Welcome to the 2025-26 school year!  I want to take a moment to introduce myself.  My name is Diana Armentrout.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University.  I also have my ESL endorsement and my early childhood endorsement.  This will be my 22nd year teaching elementary school.  I have been married for almost 29 years and Sean and I have a daughter, Becca who works in PR and a son, Aaron who graduated from GCU. As a family, we love going to the beach in either California or Hawaii.  We also enjoy going to our family cabin in Payson, where we like to hike, fish or just relax. In my free time, I like to read, watch reality T.V., cook and spend time with family and friends.  I am looking forward to a wonderful school year.

Mrs. Armentrout's Top Ten

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Food: Italian

Favorite Drinks: Water, Decaf Ice Tea, Lemonade

Favorite Things To Do To Relax: Pedicures, Massages and Reading

Favorite Stores: Amazon, Walmart & Target

Favorite Flower: Carnations  (I love all flowers)

Favorite Restaurants: Babbos, Black Angus, Olive Garden & Chili's 

Favorite Candy: Reese Peanut Butter Cups, Dark Chocolate & Orange or Raspberry 

Favorite Place to Visit: Disneyland and the beach 

A recent graduate of Northern Arizona University, Mr. Braun is excited to be teaching at Stetson Hills School this year. He student taught in DVUSD at Highland Lakes School, and begin working for the district in January 2024 at Las Brisas Elementary. During his time at Las Brisas, he taught PreK-6th Grade general music and revived the choir program, which had not existed that year. 

Mr. Braun's recent choral experiences include singing with Shrine of the Ages, the Advanced Mixed collegiate ensemble at NAU. He has also been an active member of the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers, with whom he traveled to New York for a world premiere at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Braun has an extensive choral background, beginning with his time in the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus. As a member of the Boys Chorus, he had the opportunity to travel to China, Germany, France, Switzerland, and a portion of the continental United States. 

In the classroom, Mr. Braun believes strongly in student voice and the student experience, and sees his students as not just singers, but as members and leaders of a cooperative choral community. He hopes to build better, kinder, and well-rounded individuals as well as skilled musicians. 

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Music & Choir Website

Please feel free to reach out with questions or concerns at any time, and I will respond to your email within 24 hours or on Monday if received over the weekend. I look forward to hearing from you and to working with your students this year!

My name is Dr. Kunz. I'm extremely excited for the 2025-2026 year. Here is a little about myself. I am originally from Cincinnati, OH and came to Arizona in 2006. My degrees include: a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from University of South Carolina, a Master of Music degree in Oboe Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Oboe Performance from Arizona State University.

My main instrument is the oboe, on which I have been a featured performer at the Midwest Clinic with the Lakota West High School Symphonic Winds,  the Southwestern Ohio Symphonic Band, and the Tempe Symphonic Wind Ensemble. In 2008, I was the Interim Principal Oboe with the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra and Chinook Winds Quintet in Great Falls, Montana, as well as Associate Principal Oboe of the Helena Symphony in Helena, Montana. I have served as DVUSD Honor Band clinician and Coordinator, Arizona 6th grade All-State Band clinician, and often adjudicate bands for the Scottsdale Band Festival. I have been in DVUSD for 15 years! I was named DVEF Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023.

Outside of the classroom, I am quite the animal lover. I have 4 dogs, but no children. I have one chiweenie, one miniature dachshund, and two miniature pinscher mixes that are giving me a run for my money! We did have a paralyzed dachshund for many years whom I loved dearly. I began golfing in October 2018 and LOVE it! Most Sundays I can be found on the course. I can be seen every morning with my coffee, as it is one of my favorite things. I always cheer on the Cincinnati Bengals, Who Dey! I am gluten free, not by choice but have an intolerance to anything with wheat. 

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Degrees and Certifications:

1. BM Music Education with Performance Certificate from University of South Carolina
2. MM Oboe Performance from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
3. DMA Oboe Performance from Arizona State University

Hello, my name is Jacob Hughes, and I am excited about my third year teaching PE at Stetson Hills! I am looking forward to working with your child, and excited about the 25/26 school year.

I was born and raised here in Arizona and grew up in the Deer Valley Unified School District. I attended GCC before graduating from Arizona Christian University where I earned a BS in Secondary ED and Certification for Physical Education. 

I enjoy working out, playing various team sports like volleyball, traveling, spending time with friends and family, along with playing games.

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Qualifications: Degree B.S.: Bachelor of Science - Granted 12/18/2022 Major: Secondary Education / Concentration in History - Completed 12/18/2022 Institution ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Full Endorsements * Structured English Immersion, PreK-12 * Physical Education, PreK-12

    Welcome to the 25/26 school year!!  My name is Michael Shaffer (Coach Shaffer) and this is my 18th year teaching, 8th year in the Deer Valley District and 8th year here at Stetson Hills, where I am proud to be a Stallion and be a part of this team of teachers. 

    I started at a private school (Rancho Solano). There I taught P.E. in grades k-4. I was also the assistant Jr. high football and basketball coach. The next 10 years, I was in the Peoria School District. Here I taught P.E. in grades k-8. I was the assistant basketball coach for 3 years and then eventually the head coach for the last 5 years. Currently, I am entering my 6th year here in Deer Valley and will be the boys jr. high head basketball coach for my 7th year. 

   My family moved to Phoenix in 1972 from Rochester, N.Y. when I was just 5.  I attended elementary school in Washington Elementary District k-8. For high school, I attended the Glendale Union School District, where I attended Cortez High School.  Go COLTS!!!  From there, I attended Ottawa University where I received my bachelor's in Public Administration. After back surgery, I was forced to change careers. This is what led me to teaching P.E. I have always loved sports and kids, so here I am. Excited to start the new year!

     I am an avid sports fan. SUNS, COYOTES, CARDINALS, DIAMONDBACKS, and, of course, the SUN DEVILS!! 

Phone: 623-445-5340

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Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelors from University of Ottawa in Public Administration (2002)
certification in Secondary Education University of Ottawa (2007)

Hello, and thank you for visiting my website. I look forward to being your child's Art Teacher!

     I grew up in Sugar Land, Texas and soccer was a passion in my life for 8 years. I graduated from Mountain Ridge High School and Arizona State University with a degree in Elementary Education.

     I am married to my wonderful husband, Matt, and we have two sons, Benjamin and Caleb.  I enjoy reading, traveling, watching movies, and hanging out with my family. You can usually find us at the baseball fields. 

     This will be my 16th year teaching in the Deer Valley Unified School District. 

     My goal is to create a community of learners that feel respected and challenged. In my classroom, the students and I will work towards the success of all students.  I look forward to working with you to bring out the best in each of the students. 

     If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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