San Tan Heights Elementary

Dr. Henry Saylor-Scheetz

Hello Hawk family,

My education includes a bachelor's degree in business administration from Washington State University, where I served as Chief Justice of the WSU Judicial Committee. I received a master's degree in teaching from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. I also hold an administrative certification from Lewis and Clark College in Portland and earned my Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University in 2021.

My professional experience includes being a jeweler for over 20 years, management of a Fortune 500 company, and business ownership. I came into the educational profession as a football coach and then as a mathematics teacher at the high school level. In 2010, we moved to Arizona and started with Chandler Unified as a junior high math teacher and coach.

In 2013, I became the Dean of Students and Athletic Director in Chandler. I came to FUSD in 2015 and started as an assistant principal at Poston Butte High School. In 2016, I moved to San Tan Heights as an assistant principal and athletic director after the FUSD consolidation with Coolidge.

As an educator, I believe in providing kids with the most exceptional educational experience possible. For this reason, the "Kids First" motto of FUSD appeals to my sense of why I am in education. I believe it is my job to support teachers and provide them with all the tools, training, and guidance required to create a dynamic learning environment for every child. Lastly, I believe that the most critical aspect of education among the three rigor, relevance, and relationships is the relationships. Building a safe learning community, one where children are not afraid to make a mistake, and one that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving is essential to achieving academic excellence.

Heather Zertuche

Greetings Hawks!

A native of Wisconsin, I began my education career in 2000 in Parker, AZ, having taught 3rd through 6th grade in addition to academic coaching. In 2014, my family relocated to Florence, AZ. There, I taught 4th grade ELA at Anthem K8 before moving to Combs Traditional Academy, where I have remained the past 7 years. 

I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Maranatha Baptist University in 1999. Receiving my first Master’s Degree in education in 2006 from NAU, I then earned a second in 2016 from University of Phoenix. 

In 2006, I had the honor of representing Arizona as the Rural Teacher of the Year. That title afforded me the opportunity to serve on the Arizona Rural Educator’s Board and serve on an educator’s panel facilitated by the Arizona Superintendent of Education. Throughout my education career, I have served on Leadership teams; served on School Improvement Committees; and facilitated various clubs and committees. 

I sincerely believe that education is a lifestyle rather than a career. It is my desire to foster a learning environment that engages and challenges students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. I value the importance of relationships between teachers, administrators, students, and families.  I look forward to getting to know the families of San Tan Heights K8 and learning how I can best serve this community.

Spencer Liaga

Michelle Kays
Born and raised in Texas, I have made Arizona my home for 19 years. I have raised three sons in a marriage of 37 years.

Education has been a life-long passion and has been structuring and educating students for over 22 years. I have taught various grade levels throughout my journey but have spent the last 15 years as a fifth-grade teacher. I want students to realize their individuality and help prepare them for a changing future with a safe, healthy, engaging environment that will make them become leaders in society. For myself, I think it’s important to love what you do and come to work each and every day with a positive attitude.

My new journey in education will be as an Instructional Coach at San Tan Heights. I hope to excite, guide, and support all our unique and talented educators so we as a team can help our students achieve academic growth in each content area and challenge them based on their special abilities for successful learning outcomes.

Turning possibilities into probabilities for ALL students!