Social Studies

1     Psych

2     Psych

3      Psych

4/5    AP Psych

6       AP Psych

7      Prep

1     US History

2     US History

3      US History

4/5     US History

6        US History

7      Prep

This is my first year here at Sandra Day O'Connor after teaching for 20 years at Deer Valley High School.  I also, will be taking over the reigns of Track and Field program which starts competition in the spring.   I am very excited to be at here at O'Connor and look forward to not only creating a high level of education in my classroom but building the Track and Field program into a state contender. I graduated from ASU in 1998..GO DEVILS!!  I have two daughters, Tyler 22 and Logan 16 who is a Junior here at O'Connor.   

1     Prep

2     World His

3      World His

4/5     World His

6        AP World

7       World His

My name is Mrs.Burstynski, 2023-2024 will be my 7th year of teaching. I spent the first three years of my teaching profession in Peoria Unified School District. In those three years, I spent one year teaching 6th grade Social Studies, and the other two teaching 8th Grade Social Studies & 8th Grade English as well as Science. In 2019 I moved to Deer Valley Unified School District to be part of the opening team at Union Park School. I spent the first year as a 6th grade Social Studies/Science teacher. Then, for the next two years, I have been teaching 8th Grade Social Studies & an exploratory of Theater Arts. 

I grew up on the east coast of the United States in Virginia with my two loving parents. I got married last year to my husband, a Software Developer/Computer Engineer . He is selflessly voluntold to help with the technical difficulties that inevitably arise during a school year. We have two adorable little kittens, who bring joy to our household. 

I am a huge supporter of the Arts, especially in schools. I spent four and a half years, in Florida, working for one of the largest entertainment companies on earth, "Walt Disney".  Additionally, in my free time, I support local theaters in the area. Including the "Phoenix Youth Theater", which my nephew is a part of, and being a frequent audience member at ASU Gammage.

This year I will be helping Dr. McLean at Union Park School with their first musical that they will be putting on this spring. I highly encourage anyone who is interested to come out and support Union Park's music and theater department by seeing the show. 

1     APUSH

2     AP World

3      US History

4/5     APUSH

6        US II/IV

7       APUSH

Iowan by birth, Hawkeye by grace.  Marine Corps 2002-2006.  Summe Cum Laude, ASU 2013.  Lifelong learner.  Let it never be said that I didn't give enough.

I promise you that I am committed to your student's success.  I will do everything that I can to make them ready for post high school success and a civic minded citizen to the country I love.

1     Govt

2     Govt

3        Govt (TT Quinlan)

4/5     Govt (TT Smith)

6        Govt

7       Prep

Welcome to Mr. DeVito's Home page

I teach Senior Social Studies, which includes Government and Economics. I am also the head wrestling coach at SDOHS.

1     US Hist 103/104

2     AP Human Geo

3      APUSH

4/5     Prep

6        HIS103/104

7       APUSH

Education Background: 

In 1998 I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Political Science from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.  That year, I enrolled in the School of Education's graduate program for teachers, and in 1999 I earned my Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education (social studies emphasis).  In college, I worked as an intern at the Washington State History Museum creating history curriculum trunks for elementary teachers.   

Professional Background: 

I began my first three years of teaching at Illahee Junior High School in Federal Way, Washington and then moved to Arizona where I began teaching both middle and high school history.  I have been working in the DVUSD district since 2006 and I have been at SDOHS since 2009.

Special Recognition and Awards:

From 2008-2015 I traveled and studied US history through the Gilder Lehrman Institute and participated in classes and seminars at Columbia University and Northern Arizona University.  I attended yearly conventions for the National Council for the Social Studies where I presented in Denver Colorado (2011) and Seattle (2012).  I also won an award for best lesson plan from the Western History Association National Conference in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  I was also named Teacher of the Year for Deer Valley Unifed School District in 2014 and presented with the "Great Moments in Teaching" award through the Arizona Council for the Social Studies in 2015.

From 2015-2020 I was selected for the "Great Moments in Teaching" award through the Arizona Council for the Social Studies and in 2016 I won the Military History Prize for an in-depth lesson plan entry on American Indians during the French and Indian War.  In 2017 I became the New Teacher liason at SDOHS while teaching both APUSH and Dual Enrollment US History through Rio Salado Community College.

During Covid and after I have settled down a bit.  In 2021 I started teaching Advanced Placement Human Geography and have been working to improve my individual course offerings post Covid.  The year 2023 will mark my 24th year of teaching and my 14th year at SDOHS.  I will be teaching one class of Dual Enrollment US History, one class of AP Human Geography, and three classes of APUSH.

