She attended elementary and secondary schools in Buckeye. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Arizona and completed post baccalaureate studies in secondary education from Arizona State University. She also has a master’s degree in measurement and evaluation from Western Governors’ University. As a teacher, Stacie taught economics, government, U.S. She was asked
early in her career to develop common assessments for some of those classes. While the reasons for those assessments were solid, over time she witnessed what can happen when assessments are mishandled and information is used inappropriately. This led her to pursue a master’s degree in Secondary Education with a focus on measurement and evaluation. She used that knowledge to radically change the way she measured student success. During her tenure as a teacher, Stacie worked with a wide variety of students. She started a class called Hands-on-History specifically designed for students who were at-risk of dropping out of high school. At the same time, she was teaching Advanced Placement classes for the most academically successful students. Each year she had special education students, English language learners, and students who were gifted. She spent many years advising her seniors on post-secondary decisions including whether to join the military, attend university/community college, or trade schools. She also developed curriculum designed to help students weigh the costs of college loans including the long-term financial impact. After leaving the classroom with the hope of making a broader impact, Stacie spent some time working with the Maricopa County Education Services Agency (MCESA) in the assessment department. She trained teachers on the use of data to make curricular decisions, and she also worked with subject matter experts to develop assessments. Currently, she consults with schools and programs on curriculum, assessments, and teacher training. Her hope is that she can lift some of the burden off schools so that they can focus on the joy and excitement of learning. With her background and experience, Stacie has an insider’s knowledge of the real issues in public education. She knows the difference between standards and curriculum, and what it is really like in an overcrowded classroom. She knows when and where assessments should, and should not, be used. She knows that the end goal of education is not a score on some test. And, perhaps most importantly, she knows that providing a world class education to all the students in Arizona requires that we stop pointing fingers at each other and start working together as problem solvers.