Gifted Middle School

Our Recker Campus Gifted Middle School program continues with self-contained gifted classes through the 6th grade. Similar to our Elementary Gifted Program, the courses and curriculum are the same as Mainstream, however, the subject matter and projects are tailored to our Gifted students learning style.

San Tan Charter School’s Middle School experience starts in the 5th grade by offering cross-curricular learning, differentiated small group instruction, exploratory electives, social-emotional experiences, and athletic opportunities.

Gifted students follow the same block schedule as our Mainstream students, changing classrooms and teachers in preparation for secondary school. Based on the Electives chosen, Gifted students may join classes with mainstream students who are also interested in the same Electives.

Our Sample Day highlights our Middle School Block Schedule.

If you feel you have a Gifted student who has yet to be tested for Giftedness, please review our Gifted Information page to learn more about our Gifted Identification Process and Placement. In addition, see how our Gifted Community is supporting our students, families, and school programs.

Middle School Class Descriptions

Core Classes

Visit our Core Courses to learn more about Middle School Math/Science, Reading/Social Studies, and Writing.

Elective Classes

Visit our Electives to learn more about Technology, Art, Performance, and Athletic Elective offerings at San Tan Charter School.

My “Why” Story

Shannon Yocklin

Gifted 4th Grade Teacher

Raised by a teacher and coming from a family of people involved in community involvement and service, teaching was a natural progression for me. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2006 and started teaching in elementary positions.

This will be my 12th year teaching and my third at San Tan. I really love teaching upper elementary and refining skills and seeing the lightbulb moments when students are able to connect all of their previous learning.

Megan Hubbard

Montessori 4th-6th Grade Teacher

As a child, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. When I started teaching preschool at the age of 20, I knew that working with kids was my calling. After ten years of teaching in an outdoor classroom school, I took a five-year break when I had my son and daughter. I decided to go back to school and pursue an MEd in order to further my career and be able to incorporate my love of nature with the growing need for technology in the classroom. I love to teach and working with mixed-age classes has been an amazing adventure.

Stefany Gustafson

5th Grade Math & Science Teacher

This is my 12th year at San Tan Charter. I love the philosophy of the school and the opportunity to be true to myself and what kind of a teacher I want to be.

I worked in real estate and taught piano lessons from my home for many years while my kids were little. I went back to school 13 years ago and received my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. I have been a long term substitute in the Gilbert school district, Intermediate Resource aide, 6th-8th teacher at San Tan Learning Center, 5th grade teacher, Jr High Math and now headed back to my favorite grade 5th. I love my students and teaching.

In my time of substitute teaching and being an aide, I realized that I don’t fit into the typical district teacher mold. I have chosen to stay at San Tan because they have recognized, embraced, and valued that about me.

Stefany Camba

Kindergarten Teacher

I am thrilled to be teaching Kindergarten for another year here at San Tan Charter. I love the family like feeling at San Tan Charter School and love how each individual child is important.

I am a teacher because I have a passion for learning.
I am a teacher because I want to grow lifelong learners.
I am a teacher because I love to laugh and kids are hilarious when free to be themselves.
I am a teacher because I have many talents and teaching allows me to use them all.
I am a teacher because I want every child to have a positive school experience.
I am a teacher because I had great teachers who inspired me.
I am a teacher because I know that a true understanding of life isn’t measured on a test, but in the way we treat others.
I am a teacher because watching a child’s growth from August to May is unlike anything any other profession can offer.
I am a teacher because although it’s far from the perfect job, it’s the perfect job for me.

Barbara Cowled

Gifted 6th Grade Math & Science Teacher

I went into teaching in 2002 until I had my oldest son and decided to stay home to raise my children. I started a business in 2007 and ran it until 2018 when my youngest son told me I needed to do what I loved. He was correct so I came back to teaching. I am so happy my 16-year-old was able to teach me an important life lesson. I feel that every person, especially kids, have something to teach us throughout our lives and hopefully I can teach them a few things along the way!

Kim Aguilar

Montessori Kinder Teacher

Teaching became my passion when I volunteered in my daughter’s Montessori classroom, I decided I wanted to become a Montessori teacher when I witnessed firsthand the academic, social, and emotional growth of my daughter and her peers. I started training in a toddler classroom in a Montessori school in 1999, I knew this is what I wanted to do and took my Primary Montessori training, and completed at the National Center for Montessori Education in Los Alamos, NM in 2006. Being able to create an environment for students to be true explorers of life, academics, social and emotional development.

