The Peoria Unified Governing Board approved the following new administrative appointments for the 2021-22 school year at a recent board meeting.
Mrs. Barb Coakley was appointed as Peoria Unified’s Director of Career and Technical Education. She replaces Dr. Patti Beltram, who has taken another position out of state. Mrs. Coakley has been with the district since 2002, serving as a substitute teacher, a math and business teacher, an assistant principal, and most recently, the director of the award-winning MET Professional Academy. Mrs. Coakley received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marketing and two Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix.
Ms. Lori Garcia was named as Peoria Unified’s Director of Special Education, following the retirement of Mrs. Holly Harper. Ms. Garcia has served the district as a special education coordinator since 2020. She came to Peoria Unified from the Alhambra School District where she held the role of Director of Exceptional Student Services. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies and two Master’s degrees in Elementary Teacher Education and Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix.
Mr. Ted Chiarello was appointed as Peoria Unified’s Director of Business Services and fills a position that has been vacant for the 2020-21 school year. Mr. Chiarello re-joins the district from the Cave Creek Unified School District where he held the role of Director of Finance. Prior to that, he served as Peoria Unified’s internal auditor for four years. He holds an Associate’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Science in Business Management from Arizona State University.
Mr. Mark Harman will take on the position as principal of Alta Loma Elementary School, following the retirement of Ms. Connie Witte. Mr. Harman has been with Peoria Unified since 2007, serving as a special education teacher, and most recently, an assistant principal at Alta Loma. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.
Dr. Carlos Perez was appointed to the position of principal at Country Meadows Elementary School, following the retirement of Mr. Terry Balliet. Dr. Perez will join Peoria Unified from the Anaheim Elementary School District as principal of James Guinn Elementary School. Prior to his principal appointment in Anaheim, Dr. Perez served as an assistant principal in several schools in the Anaheim Union High School District. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Humanities from the University of California. Dr. Perez earned his Master’s of Science degree in Administration from Pepperdine University and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern California.
Ms. Erin Gonzales was appointed the position of principal at Desert Valley Elementary School. She replaces Ms. Tonja Neve, who is moving to the East Coast. Ms. Gonzales has been with Peoria Unified since 2004, serving as a fourth grade teacher, a curriculum specialist, an instructional coach, a Title I Coordinator and most recently, a Teacher on Assignment in a leadership role at Cheyenne Elementary School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.
Mrs. Marieka Michaud will take the helm as principal at Ira A. Murphy Elementary School. She replaces Ms. Aubree Mills, who will be the new principal at Foothills Elementary. Mrs. Michaud joins Peoria Unified from the Tolleson Elementary School District, where she serves as an assistant principal. She previously held the position of Dean of Students, data specialist and an elementary school teacher. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.
Ms. Rebecca Hiner was appointed to the position of principal at Pioneer Elementary School following the retirement of Mr. David Snyder. Ms. Hiner was hired in 2006 as a teacher at Pioneer and has served other roles including 21st Century Community Learning Center Coordinator and Title 1 Interventionist. In 2018, she was appointed as the Assistant Principal at Pioneer Elementary. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Master of Arts in Education degree from the University of Phoenix. She received another Master of Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.
The Vision of the Peoria Unified School District is “Every student, every day, prepared to shape tomorrow.” For more information, visit the district’s website at peoriaunified.org.