Personal Life and Interests

One of my favorite things to do is spend time with my family outside.  We like to travel (I love national parks) and we enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, and just hanging out in nature.  If teaching had not been my calling, I would currently be working for the forest service or as a park ranger.  I also enjoy reading, nature journaling, and photography.

1     Econ

2     US History

3      AP World

4/5     Econ (TT Smith 2nd Sem)

6        Econ

7       US History

1     POS 110

2     POS 110

3     POS 110

4/5     POS 110

6      World History

7       Prep

  I am excited about teaching students Government and American National Government (POS 110).  The two subjects that kids love! POS 110 is a Dual Enrollment course partnered with Rio Salado College. This is my 8th year at Sandra Day O'Connor and it is my fourth year teaching Social Studies .  I have taught World History, American History,  Algbebra 3-4,  Probability/Statistics and was a special education math and science teacher.   Prior to teaching,  I was in the workforce for the past 25 years.  I worked in Real Estate here in Arizona and also in the insurance field.  I am originally from Minnesota and I am a huge Vikings fan!  I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors degree in Political Science and just completed my Masters degree in Special Education. I am the assistant girls varsity basketball coach here at O'Connor along with the assistant boys golf coach.

1     World His

2     World His

3    World His (TT Lord)

4/5     World His

6      World His

7       Prep

1     HIS 103/104

2     US History

3    Prep

4/5     HIS 103/104

6      US History

7       HIS 103/104

My name is Laura McKinnon, and I teach dual enrollment U.S. history, American/Arizona history here at Sandra Day O'Connor.  I LOVE my job!  I enjoy learning about history, geography, and culture, especially by travelling to different historic sites around the country and the world. Our optional trip for the summer of 2022 will be to London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels. For the summer of 2023, we will be going to Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. I also sponsor the World Explorers Club, which is a great way to learn more about places you may want to learn about or see. 

This is my 23rd year teaching. Before moving on to teaching high school, I taught preschool, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, and I have loved each grade level I have taught.  I also love to lead educational travel, which allows us to bring our learning outside of the classroom to historic sites.

I grew up in Ontario, Canada, and I moved to Arizona after I finished high school.  I became a respiratory therapist, and worked at Good Samaritan Hospital, and Phoenix Children's Hospital for 13 years, but... I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, so back to school I went. After earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education, I continued on with a master's degree in education through Northern Arizona University, and a master's degree in U.S. history through Pace University. I feel fortunate to have found a career that I truly love, and I am happy to be teaching at O'Connor this year.

1     Prep

2     AP World

3    AP World

4/5     HIS 110/111

6      HIS 110/111

7     HIS 110/111

Education Background:  I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with minors in Judaic Studies, Music, and Public Administration from the University of Arizona, and a Masters of Arts degree in Public History from Arizona State University. I also hold an endorsement in gifted education.

Professional Background: 

I began my career in museums, working at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona and the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, Arizona, for eight years. I have been teaching world history at Sandra Day O'Connor High School since 2020.

This year, I am teaching Dual Enrollment and AP World History Courses. I am so the Co-Director of the Academy of Civic Engagement and Advanced Studies at SDOHS.

Personal Life and Interests

One of my favorite things to do is spend time with my husband, son (5), and daughter (3), and our three dogs. My husband and I enjoy watching college basketball and football (Go Wildcats!) and playing trombone in the Glendale Community College Community Band.

1     World His

2     Econ

3    Econ (TT Quinlan 2nd Sem)

4/5  Prep

6     World His

7     World His

Hi, my name is Marena Trusso and I am a social studies teacher here at O'Connor! This is my second year at OC and I am super excited to be back. This school year, I will be teaching World History and Economics. I am originally from New Jersey, where I graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a BA in history and a Masters in the Art of Teaching in secondary education and special education K-12. I am looking forward to working with your students in order for them to do the best they can in school while making social studies enjoyable. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions!

1     AP Govt

2     AP Govt

3    AP Govt

4/5  AP Govt

6      POS 110

7    Prep

Hello! My name is Richard Weyker. I am the Social Studies Department Chair for Sandra Day O'Connor High School. I teach AP Macroeconomics/AP Government, POS 110 (a Dual Enrollment course through Rio Sallado College) Economics and Government. In addition to teaching, I sponsor the Model U.N. club.

I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. I moved to Phoenix 9 years ago to begin a career in education after graduating from University of Arizona with a Bachelor's in Political Science and a Masters in Teaching and Teacher Education.

Teaching is the most fulfilling job I have ever worked. Sandra Day O'Connor High School has provided an amazing environment to grow and develop the craft of being an educator. I'm excited about the opportunity every day brings to be a positive influence on my students.