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Email Dr. Slaydon

It is an honor to return for the 2023-2024 school year as Principal of Bella Vista Elementary School. I hope that this letter finds you enjoying the rejuvenating days of summer and that you and your children are looking forward to beginning a wonderful school year together in August. I can assure you that I share in this school community’s commitment to providing a safe and caring learning environment for your children each and every day while providing quality instruction.

This is my second year in Sierra Vista as an experienced teacher and administrator, but in addition to my role as an educator, I am a mother and a wife. In August, my son Stephen turns four and will be attending preschool this year.

The 2023-2024 school year will mark my 17th year in education. Since graduating from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, I have taught middle school students in Fayetteville, North Carolina for seven years before becoming a school administrator. While teaching, I completed my first Master’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in mathematics from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in 2010 and continued teaching math. Although I have always felt at home in the classroom, it is in my position as a school administrator where I have been most fulfilled in my life’s work. I completed my second Master’s degree in the area of Educational Leadership from Fayetteville State University in North Carolina in 2012. After graduation, I gained valuable administrator experiences by being a high school assistant principal as well as an assistant principal at a Pre-K-8th grade school in Warrenton, North Carolina. During my tenure in North Carolina, I started working on my Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership with the focus on Curriculum and Instruction. In 2019 I relocated to Carlsbad, New Mexico to be closer to my parents who live in Arizona since I was pregnant with my son Stephen.  I served as the assistant principal at a sixth grade academy in Carlsbad and completed my Doctorate degree before permanently relocating to Arizona in 2020. Prior to relocating to Sierra Vista, I was the assistant principal at Cactus Middle School in Casa Grande, AZ for two years.  As my son grows older, my husband and I realized the importance of being close to family. This transition to Sierra Vista allows my son to grow up with his Nana and Pap Pap being fifteen minutes away. 

This elementary principalship provides me the chance to work collaboratively with teachers on a daily basis, while also remaining connected to young students learning and growing in the classroom. I firmly believe that every child can excel and that the partnership between home and school builds confidence in students to use their powers to shape their future and the future of our community and our nation. I am excited to have a partnership between home and school and invite parents to be part of their child’s education. 

My conversations with district staff and stakeholders over the last few months have brought me privileged insights into the core beliefs and values that underlie the Sierra Vista Unified School District. With my goal of continuing the tradition of excellence here at Bella Vista Elementary School, I am committed to always exploring new ways to meet the needs of all students and to more effectively communicate with parents and community members. We will be meeting with parents, students, and as a staff throughout the year to identify specific goals in the areas of student achievement, school climate, and parent communication. 

To our students, I cannot wait to see you again! I hope that you are excited for this coming school year. It is going to be a fun year learning together. 

In closing, please know that my door is open to you. I value the opportunity to collaborate with parents and welcome your conversation and positive input throughout this year and invite you into the school. Let us always keep our students the primary focus of our work. I look forward to celebrating our collective successes during the 2023-2024 school year. Enjoy the remaining days of summer!