Hometown: Mexico

    Hobbies: Read and hiking

    Favorite Subject: Social Sciences 

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school
    I like new challenges, and is close to my home. I like to keep the school clean and safe for students and the community.


  • Soriano Kamilah
    Kamilah Soriano Night Custodian
    Additional information

    Hometown: Mexico

    Hobbies: painting

    Favorite Subject: Art

    Message: Why you are excited to be at Lakin? What inspired you to work at a school
    I like the work environment.