Students have fun…

Our students have fun!

Your child will be active…

Our playground

Fun and learning on the walls…

The ark on our wall

Meet our classroom faculty and staff…

Betty Gifford - 4's Teacher

CDA (Child Development Associates) Degree from Central Arizona College. Mrs. Gifford was born in West Virginia and moved to Arizona as a child. She has been teaching at TCPS since 1979. Mrs. Gifford is married with 2 sons and has 7 grandchildren. She enjoys traveling with her husband, reading, shopping, listening to music, spending time with family and is a big fan of the AZ Diamond Backs and the AZ Cardinals.

Joe Warren - 4's Teacher

Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. Mr. Warren was born in Illinois and moved to Arizona the Summer of 2004. He has been teaching since 2007 when he joined the team at TCPS. Joe enjoys reading, exercising at the gym, video games, volleyball and spending time with friends.

Shannon Drennon- 3's Teacher

AA Degree in Early Childhood Education and currently working towards her Bachlors. Mrs. Drennon was born in Utah and moved to Arizona in 1992. She grew up in Chandler, AZ and began working at TCPS in the Fall of 2002. She is married and enjoys reading, camping and spending time with family and friends.

Marla Hein - 3's Teacher

CDA (Child Development Associates) Degree working towards her AA in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Hein was born in Syracuse, NY and moved to Arizona at a very early age. Most of her life has been spent in the East Valley. Mrs. Hein has been at TCPS since 1995. She is married and is a mom and step mom to 5 children. She enjoys watching the AZ Diamondbacks, reading mystery novels, traveling, and spending time with family.

Starla McCurtain - 2's Teacher

Currently working towards her degree in education and communication. Starla was born in Chinle, Arizona and has been teaching since 2005. She joined the TCPS team in 2009. She is married and has 1 child. She enjoys spending time with family and going home to the reservation (Navajo). She also enjoys playing basketball and volleyball, the outdoors, family cookouts, fishing, games and watching movies.

Kari Twist - 2's Teacher

Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. Kari was born and raised in Arizona and is a graduate from ASU. She spent a year in East Asia on a mission trip before coming to work for TCPS in 2010. Miss Twist enjoys travelling, reading, watching movies and spending time with friends.

Amalia "Amy" Brown - Toddlers Lead Teacher

Currently working on her CDA. Mrs. Brown was born in the Philippines and moved to Arizona in 2004. She joined the TCPS staff in the Fall of 2005 where she has been teaching in our toddler department. She is married and enjoys reading, cooking, cleaning and organizing, singing, shopping and spending time with her husband.

Jalissa Dennis - Toddlers Lead Teacher

Currently working on her AAS in Early Childhood Education. Miss J was born and raised in Arizona and began teaching in 2006. We welcomed her to our team in 2010. She enjoys singing, dance, creating projects, nutrition and teaching young children.

Darlene Fischer - Infants Lead Teacher

Currently working towards her AA in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Fischer was born in Illinios and moved to Arizona the Summer of 1982. Mrs. Fischer joined the TCPS team in 2009. She has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. She is a huge fan of the Phoenix Suns, reading, hiking, swimming, biking, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Amy Maxwell - Infants Lead Teacher

AA in Early Childhood Education. Mrs Maxwell was born and raised in Arizona. She began teaching in 2004 with TCPS. She is maried and has 2 children. She enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Janice Williams - PE and Music Teacher

Degree in Theatre Arts. Mrs Williams was born in Washington and moved to Arizona in 2007 where she become employeed with TCPS. She is married with 1 child and enjoys theatre, music, dance, movies, and spending time by the water.