Administration

Principal - Kimberly Crandall

Kim Crandall brings over 18 years of diverse experience in education, having made significant contributions as both a teacher and school leader across K-12 settings. After a successful 14-year tenure as a language arts teacher and special education case manager at the elementary and middle school levels, she transitioned into school leadership roles. Her journey at AMS includes positions as Dean of Students and Assistant Principal at MASSA before joining the AMS Prince campus as Resident Principal in 2023.

Ms. Kim earned her B.A. in Language and Literature from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and holds a Master of Education from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally from Wisconsin, Kim’s career has taken her across various states and overseas, but she now proudly calls Arizona home. She lives in Tucson with her family, where she enjoys reading, exploring nature, and traveling.

Ms. Kim is deeply committed to the growth and success of each Prince scholar and is honored to be part of such a vibrant community of scholars, families, and dedicated educators.

Assistant Principal - Pablo Pato

Pablo Pato was born in the majestic city of Oviedo, Asturias (north of Spain) where he proudly attended to the same public school as the current Queen of Spain. Sports have always played a significant role in Pablo’s life since he played youth soccer through high school and he received a college scholarship to the University of Oviedo in exchange for blood donations and bone fractures, he played rugby. Pablo also participated in Spain’s top division as well.

His journey in education commenced back in 2005 when he became a civil servant and started working for the Spanish Government. He started his career as an elementary school teacher in Cadiz, one of Europe’s most stunning cities. In 2008 Pablo decided to start a new adventure, leaving everything behind and relocating to the vibrant city of New Orleans, where he lived for eleven fantastic years full of professional and personal success. Pablo Pato obtained the 2016 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year (Elementary) award in 2016 making him the only non-American citizen to have ever done so.

Following a brief period in Spain, Pablo and his family moved to Tucson, AZ, where Pablo briefly taught 5th Grade Math and Science until the summer of 2021 when he was appointed Assistant Principal of AMS Prince.

Assistant Principal - Rika Rodgers

Rika Rodgers was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, where she developed a deep interest in understanding human behavior and societal structures within the institution of education. This interest led her to earn a B.A. in Psychology & Sociology in 2009. Moving to Arizona in 2009, she pursued advanced studies, earning a double M.A. in Education & Health Administration in 2012. Her education in these fields equipped her with a unique blend of skills and knowledge, enabling her to address complex challenges in both educational and healthcare settings.

Currently, Ms. Rika is actively seeking PhD programs in Educational Leadership. Her ambition is to further her expertise and leverage her experience to drive systemic improvements in education. She aims to contribute to research and practice that promotes equity, inclusion, and excellence in education.

Ms. Rika is a highly qualified teacher with a deep commitment to fostering student growth and achievement. She has taught U.S. and Asian-based mathematics as a 4th grade math teacher and has served as a general education teacher for 3rd and 6th grade. Ms. Rika successfully guided her children through their education from PreK-12th grade as a homeschooler. She has taken on leadership roles as a Title I special purpose mentor, a teacher mentor, and the operator of her privately owned business. She has also contributed to the development of network-wide educational assessments, piloted a proprietary math curriculum, and served as a professional scorer for standardized tests. In 2024, she transitioned to her new role as Assistant Principal with AMS.

Ms. Rika is devoted to her family and loves playing board games, watching movies, trying new recipes, and traveling. She enjoys reading and frequenting Indie bookstores, listening to vinyl records, and savoring a latte or two.

Head of Operations - Marcela Dominguez

Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Marcela pursued her university studies in Guadalajara, Jalisco, specializing in business administration management. Throughout her career, she has gained valuable experience working with international brands, managing multiple locations, and developing expertise in operations and team leadership. After more than a decade in the restaurant industry, she discovered her passion for making a meaningful impact in the education field. Marcela's motivation to transition to the educational system stemmed from her desire to assist the Hispanic community and help individuals navigate the challenges of transitioning to a new country. She has actively contributed to projects that positively influence the lives of scholars and benefit the community. In addition to her professional pursuits, she enjoys cycling and exploring the outdoors with her husband. As a nature lover, she embraces the unique desert vibes that Tucson has to offer.

Executive Principal - Mrs. Norma Derby

Norma Derby has been an educator for 26 years, the last 7 years of which have been as the proud principal of AMS-MASSA. Graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso, she began her career as a Special Education teacher. She relocated to Tucson, AZ in 2001 where she explored other teaching opportunities, in varies grade levels as a general education teacher and as a Specials teacher at AMS-Prince. Ms. Norma received her master’s degree in educational leadership in 2014 from Northern Arizona University. Immediately after graduating she was hired by the Tucson Unified School District as an Assistant Director in the Exceptional Education Department. These years were very formative in her development as a leader by solidifying the importance of equity of all learners. In 2016, she moved into her current role as principal of MASSA.

Norma is a devoted wife to her husband, William, of 19 years and a mother of three a 23-year-old Son, an 18-year-old Daughter, and a 9-year-old Son. She loves to spend time with her family, travel, cook her favorite childhood recipes for the holidays and play with her Aussie-doodle, Penny.

A full summary of school personnel experience and resumes are available for public review upon request. Please contact the school directly.

For more information, please see the Arizona Department of Education Parental Rights Handbook Public Charter Schools