Desert Thunder School

Desert Thunder Leadership

Headshot of Stacy Ellis

Dr. Stacy E. Ellis, Acting Principal

Stacy E. Ellis is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience in the Avondale Elementary School District. Throughout her career, she has served in various roles, including middle school ELA and science teacher, student advisor, administrator at STAR academy and assistant principal. For the past eleven years, she served as the principal at Copper Trails School. Dr. Ellis now serves as the proud principal at Desert Thunder School.

Dr. Ellis has a strong educational background, having earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University. She has also pursued further education and completed her law degree from the ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law and her doctorate at ASU's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.

Dr. Ellis is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and engaging learning environment for all students. She is a strong advocate for student success and works closely with teachers, staff and families to ensure that every student has the resources and support they need to achieve their goals. Through her leadership, Dr. Ellis strives to create a culture of excellence at Desert Thunder School.

Headshot of Monica Artea-Ardon

Monica Artea-Ardon, Assistant Principal

Email: martea@chooseAESD.org

Monica Artea-Ardon was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in Gila Bend, Arizona. She made family history by becoming the first to pursue and successfully obtain a Bachelor’s in Education in 2008, followed by a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership five years later from Arizona State University.

Mrs. Artea-Ardon brings 16 years of experience to the education field. She spent seven years teaching as a Spanish Dual Language teacher in Phoenix. In 2015, she transitioned to the role of Master Teacher and later advanced to the district level as the Curriculum Specialist for Language Acquisition.

She is recognized as a dedicated and passionate educator. She deeply values multilingualism and biliteracy, viewing them as significant assets. Her commitment is to create a safe, inclusive environment where all children and staff can achieve academic, cultural, and linguistic excellence.

Outside her professional life, Mrs. Artea-Ardon enjoys dancing, engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking and jogging, nurturing plants in her garden, and exploring new destinations with her family. She is thrilled to call herself a Desert Thunder Eagle!

Tina Aguilar, Dean of Students

Email: taguila@chooseaesd.org

Tina Aguilar is from Texas and enjoys visiting her family there. She also loves spending time with her family in Arizona. Her mother was a teacher for 30 years, and her husband and daughter are also teachers.

Mrs. Aguilar has served Desert Thunder in various capacities for 20 years. Her love for students and passion for helping them succeed continue to drive her as a committed educator and leader.

Mrs. Aguilar started her teaching career as a 6th-grade math teacher and continued in that role for four years. She completed one year of 7th/8th-grade math and 10 years of 8th-grade math. Mrs. Aguilar then transitioned to a Master Teacher, where she had the opportunity to support the teachers on campus. In February, she accepted the position as Dean of Students, where she is currently serving.

Mrs. Aguilar has a Master’s in Elementary Education with an emphasis in mathematics from Arizona State University. She is completing her second Master's in Educational Leadership through Western Governors University. Her love for learning continues to be a driving force that pushes her to continue being a lifelong learner.

One of the best things about being at Desert Thunder for 20 years are the students and parents who come back to see her. Investing time, energy, and love has many treasured benefits that Mrs. Aguilar will always hold dear to her heart.

Principal’s Message

Dear Desert Thunder School Community,

With great excitement and anticipation, I extend my warmest greetings to every member of the Desert Thunder family. As your principal, I am honored to continue this journey with all of you, striving for excellence as we Soar to the Top… Learning, Learning, Learning!

For those who may not know me yet, my name is Dr. Stacy Ellis, and I am deeply privileged to lead Desert Thunder School. This institution has been a cornerstone of my professional journey since its opening year in 2004. I had the honor of being an original staff member, teaching middle school ELA and science. I then progressed to the roles of Dean of Students and Assistant Principal, experiences that deeply rooted Desert Thunder in my heart. My time here has profoundly influenced both my professional and personal life. Over the past 11 years, I have served as the principal at Copper Trails School, where I have observed the growth, resilience, and vibrant spirit that define Desert Thunder.

Following in the footsteps of my esteemed mentors, Dr. Janet Beason and Mr. Wayne Deffenbaugh, I am committed to fostering a culture of open communication, trust, and mutual respect. I invite each member of our community to actively participate in shaping the future of Desert Thunder School as we work towards our collective vision of educational excellence.

In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to getting to know you better and listening to your insights, ideas, and aspirations for our school. Together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

Thank you for entrusting me with the privilege of serving as your principal. Let us embrace the journey ahead with optimism, resilience, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Warm regards,

Dr. Stacy E. Ellis
Principal