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Leadership

Desert Thunder Leadership

Headshot of Stacy Ellis

Dr. Stacy E. Ellis, Principal

Email: sellis@chooseAESD.org

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 grew up in Gila Bend, Arizona. She made history in her family by becoming the first to pursue and successfully earn a Bachelor’s in Education in 2008. Five years later, she continued her academic journey at Arizona State University, obtaining both a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership.

Monica is known for her dedication and passion as an educator. She places great importance on multilingualism and biliteracy, considering them vital assets. Her goal is to foster a safe and inclusive environment where all children and staff can excel academically, culturally and linguistically.

In her personal life, Mrs. Artea-Ardon enjoys dancing, outdoor activities like hiking and jogging, tending to her garden and exploring new places with her family. She proudly identifies as a Sun Devil and is excited to be part of the Desert Thunder Eagles!

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

Desert Thunder School Community,


With great pride and gratitude, I have officially completed my first full year as principal of Desert Thunder School. It has been an incredible journey—one filled with meaningful connections, collaborative growth, and an ever-deepening commitment to our students, staff, and families. As we look forward to the new school year, I remain energized and honored to lead a school that means so much to me both professionally and personally.


Desert Thunder has been a cornerstone of my educational journey since its opening in 2004. As an original staff member, I taught middle school ELA and science before serving as Dean of Students and Assistant Principal. These roles allowed me to grow alongside this community. After serving as principal at Copper Trails for 11 years, I am thrilled to once again walk the halls of Desert Thunder—this time as your proud principal.

Focus for the Year: Visible Learning & Student Growth
This year, we will re-engage our Visible Learning initiative to help students develop a deeper understanding of their own learning process. We will introduce concepts such as the Learning Pit, teaching students to embrace challenges and see mistakes as opportunities to grow.
We will also encourage the development of the Desert Thunder learner dispositions:

  • Own – Take responsibility for your learning, actions, and growth.
  • Persevere – Keep going, even when learning gets tough.
  • Reflect – Think about what you’ve learned and how you can improve.
  • Collaborate – Work effectively and respectfully with others.
  • Think Critically – Analyze, question, and make thoughtful decisions.

These practices will empower students to take ownership of their learning and become active participants in their academic journeys.

Our Pillars & Mission
Last year, our staff identified five foundational school pillars that guide our daily work and help create an environment where every child feels secure, supported, and inspired:

  • Safety – We prioritize a secure and welcoming environment where every student feels protected and valued.
  • Academic Excellence – We strive for high standards in teaching and learning to ensure all students reach their full academic potential.
  • Communication – We foster open, respectful, and transparent communication among students, staff, families, and the community.
  • Social Emotional Competencies – We support the development of self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation to help students thrive personally and socially.
  • Positive Culture – We cultivate an inclusive school community where kindness, respect, and responsiblity are celebrated.

Rooted in these pillars is our school’s mission, which shapes every goal we set and every decision we make:
“At Desert Thunder, every student will grow as a leader, lifelong learner, and responsible citizen in a diverse world, empowered to pursue a life without limits.”

Join Us in Our Mission
As we continue to build upon this strong foundation, I invite each of you—students, families, staff, and community members—to join us in our mission. Your voice matters, and your partnership is essential as we continue to Soar to the Top… Learning, Learning, Learning!

Thank you for your continued support and trust. I am excited about what lies ahead and look forward to an amazing year of growth and achievement.

 

Dr. Stacy E. Ellis
Proud Principal
Desert Thunder School