Student Support Services

Email Mrs. Bartel

I am the service coordinator for 5th and 6th grade. I am committed to supporting students and families in creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. With a deep passion for helping students succeed both academically and socially, I work closely with teachers, staff, and families to ensure that each child’s needs are met.

I collaborate with fellow educators to foster a school culture that values student well-being, engagement, and growth. Whether providing resources, support, or encouragement, I am dedicated to empowering students to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Outside of my professional role, I enjoy working out, which includes hot yoga, and my husband and I both practice martial arts and own a karate studio together. 

Email Ms. English 

Hello! My name is Abby English and I am thrilled to be serving as the Service Coordinator here at Sunset Ridge Middle School. This is my second year at SRMS, and I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of such a dedicated and supportive team.

Last year, I worked closely with our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in English Language Arts. This year, I’m excited to continue supporting ELA while also expanding my role to include 7th and 8th grade Math. I love helping students grow both academically and personally, and it’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of their journey.

Before transitioning to education, I spent nearly 10 years in San Francisco working in corporate retail as a visual merchandiser. I designed store layouts and created visual directives for field stores to bring to life. While I still have a deep love for design, I’ve found that teaching brings a much greater sense of fulfillment—I truly enjoy watching students develop confidence and discover their potential.

I graduated from Otterbein University in Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. I also hold a professional designation associate degree in Visual Communications and Design, as well as a UI/UX Design Certificate. Most recently, I completed the TPP Program through Deer Valley and obtained my SEI Endorsement.

In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga, drawing, and curling up with a good book.

I’m so excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to support our amazing students as they continue to grow and succeed!

Email Ms. Hemstreet

Email Ms. Jones

I am the Learning Center Teacher for Sunset Ridge. I enjoy teaching and facilitating the learning process for students with special needs. I personally have a special needs child and am committed to serving the special needs community. I have served as a Paraprofessional with Deer Valley and I now am entering my second year as the Learning Center Teacher. I am proud to be at Sunset Ridge and part of our special needs community.

Email Ms. Weindel

JoAnne George

Email Mrs. George

My name is Jo Anne George and I am the DVUSD Speech-Language Pathologist assigned to Sunset Ridge for grade PreK-8th grade.  I graduated from New Mexico State University with my Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the college of Education.  With a total of 30 years in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, I am headed into my 10th year with DVUSD!

I have been a Sunset Ridge Hawk for the last 8 years and have loved watching our students soar through their years from PreK and beyond.  

I am married to the love of my life, Bobby (for 32 years), and have two "really cool" adult children--Austin and Azriel.  We moved from our native New Mexico to Arizona in 2014.  

In my free time, I enjoy taking walks through my neighborhood, traveling (especially to the beach), spending time with my family and relaxing with our family cat, Marty.  

Maria Pedersen

Email Ms. Pedersen

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where I worked as a legal secretary for five years after graduating from high school.  In 1991, I moved to Phoenix with my husband and decided to go back to school.     

In 1996, I graduated from Arizona State University with my bachelors degree in accounting.  I enjoyed doing bookkeeping and taxes for individuals and companies until it was time to raise a family.  I became a stay-at-home mom for my three kids for several years.   My family loves to hike, camp, rock climb, watch movies, eat and play board games together.  We also have a wonderful dog named Aspen (because she is creamy white with a tinge of gold like the Aspen trees). Some of our favorite places are Joshua Tree National Park, Zion National Park and Colorado.   

I started working in the Deer Valley Unified School District in 2010, when my kids were in elementary school.  I absolutely loved working in the school environment and decided this is where I wanted to be.  I have worked at preschool, elementary and high school levels over the years, doing a variety of jobs, starting with crossing guard, classroom aides, kindergarten monitor, paraprofessional and substitute teacher.   I truly loved them all.   I recently received my Speech Language Pathology Assistant Certificate in December 2022 from Estrella Mountain Community College. I have been at Sunset Ridge since February 2023 serving five days a week.  I am super excited to be here teaching and making fun memories with our students and co-workers.    

Jodi Peroutka (K-6 Counselor)

Email Ms. Peroutka

Hello everyone! I am Jodi Peroutka, and I am pleased to join Sunset Ridge as your K-6 School Counselor. I bring 25 years of counseling experience, with a deep commitment to student development.

My background includes 22 years as a high school counselor in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. This experience has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of student needs across various developmental stages.

In my role as K-6 counselor, I am dedicated to supporting our elementary students in developing essential social-emotional skills, fostering resilience, and building a strong foundation for academic success. My aim is to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and empowered to thrive. I will be working with students throughout the year teaching in classrooms, providing small group sessions and 1:1 support.

Outside of my professional life, I reside in central Phoenix, Arizona, and spend my summers in Wisconsin. I look forward to collaborating with students, families, and staff to ensure a positive and productive school year.

Rachael Holt

Email Mrs. Holt

I graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Elementary Education and am certified to teach grades K-8. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach across multiple grade levels, gaining valuable insight into the academic and social growth of students at every stage.

I am excited to now serve in a more administrative role as Sunset Ridge’s MTSS-B Coordinator. In this position, I help support our schoolwide PBIS system (Hawk Bucks), encourage positive behavior, and provide support for students who may be struggling. My goal is to ensure that every student feels valued, supported, and set up for success.

I look forward to continuing to work alongside our amazing staff, students, and families to make Sunset Ridge the best it can be!