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    Central High School Administration 

     

    Principal: Leticia Avalos 
    Email: lavalos@phoenixunion.org

      
     
    Assistant: Nelly Arenas
    Phone: 602-764-7502
    Email: Narenas@phoenixunion.org 

     

    Ms. Leticia Avalos is a Phoenix native and a dedicated mother of two. She was raised in Glendale and attended Glendale High School, Glendale Community College and Arizona State University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and majored in history. In addition, she earned two Master’s Degrees from ASU despite many obstacles in life. She started her career in the Glendale Elementary School District before coming to PXU and is currently in her 24th year in education. She often shares that she would not be in her position today without the support of her family, friends, and mentors.

    After the rigorous iLEAD AZ educational leadership program at ASU, Ms. Avalos was selected as the Assistant Principal for Student Success at Trevor G. Browne High School (TGB), overseeing interventions and campus safety for the largest school in PXU. She spent two years at TGB implementing interventions, restorative practices, and instructional strategies as well as overseeing a student support team that included a large security staff. She was later given the opportunity to serve as the Assistant Principal for Registration at Betty H. Fairfax High School, overseeing counseling, enrollment, and staffing. Data from both schools demonstrate improvements in both school safety and academics. Ms. Avalos believes this was due to the collaborative efforts made by many dedicated individuals at each campus.

    All of these experiences led Ms. Avalos to participate in an intense principal selection process. As a result, she became principal of Central High School beginning in the 2018-19 school year. She has stated that she could not be happier to serve Central’s staff, students, and community. Under her leadership, the school made an improvement in their letter grade designated by the state, expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities, reduced discipline referrals significantly, expanded dual enrollment options, increased enrollment and implemented a student/athlete of the month recognition program. Ms. Avalos continues to focus on rebranding Central, improving school-wide systems and increasing positive relationships across the campus. 
     

    Assistant Principal for Registration:
    Jacob Lambert

    Email: lambert@phoenixunion.org

     

    Assistant: Jasmine Moore 

    Phone: 602-764-7525

    Email:  jmoore1@phoenixunion.org

     

    This is Mr. Lambert’s 4th year at Central High School. Mr. Lambert has previously served as the Assistant Principal of Instruction and Professional Development Specialist at Central High School. Prior to becoming a school administrator Mr. Lambert was an ESS teacher and coach within PXU and various districts throughout the state and in his home state of Illinois. Mr. Lambert comes from a family of educators, following in the footsteps of his grandmother, grandfather, and mother. In his free time he likes to go for a run or cheer for his favorite sports teams! Go Bobcats!
     

    Assistant Principal of Instruction:
    Ms. Jordan Young

     
     
     
      Assistant: Alma Nina Morales
      Phone: 602-764-7513

     

    Mrs. Jordan Young grew up in Lake Stevens, Wa which is located just north of Seattle. For undergrad she attended the University of California Santa Barbara and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science. Upon graduation Mrs. Young was accepted into the 2013 Teach for America Corps and was placed in the Phoenix region. She taught two years of 8th grade science in Avondale while simultaneously earning her Masters in Secondary Science Education from ASU. After completing her TFA commitment, Ms. Young made the transition to PXU.

     

    Mrs. Young spent the last six years as a science teacher at Cesar Chavez High School (CCHS). While at CCHS she served as the Science Instructional Leader, Attendance Committee Chair and the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP) Chair. In 2019, Mrs. Young was selected as a full-ride fellow for the rigorous iLeadAZ principal preparatory program at ASU. She completed the 15-month program and graduated with her second Masters in Educational Leadership. This will be Mrs. Young’s first year as an Assistant Principal and she is excited to serve under the Office of Instruction. She is firm believer in educational equity and the importance of building relationships. In her free time Mrs. Young likes to spend time with her husband, family/friends, and two rescue dogs. She also enjoys traveling, tending to her many plants, and completing projects around her home.


    		  
     

    Assistant Principal for Student Opportunities: 
    Mr. Kevin Belcher

    Email: belcher@phoenixunion.org

    Mr. Belcher
     

     
    Assistant: Vivian Villagomez
    Phone: 602-764-7515
    Email: vvillagomez@phoenixunion.org
     
    Mr. Belcher is originally from Camden County, New Jersey.  He has been teaching and coaching in Arizona for 22 years; he joined Phoenix Union in 2002.  Mr. Belcher was an Advanced Biology and Chemistry Teacher and the Varsity Head Football Coach at both Central (2002 - 2007) and Fairfax (2007 -2014) high schools.  Coach Belcher became the Assistant Principal of Student Opportunities and Athletic Director at Fairfax (2014 - 2022). This will be his ninth year as an Assistant Principal in PXU; and his first at Central High School.

    Like many PXU students and alumnae, Mr. Belcher is a first-generation high school and college graduate. Coach Belcher takes great pride in supporting student-athletes in the pursuit and attainment of their goals. His WHY for teaching and coaching continues to be the desire to help students develop goals, identify opportunities, and feel confidence, courage, and preparedness to pursue their dreams in education, career, and life.

    Mr. Belcher has continued his own education.  He is a nationally Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA).  This will be his fourth term (2019 - present) as Arizona’s State Coordinator of Professional Development for the AIAAA/NIAAA Leadership Training Institute.  He works with representatives of each state to advance this national training program and teach the athletic administrators for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Association (NIAAA).  In addition, Mr. Belcher serves on multiple committees for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA).

    Mr. Belcher has received numerous honors at the district, state, and national level for developing original leadership programs for coaches and athletes. 

    Recent Professional Awards and Honors

    • 2022 NIAAA University Leadership Cohort
    • 2021 AIAAA Recipient Distinguished Service Award
    • 2021 NIAAA Certified Master Athletic Administrator
    • 2018 AIA Administrator of the Year
    • 2018 AIAAA 5A Conference Athletic Director of the Year
    • 2018 PXU District Athletic Director of the Year
    • 2016 NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator
    • 2011 Region Coach of the Year
    • 2006 AIA Coach of the Year Finalist
    • 2006 City of Phoenix Coach of the Year
    • 2006 Region Coach of the Year
    • 2000 Recipient of Thomas J Gallia Bronze Medallion for Excellence in Secondary Teaching from Rowan University
    		  

    Assistant Principal for Student Services: 
    Ms. Danielle Shields

    Email: shields@phoenixunion.org 

    Ms. Shields

     Assistant: Cynthia Foley-Hernandez
    Phone: (602) 764-7507
     

     I am originally from San Francisco, California. I received my Bachelors of Science in Biology from Alabama State University. I previously worked as a financial aid advisor at University of Phoenix, which is where I received my Masters in Secondary Education. After receiving my teacher certification, I went on to serve as a math teacher at Maryvale High School, where I also served as the Algebra I and Geometry PLC leader.  When the ribbon was cut on Phoenix Coding Academy, I thought it would be an amazing learning experience to transition there, where I learned about small schools, team teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  At Phoenix Coding Academy, I taught various math courses and foundations of scientific inquiry, while serving as the 9th grade Instructional Leader.  I taught there for three years and then transitioned to Linda Abril Educational Academy as their Math Instructional Leader, which is where I also completed my administrative internship.  While there, I was enrolled and received my Masters in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University. 

    I have an amazing and talented 9-year-old son who is my WHY.  I am also a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, who enjoys spending time with them. One of my strong suits as an educator is building relationships, which is why I am truly excited to be serving as the Assistant Principal of Student Success at Central High School.