Debra Slagle - M.ED - Superintendent
Debra Slagle is superintendent of Westwind Community Schools (WCS) and CEO of Westwind Children’s Services, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 corporation. She is one of the founders of WestwindPrepAcademy, which opened in 1998, as well as Westwind Middle School Academy, which opened in 2000. Westwind Middle School is one of the few public schools in the country to offer separate classes for boys and girls. In addition to Westwind Prep and Westwind Middle, WCS includes Park View Middle School and Montessori at Anthem. In addition, to her daily responsibilities for WCS, Mrs. Slagle has been responsible for the acquisition of over one million dollars in competitive grants and donations for the organizations.
Mrs. Slagle received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. She holds Masters Degrees from NorthernArizonaUniversity and Arizona State University. Mrs. Slagle is a member of the Leadership for Educational Entrepreneurs (LEE) Academy of Fellows through ArizonaStateUniversity, an esteemed program partially funded by the US Department of Education, with members from all across the United States. She is a past president and current board member of the Arizona Charter Schools Association, as well as having served as an External Team Chair for North Central Association for Accreditation (NCA). She is a certified school administrator, certified secondary education teacher and guidance counselor and a licensed professional counselor. Mrs. Slagle has been the guest speaker at several national and regional conferences on education and school choice, including the National Charter Schools Conference and the Regional Conference for Alternative Schools.
Mrs. Slagle has almost 30 years of experience working with adolescents and their families, fifteen of which have been in education. Mrs. Slagle and her husband, Chuck, have two grown children, both of whom are currently attending college
Mrs. Kris Johnson - Principal
Every year our student’s scores improve, making every year a year that Westwind improves! A new principal has arrived to challenge us all in a new way. Mrs. Kris Johnson has joined the excellent academic team that works every day at improving student achievement through care and concern. Mrs. Johnson began in charter schools in one of the original schools in 1995. After teaching high school for eight years she moved in to administration five years ago. She is an Alumni of both ArizonaState and Northern Arizona. As a career student she continues to learn every day keeping current on all areas that will positively impact Westwind Children's Services.
Mrs. Johnson has five boys; 19 years old, 18 years old, 16 years old and twin 8 year olds. She is married to a Phoenix fireman and stays busy working with Agape Adoption Agency on a volunteer basis. She belongs to the Alpha Delta Kappa sorority which promotes excellence in education and is the WestValley representative with the Arizona Charter School Association. For the last two years Mrs. Johnson has been the conference chairman for the association planning and organizing learning opportunities for charter schools across the state. She is excited to begin school every day and looks forward to every new challenge. Please stop and say hello and let her know who you are!
Matt Allen- Assistant Principal
Matt Allen was born in Phoenix and was raised in the White Mountains in Arizona. He and his wife have two boys and are expecting a girl in November. Mr. Allen received his degree from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. At Southern Utah, he played football and ran track for the Thunderbirds.
Mr. Allen has over nine years of experience working with teens in either a group home setting, YMCA programs or in athletics. He believes that by working with teens in a consistent, positive and motivating way, it will help them develop strong character and high self esteem.
Jim Keen- Athletic Director
