On behalf of ASU Preparatory Academy, we want to recognize our outstanding education support personnel for their significant contributions to our school and students. Meet our incredible 2023 Staff Member of the Year nominees:
Mollie Patten, Learning Success Coach
ASU Prep Digital
Mollie Patten is a Learning Success Coach with ASU Prep’s Math Momentum Team. She enjoys working alongside passionate, innovative colleagues and curious, thoughtful middle school mathematicians. The heart of her work involves celebrating and supporting student progress, brainstorming and planning with teachers, and connecting with her partner district. She also ensures that all requirements are fulfilled with enrollments, scheduling, and testing. Mollie has her undergraduate degree from ASU and it is what led her to apply for the Learning Success Coach role.
Yessica Flores, Administrative Assistant
ASU South Phoenix
Yessica Flores is an Administrative Assistant at South Phoenix High School. This is her second year in education and as a member of the ASU Prep team. In her role, she manages the school budget, inventory, school functions, and assists and provides guidance to all staff members. Prior to ASU Prep she was a Business Manager in the property management industry for 10 years. She decided to change career paths and is loving her current position.
Liliana Grijalva, Academic Coach
ASU Prep Phoenix
Lily Grijalva is a dedicated technology-loving educator who has worked with teachers and students to challenge themselves in the classroom to improve student learning. Lily has 17 years in education, and for the past nine years at ASU Prep she has worked as a teacher and now supports teachers as an Academic Coach. She holds a Master of Administration and Leadership from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Educational Technology from ASU. She is a first-generation school graduate, and believes that everyone is able to learn and accomplish goals that others may think of as impossible.
Amy Danielson, Registrar
ASU Prep Poly
Amy Danielson is the lead Registrar for the Poly K-12 campus and provides guidance to all Registrar team members across the network. This is her seventh year as a member of the ASU Prep staff. Amy earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She believes in supporting our parents and students in the registration process, which helps pave the way to building long-lasting relationships with the school.
Kacey McCan, IT Operations Manager
ASU Prep Academy
Kacey McCan is a passionate IT manager who provides operational solutions to our students and staff across all of ASU Prep. She has eight years of IT support expertise and is entering her third school year at ASU Prep. Kacey completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of South Florida and has continued her education through various training and certifications. She has a curious mind and is dedicated to identifying innovative systems and outcomes that support our staff and ASU Prep learners on a daily basis.
Kim Mitchell, Learning Facilitator
ASU Polytechnic
Kim Mitchell is a devoted Learning Facilitator who provides support for our middle school and high school math immersion students and teachers at ASU Prep Poly. This is her 10th year in education and her ninth year at ASU Prep. She adores the students and strives to find methods to help each of them succeed. Kim believes in ASU Prep’s culture and vision so much that her son has attended our school since kindergarten. He is now in his junior year and is looking forward to continuing his education as a Sun Devil.
Loralee Castillo Panagakis, Reading Interventionist
ASU Prep Phoenix
Loralee Castillo Panagakis is a Reading Interventionist and has been at ASU Prep for two years. She has 24 years of teaching experience, and believes learning never stops. Raised in the old Atrisco Land grant area of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and having grown up in a bilingual home and community, she learned that with hard work and dedication dreams can become reality. She earned her Master of Education specializing as a Program Reading Specialist from Liberty University and is currently working on a Master in Educational Leadership at ASU. She is a current National Board Candidate for Early and Middle Childhood/Literacy: Reading-Language Arts.
Fallon Roberts, Human Capital Manager
ASU Prep Academy
Fallon Roberts is a Human Resources professional who is passionate about the employee experience. This is her fifth year in Human Resources, and second year with the Human Capital team at ASU Prep. Fallon earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from San Francisco State University, and recently earned her Society of Human Resources certification. She believes in fostering a positive culture for all by offering exceptional internal customer service that supports all employees in their work.
Brian Ross, Dean of Students
ASU Prep Casa Grande
Brian Ross is the Dean of Students at ASU Prep Casa Grande. This is his 23rd year in education and seventh year as part of the Casa Grande team. Brian earned his Bachelor of Science in General Biology and Master of Education in Teaching and Teacher Education from the University of Arizona. He believes that all decisions in education should be student-centered, that all students have the capacity for growth, and that restorative practices help build relationships between students and educators of every level.
Andrea Swayze, Speech Language Pathologist
ASU Prep Digital
Andrea Swayze is a Speech-Language Pathologist serving digital middle and high school students. Her role includes case management, therapy, evaluations, as well as collaboration with each student’s academic team. This is her second year at ASU Prep Digital and her 21st as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Andrea earned her degrees from University of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic University, and Northcentral University. Andrea was drawn to the profession after receiving successful speech therapy as a child. She believes all students thrive when a quality relationship is nurtured and students feel respected as individuals. She is supporting the future of Speech-Language Pathology by guiding intern clinicians each semester.
Tracy Patrum, Learning Success Coach
ASU Prep Digital
Tracy Patrum is a Learning Success Coach who provides guidance and support to students and families in all aspects of their high school journey. This is her third year at ASU Prep Digital and her 20th year in education. Tracy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Loras College and her Master of Science in Counselor Education from the University of Wisconsin Platteville. She believes that the most important thing she can do for her students and families is to be a light in their day. Her goal is to leave people feeling supported, happier, and more hopeful after each conversation.
Allison Voltaire, Elementary Principal
ASU Prep Digital
Allison Voltaire serves as the Digital Elementary Principal. This is her 17th year as an educator, her 11th year as a Digital educator, and her third year as a proud ASU Sun Devil. Allison has a Master in Educational Leadership from American College of Education as well as a Master in Curriculum and Instruction: Technology for Educators from Grand Canyon University. Her leadership philosophy is that every year should be every student’s best year ever, which she strives to blend in with ASU Prep’s Core Values every day.
Amanda Wojtalik, Dean of Students
ASU Polytechnic
