Kyrene School District will welcome two new principals in the 2024-25 school year, including one former Kyrene kid.
Both principals are new to Team Kyrene but bring a wealth of experience in school leadership — Kyrene Altadeña Middle School welcomes Principal Rachel Broadley and C.I. Waggoner Elementary School welcomes Principal Margaret Rodriguez.
Altadeña Middle School Principal Rachel Broadley brings 20 years of experience to Kyrene, as well as a deep passion for educating the whole child, engaging the community, and fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for the staff.
Broadley is eager to work closely with students, families and teachers to ensure all voices are heard and valued within the school community.
“I place a strong emphasis on collective efficacy – the shared belief that together, we have the ability to overcome challenges and achieve success,” Broadley said. “Together, we can foster a culture of optimism, resilience, and continuous improvement.”
Broadley has been recognized by Maricopa County as an Exemplar Principal and by the Arizona Department of Education for leading one of only six schools in the state to show growth in 2021, post-pandemic.
Originally from northern Virginia, she spent her childhood exploring the battlefields of Bull Run and riding bikes along the Potomac, so it’s no surprise she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from Arizona State University. She then completed a master’s degree in educational leadership.
In her free time, Broadley loves hiking, camping, paddleboarding and cheering on her two daughters through all their extracurricular activities. She looks forward to connecting with the Altadeña community.
The newest leader of Kyrene’s oldest school, C.I. Waggoner Elementary, has deep ties to Kyrene. Principal Margaret Rodriguez was once a Kyrene student and is returning to the district as a leader with 20 years of experience in education.
She has served as a teacher, literacy coach, assistant principal and principal. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in school leadership, both from Arizona State University. She has a second master’s degree from Northern Arizona University in elementary education.
Rodriguez believes in educating the whole child and creating a school community where every child feels safe, respected and supported. As a lifelong Tempe resident, she told the Kyrene Governing Board in June that this opportunity was a dream position.
“Thank you for making that dream come true. It is truly an honor to be the next principal of C.I. Waggoner,” Rodriguez said at the June 11 board meeting.
Not only a former student, Rodriguez is also a future Kyrene parent, as her daughter will attend C.I. Waggoner for elementary school. In her free time, Rodriguez enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, daughter and their two dogs. You might also spot her getting a workout in at CrossFit Tempe.
Each principal was selected through a rigorous process to identify strong leaders for Kyrene. The district then uses community input to match leaders to schools.
In addition to welcoming experienced leaders from outside the district, Kyrene continues to create opportunities for internal growth through the Kyrene Aspiring Leaders Academy. KALA is a professional development program for teachers and support staff looking to expand their leadership skills and advance in their educational career.
Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes and the Kyrene Governing Board have repeatedly stressed the importance of retaining high quality, experienced staff, and for the fourth year in a row, the Board has approved stipends for employees who remain with the district this school year.
Most Popular
Comments / 0