World Languages

1     Prep

2     AP Span Lang A / 201-202

3    AP Span Lang / AP Span Lit

4/5     Spanish 3-4

6      Spanish 3-4

7       Spanish 3-4

¡Hola todos! Hello everyone! My name is Steven Clark and this is my fourth year teaching Spanish at Sandra Day O'Connor. This year I will be teaching Spanish 3-4, Ap Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, and 201/202 (Dual Enrollment). I've taught high school Spanish for the last 8 years at BASIS Scottsdale, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, and here at O'Connor. I've taught all levels of middle and high school Spanish including AP Spanish Language and Culture and AP Spanish Language and Literature. I am originally from Tempe, Arizona but have lived in Utah, Argentina, Georgia, and California. After high school I lived in Argentina for nearly two years where immersing myself in the culture and language helped me become a fluent speaker. I look forward to teaching here at O'Connor and helping each of my students succeed.  

In my free time I enjoy reading and watching movies, taking road trips with the family (my favorite spot is the Oregon Coast), playing board games, and thrifting. 

1     Mandarin 5-6H (rm 607)

2     Mandarin 1-2 H (rm 526)

3    AP Chinese Lang & Culture (rm 507)

4/5     Prep

6       

7        

Hello! My name is Yingying Deng. I teach Mandarin 3-4, 5-6 and AP Chinese Language and Culture. In addition to teaching, I will help ELL in math.

My family and I moved to Phoenix to begin a career in education after graduating from Utah State University with a master's in Computer Science. Before that, I had been teaching for 9 years in China.

I love teaching and working with students. Teaching is the most significant job, I believe. I am excited about the opportunity to have a positive impact on my students.

1     Spanish 1-2 (rm 423)

2     Spanish 1-2 (rm 400NW)

3    Prep

4/5   Spanish 1-2 (rm 400NE)

6      Spanish 1-2 (rm 400NE)

7       Spanish 1-2 (rm 400NE)

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design
Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University

Spanish 1-2 IB teacher / Spanish 3-4

Ms. Monica Gray

I was born in Mexico City and I did a double program in high school and I studied to be an English Teacher as a second language. After finishing High School, I taught 3rd and 5th grade for 2 years and then I went to Anahuac University to study graphic design. After I did my graduate degree as a graphic designer, I taught university for 2 years.

I got married and moved to California, the Bay Area, and taught Spanish for 2 years. 

I relocated to Scottsdale, AZ, 12 years ago and I have taught in Arizona for 10 years. I did my graduate degree at Grand Canyon University, allowing me to work in public schools. Previously, working in public schools, I worked in charter and private schools. I worked in Barry Goldwater from 2016-2017, then I went to work at Scottsdale Unified District teaching 6/7 grade for 5 years. However, I wanted to come back to Deer Valley to teach High School again. I taught last year at BGHS. This is my eighth year working in a public school.

1     French 5-6H/AP (rm 400NE)

2     French 1-2 H (rm 400NE)

3     French 1-2 H (rm 400NE)

4/5     Prep

6        French 3-4 H (rm 422)

7      French 3-4 H (rm 424)

Salut a tous,
My name is Katia Lekmine, this is my first year teaching French at Sandra Day O'Connor. I am exited to meet with you and start our adventure year of learning Francophone cultures. I started my journey working at school as volunteering at school. I worked as a substitute teacher and have taught two years French language.. I am originally from Algeria, I moved to USA in 2004. I studied Law at University of Algiers, Algeria.
I am married to a wonderful man, we have three beautiful kids. I like to spend time  with family and friends. I like to listen to classic music and French songs. I like to read, cook and try new healthy recipes. I also like to walk, hike, camp, bike...being outside :) 
 "The source of knowledge is curiosity, and experience." 

1     Spanish 3-4 H

2     Spanish 3-4 H

3    Spanish 3-4 

4/5   Spanish 3-4 H

6      Prep

7       Spanish 3-4 H

I am originally from Pennsylvania and completed my Bachelor's (double-major in Spanish and Anthropology) and Master's (Spanish Linguistics) degrees at Penn State University. Then my husband and I moved to Albuquerque where I completed Doctoral studies (PHD ABD/Romance Language Linguistics) at the University of New Mexico. While living in Albuquerque, I started teaching part-time at Rio Rancho High School (where parts of Breaking Bad were filmed!) and fell in love with teaching high school Spanish. I've been a public high school teacher for almost thirty years; I taught at Rio Rancho High School for eight years and I've been at SDOHS for the last 21!

1     Spanish 1-2

2     Prep

3    Spanish 1-2 H

4/5   Spanish 1-2 H

6      Spanish 1-2

7      Spanish 1-2

My name is Nidia Ruiz, I am from Mexico. I have experience teaching Spanish from Elementary to University level. I have a Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in Literature and I studied a Masters degree in Education. Before being a teacher I was a reporter for a newspaper in Mexico and I also worked in the government press department of a state office in Mexico. I really enjoy the activities at my church, walking on the beach and botanical gardens. I love teaching, spending time with my family, and traveling. 

1     Spanish 3-4

2     Spanish 3-4

3    Spanish 3-4

4/5   Spanish 3-4

6      Spanish 3-4

7      Spanish 3-4

Bienvenidos. Me llamo Senor Ticknor. I have been teaching Spanish for 28  years 10 years in Virginia and 19 in  SDOHS. I have many experiences travelling and living in Spain, South America and Central America and want the students to share the same passion for the language that I have. I  have two boys Lucas 16, a junior  at OC  and Nicholas 21. Nicholas  graduated from OC in 2020.  Where does the time go? I love to play soccer, hike and play tennis  I love spanish music and you might hear me play a song or two this year. I am looking forward to a  fun successful year!!

1     Spanish 1-2 H

2     Spanish 1-2

3    Spanish 1-2

4/5   Spanish 1-2

6      Spanish 1-2 

7       Spanish 1-2 

I am originally from Colombia, South America, where I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pontificia Bolivariana University, along with a minor in Industrial Engineering. I am a certified bilingual teacher for PK–12 in both Arizona and Texas.

With a strong passion for education and lifelong learning, I have been proudly teaching in public education for over 14 years. I am deeply committed to helping students grow in their language skills and cultural understanding.

Outside of the classroom, I have been happily married for many years and have two daughters who are proud alumni of Sandra Day O'Connor High School. Our family also includes a lovable dog and a cat. We enjoy spending quality time together, especially at the beach.

I’m excited to continue growing with my students and look forward to another successful school year!

1     Spanish 5-6 H

2     Spanish 101/102

3    Spanish 101/102

4/5   Spanish 5-6H

6      Spanish 5-6H

7       Prep

I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico where I discovered my passion for teaching literature in Spanish. I have twenty years living in the US and 25+ years teaching in different academic levels and countries. Part of those years, I worked as adjunct faculty in Community Colleges (Glendale Main Campus, Phoenix, and Estrella Mountain). In addition, I taught several classes in ASU for the lower and upper divisions when I was completing my second master's there.

I worked for a charter high school for seven years where I was the World Languages Coordinator (Spanish and French). I like to read novels, essays, and poetry, but I especially love works on pedagogy. During my school year, I keep track of webinars and workshops focused on how to teach World Languages more efficiently. I also love to watch foreign movies, series, and documentaries on weekends. I like to do yoga or take long walks every afternoon if possible. I try to visit other countries outside of the US because I enjoy museums, food, music, and just being immersed in a new country/language. I live with my husband, my daughter, and Kipper, my dog.

Academic Background:

Bachelor in Spanish Literature

Master's in Applied Linguistics and Education

Master's in Spanish Literature

Spanish 6th-12th Certified