Greetings! My name is Brian Rinderknecht (Wren-der-neck-t) and I am excited to be joining the Copper Creek family this year in fourth grade math! I was born and raised along the North Carolina coast (Outer Banks), and moved to Arizona in 2011. The 2024-2025 school year will be my 13th year teaching in Arizona. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Outside of school I love to read, camp, and hike. This summer I will have officially visited all 50 states! I look forward to a great year at Copper Creek and cannot wait to get started.

Hi! My name is Elle Dunlap and I am excited to start my first year teaching at Copper Creek. I will be a K-3 Special Education Teacher. I just graduated from ASU with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. You might have seen me around this past school year. In Quarters 1 and 2 I was doing my special education student teaching. In Quarters 3 and 4 I was in 1st grade doing my student teaching. Here is a little bit about me! I am an Arizona native. I have been a gymnastics coach for almost 5 years now! In my free time, I love to golf, travel, and hang out with my friends and family. I am so excited and lucky to be able to start teaching at the Creek!

My name is Sara Quinn and I'm so blessed to be a teacher in the Deer Valley School District. Teaching is my passion and I can't imagine doing anything else. It's my desire to educate and help students to become successful. I believe in every child and know they can achieve what their heart desires with a little hard work and dedication!

I graduated from Concordia University in Irvine, CA with my bachelors degree in liberal studies. I continued on to receive my teaching certificate in 2007. After graduating I moved to Arizona and began my teaching career as a fourth grade teacher. In 2009 I took a position teaching third grade at a local charter school. In 2012 I began teaching in the Chandler Unified School District where I taught four years of self contained gifted education and then moved into a general education classroom for the next four years. In 2020 my family made the decision to move and I have been teaching at Canyon Springs Stem Academy for the last four years.

My goal as an educator is not to just have students achieve academic excellence, but to prepare each child for the future. Ultimately, I want students to leave my classroom with life-long skills and knowledge on how to be a better leader, and an all around amazing person. I believe in working together and maintaining a positive attitude at all times. School is not just about the information learned, but it is also about the relationships and connections that we make.

My husband Ricky and I have two sons, Bryson and Colton. They keep us very busy with sports and activities, however when we have time we love heading to the lake to enjoy some wakeboarding and wakesurfing. As a family, we also enjoy hiking, paddle-boarding, riding bikes, and being outdoors.

I look forward to partnering with you to make 3rd grade an incredible year for your child.

Hello Everyone,
I am excited to be a new part of this school team and of your community. It will be my pleasure to be serving as the counselor for your children. I believe this is going to be an amazing year and I’m ready to make a difference!

I have spent my entire career in education and been fortunate to have taught high school and college English, ESL (English as a Second Language) on various levels of learning, as a Reading Specialist, and as an elementary and high school counselor. I believe my background has prepared me to be able to assist both our children and staff in the best ways possible.

Since I have lived my life here in Arizona, I feel privileged to have gotten my educational background at both Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.

Please feel free to reach out at any time and introduce yourself when you see me this year. I’m looking forward to the journey!

Sincerely,
Ms. Giovanna

I'm Heidi Essert-Dini. This is my 34th year teaching in the Deer Valley School District. My first year in Deer Valley began at Esperanza Elementary School as a librarian. It was an exciting position in which I was able to make the media center the hub of the school through sponsoring various cultural activities and allowing open library time for children to explore books and book-related activities. For the next 5 years, I taught second graders at Esperanza while continuing my education working towards my Reading Specialist endorsement. In 1997, I moved to Las Brisas where I remained for the past 27 years. This year I am embarking on a new adventure at Copper Creek.
Over the years, I have taught Fifth Grade Math, along with Third, Second, First, and Kindergarten. I also worked as an instructor in SAGE (Gifted) MATH, a Reading Specialist, and an English Language Learner (ELL) Instructor. My goal as an educator is to provide a developmentally appropriate learning environment that meets the individual needs of each student through a curriculum full of engaging and relevant activities. My hope is that by providing this type of environment, each child will develop a love of learning that will stay with them throughout their lifetime.
This year I am honored to work with the K-2 gifted population. I am excited about working with students to help strengthen their thinking and problem-solving abilities. I am thrilled to be here at Copper Creek and to have the opportunity to work with such a highly-qualified, warm and caring staff.

Hello, Copper Creek Family!

I'm so thrilled to be joining the team as the new school psychologist. As a recent grad from Northern Arizona University, I'm excited to put my expertise to work supporting the educational and social-emotional growth of the students. A little about me - I'm originally from a small town in Wisconsin, which means I'm a die-hard Packers fan through and through! Outside of work, you can usually find me outdoors, whether I'm hitting the hiking trails, going for a swim, or hanging out with my two furry friends (my dogs, that is).

I am looking forward to an awesome year ahead! Go Bobcats!

I am an Arizona Native and a DVUSD graduate. This will be my 11th year in the District and 8th year here at Copper Creek. Prior to making the transition into Pre-K, I was the Lead Instructor for our Before/After School Care Program here at Copper Creek! 😀

Hi I am Alli Dockstader, I am the PTSA president at Copper Creek. I have three kids attending here. James is starting 5th grade, Charlotte is starting 3rd grade, and Lyla is starting Kindergarten.

Hi I am Jennifer Rein, I am the PTSA Vice President at Copper Creek. I have two kids attending here. Hudson is starting 5th grade and Maverick is starting 2nd grade.

Hi I am Mandy Hayes, I am the PTSA Secretary at Copper Creek. I am a Second grade teacher here at the creek. I have a strong affiliation with the creek because I attended this school here myself.

HI I am Joanna Billings, I am the PTSA Treasurer at Copper Creek. I have three kids attending here. Hannah is starting 4th grade, Connor is starting 2nd grade, and Brooklyn is starting Preschool.