School Improvement & Program Development

  • Federal Programs and Grants

    Amy Christopher, Director of School Improvement and Program Development
    Phone: 623-772-2294
    Email: achristopher@pesd92.org 

    Rachel Watson, Federal Programs & Grants Specialist
    Phone: 623-772-2293 
    Email: rwatson@pesd92.org 

    McKinney-Vento Homeless/Foster Student Services

    Johnny Martinez, McKinney-Vento Homeless/Foster Care Point of Contact
    Phone: 623-772-2392
    Email: McKinney-Vento - mckinneyvento@pesd92.org | Foster Care - fosterpoc@pesd92.org

    Title I Parent & Family Engagement

    Angelica Martinez, Parent & Family Educator
    Phone: 623-772-2361
    Email: amartinez@pesd92.org 

    Community Education

    Martha Linares, Administrative Assistant
    Phone: 623-772-2319 
    Email: mlinares@pesd92.org

    Claudia Oliveros Sosa, PRIDE Club - Before and After School Program Lead
    Phone: 623-772-2323 
    Email: coliverossosa@pesd92.org 

    Abelina Beltran Escalante, PRIDE Club Enrollment Services
    Phone: 623-772-2322
    Email: prideclub@pesd92.org 

    Pendergast Family Resource Center

    Betsy Musson, Family Resource Center Coordinator
    Phone: 623-772-2339
    Email: bmusson@pesd92.org 

    School Social Workers

    Amparo Medina Perez, Copper King / Villa de Paz
    Email: amedinaperez@pesd92.org

    Anna Wilson, Sonoran Sky / Westwind
    Email: awilson@pesd92.org 

    Evelin Flores, Amberlea / Desert Horizon
    Email: eflores@pesd92.org 

    Areas of Responsibility

    The Department of School Improvement & Program Development oversees compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA is the federal law signed into effect in 20215 that governs elementary and secondary education across the United States. The Department also applies for and manages other federal, state, or local grants that provide additional resources across the district.

    Responsibilities include:

    • Providing support to district and school staff to ensure compliance with programmatic and fiscal requirements required by federal and state law
    • Offering assistance to schools in using all government or other grant related funds to support quality educational programming for all students in order to raise academic achievement
    • Supporting and developing quality extended day programs, including before and after-school care, tutoring and summer school
    • Collaborating with school and district-based staff and with federal, state, and local agencies on programming or grant efforts to benefit students and families within the Pendergast Elementary School District, including a focus on community education and parent and family engagement

    Strategic Plan Goals

    Community Engagement:

    • Expand the Title I Parent & Family Educator Program to provide additional workshops and resources aligned to the needs of our parents and communities
    • Establish a K-8 district parent advisory committee

    Student Learning & Wellness:

    • Expand after-school programing availability to all schools
    • Coordinate district-wide literacy tutoring program to increase student literacy skill development

    Operational Excellence:

    • Support school administrator audit of multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) implementation to inform continuous school improvement efforts
    • Provide resources and training on evidence-based strategies for schools to support the development and implementation of school improvement plans to enable student learning and wellness

    Our Mission

    Our mission is to provide educational and supplemental resources, services, and programs to ensure positive outcomes for all students, including underserved young people, and to develop a continuum of support for children and adults within the Pendergast community.

    Points of Pride

    • Work collaboratively with district and site leaders to support the school improvement process
    • Timely and accurate grant reporting and compliance monitoring of federal programs
    • Provide a high-quality parent/family engagement program which includes a focus on families with children birth to age five and parents of English language learners
    • Provide affordable, quality before and after school programs
    • School social workers support and enhance student and family emotional well-being and are an integral link between school, home, and the community