Wildcat news

• Meet the Teacher Night is July 30 from 4:30 to 6:30.
• First day of school is August 1.
• Picture Day is Tuesday, August 6. 📸

Hello Western Valley Middle School Community,

Our dedicated teachers and staff are working hard gearing up for the new school year. Thursday, the Western Valley Middle School teachers enjoyed a fun game in the gym to unwind after a busy morning of meetings. Check out our back to school information below. We're excited to see you on July 30th for our Meet the Teacher Night!

Respectfully,

Dr. Stephanie Nardi

Principal, WVMS

Save the dates! 2 FESD Parent/Guardian Events:

BULLYING

OCTOBER 2 6PM AT WVMS

SUBSTANCE USE

DECEMBER 11 6PM AT WVMS

Both sessions will be presented in English and Spanish.

Ms. Barcelita is a native of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. She graduated from Nueva Vizcaya State University, Philippines in 2010 with the degree, Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in English. She furthered her education at Central Luzon State University, Philippines, completing her Master’s Degree in Language and Literature in February 2020. Her graduate thesis at Central Luzon State University was awarded the Best Thesis Award.

She is a Licensed Professional Teacher with seven years of teaching experience. She began her

career as an English teacher at Galvan High School, Department of Education, where she taught

for one year. In August 2018, she transferred to Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the

Philippines. At CLSU, she served as a faculty member in the Laboratory for Teaching and

Learning-University Science High School, under the College of Education's Department of

Language, Culture, and Arts Education.

Driven by a deep passion for literature, she particularly gravitates towards poetry. One of her

creative works has been published in the United States-based magazine, Mythulu. Currently,

she is actively engaged in various research projects and endeavors, including an article

published in the Scopus-indexed journal, Issues in Language Studies.

I am Tara Bent, and I am excited to bring my passion for education and extensive teaching experience to Western Valley Middle School. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in History Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Measurement, both from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

Over the past 13 years, I have honed my teaching skills in diverse educational environments, spending the last two years contributing to the academic community in Arizona. My background in educational measurement has equipped me with the skills to effectively assess and enhance student learning outcomes.

Originally from the vibrant island of Jamaica, I bring a unique cultural perspective to my teaching practice. I am dedicated to fostering an inclusive and engaging classroom environment where all students feel valued and motivated to succeed. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family—my husband and our two beautiful daughters, Isabelle and Xhuri.

Mr. Condicion believes in fostering an inclusive learning environment that empowers students to develop their language skills, cultural awareness, and global perspective in middle school. He has been teaching since 2017 and has a Bachelor's degree in secondary education in English and a Master's degree in physical education.

Mrs. France holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, with a minor in Psychology from Northern State University. With 25 years of experience in education, she has taught in both charter and private schools and has served one year as a dean of students. For over 20 years, she has been a dedicated student council advisor, forming impactful community partnerships with organizations such as the Diaper Bank of AZ and notMYkid to provide students with education and community service opportunities. Her dedication to teaching has earned her numerous accolades, including the Educator Mentor of the Year award from the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce and multiple “Golden Gator, Excellence in Teaching Awards” from Xavier College Preparatory High School. These prestigious awards recognize her as an inspirational figure to Xavier’s freshmen students. Additionally, Mrs. France has been honored by Who's Who Among America's Teachers for her significant contributions to the education of our nation’s youth.

Outside of her professional life, Mrs. France enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her family. She and her husband, Jeff, are proud parents of two children: a daughter who will be starting at Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University in the fall and a son who will be a senior at Desert Vista High School. Their youngest family member, a Shipoo named Reeses, adds joy to their household, often running the show with her playful antics.

Mr. Labrador has been teaching for ten years. He has taught both physical education and visual arts at the university and high school levels. He has a Bachelor's degree in secondary education in physical education and a Master's degree in music, arts, PE, and health education. His remarkable experience includes conducting seminars and lectures on music and art critical content in education and the pedagogical approach in teaching.

I am the 8th Grade English Language Arts teacher. Above and beyond the honor of serving Filipino students for 13 years, seeing my students succeed in life is a blessing I am most thankful for. This year, I am enthusiastic and grateful for the new opportunity to impart lessons, affect values and converge with people of diverse cultures.

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite book. Fortunate to have lived on an island (Bantayan Island, Philippines) yet smitten by the wonder of a waterfall.

Ernando Novais is a highly experienced sports professional and educator with a diverse background and 23 years of teaching experience in physical education and sports in the United States. Born in Brazil, Ernando is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, and has made a significant impact in the Arizona business, and sports community. With a lifelong passion for supporting youth development, he has taught physical education and coached various sports, including soccer, in Arizona for many years, leading teams and students to achieve their full potential.

Ernando's coaching and teaching credentials include serving as the Head Coach of the U17 girls soccer at the Arizona Olympic Development Program Region West, as well as teaching physical education to students of all ages. He has a strong track record of helping students and players develop their skills, achieve their goals, and adopt healthy lifestyles. In addition to his coaching and teaching expertise, Ernando also holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and an MBA in International Business, giving him a unique blend of sports, education, and business acumen. His vast experience and skills make him a valuable asset in the Western Valley Middle School.

I am a dedicated science educator, with nineteen years of empowering students to reach their full potential. With a Bachelor's degree in Science Education, B.Ed. Honors in Natural Science Education, Masters in Natural Science Education, and a PhD in Curriculum Studies, I have perfected my expertise in creating engaging lesson plans and fostering inclusive learning environments. My passion for education has led me to motivate students through my project Varsity Bound Learners which takes pride in molding students to grow and succeed.

Throughout my career, I have assisted students engage in research, expos, cultural activities, and sporting activities. In addition to my work in the classroom, I am dedicated team player who prides in making a positive impact on the lives of students and the broader community.