Monica Dippre

1st Grade Gifted Teacher

I grew up in the PNW where I got my teaching degree and my Master’s in Education. I taught for 10 years until left teaching to own/operate restaurants with my husband. During that time, we began fostering and adopting children, and when we welcomed our third child into our home, we left the restaurant business and I stayed home to raise our kids. We now have 5 adopted children and I have spent much of my time volunteering in areas that allow me to be with my own children and work with other kids as well I have been a substitute teacher. I have planned and executed preschool classes and preschool religious education programs. I have volunteered as a library aide at school and be involved in may other child-centered activities. I am intrigued and impressed by the commitment to the individuality of the child a STCS. I am looking forward to growing here, as an educator and as a parent, and am excited to lead my students to discover their personal successes.

Dr. Kristofer Sippel

Chief Executive Officer/Superintendent

Dr. Sippel has been with San Tan Charter School since its inception back in 2005 serving as the Principal of San Tan Learning Center. He believes that it is his life mission and calling to provide an amazing education experience to all students.

Gini (Virginia) Sterling

6th Grade ELA & SS Teacher

I come from a family of teachers – I knew I’d be a teacher when I was in kindergarten. I used to sit on my kitchen counter and “teach” the square tiles which I pretended were desks. My little brother was a model student!

I grew up in Cave Creek and attended Arizona State University, where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in French. Later, I received my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with my Reading Endorsement from Northern Arizona University.

2021-2022 will be my 13^th year in education and my fourth year at San Tan. I started teaching in downtown Phoenix, 3^rd grade and then many years teaching 1^st grade. I spent a year and a half as a TOSA, supporting all K-5 teachers and staff, and then taught 7^th grade English. I was a teacher mentor for 7 years and enjoyed advising high school yearbook as well as National Junior Honor Society. I’ve taught 5^th and 6^th grade here at San Tan and am excited to stay in 6^th grade and help prepare our students for junior high! I love reading and writing and can’t wait to help my students dive into ancient world history.

Michelle Myers

Montessori Teacher (1st-3rd)

From the moment I became a mom 21 years ago, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My first child struggled to speak and I spent years working with speech pathologists at Duke University to help him overcome the challenges of Apraxia of Speech. The day he read the first page of Harry Potter aloud to me, I developed a massive passion for helping children learn to read.

I homeschooled my children supporting their passions for exploring the world around them as we traveled the country. I have taught reading support for over 10 years. Last year I was an assistant kindergarten teacher and a substitute.

I have studied at Grand Canyon University to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education k-8 and I’m in the last couple of credits to adding a reading specialty. I have taken courses with AMI and NAMC for Montessori education.

This will be my first year at San Tan Charter School teaching in the Montessori program.

Kim Aguilar

Montessori Kinder Teacher

Teaching became my passion when I volunteered in my daughter’s Montessori classroom, I decided I wanted to become a Montessori teacher when I witnessed firsthand the academic, social, and emotional growth of my daughter and her peers. I started training in a toddler classroom in a Montessori school in 1999, I knew this is what I wanted to do and took my Primary Montessori training, and completed at the National Center for Montessori Education in Los Alamos, NM in 2006.

It is my mission to instill the love of learning in my students and develop their desire to become life-long learners. I feel very lucky and grateful to have had the opportunity to grow as a teacher these past 21 years and look forward to continue learning from my students and become a better teacher with each passing school year.

Stefany Camba

1st Grade Teacher

I am thrilled to be teaching 1st grade for another year here at San Tan Charter. I love the family like feeling at San Tan Charter School and love how each individual child is important.

I am a teacher because I have a passion for learning.
I am a teacher because I want to grow lifelong learners.
I am a teacher because I love to laugh and kids are hilarious when free to be themselves.
I am a teacher because I have many talents and teaching allows me to use them all.
I am a teacher because I want every child to have a positive school experience.
I am a teacher because I had great teachers who inspired me.
I am a teacher because I know that a true understanding of life isn’t measured on a test, but in the way we treat others.
I am a teacher because watching a child’s growth from August to May is unlike anything any other profession can offer.
I am a teacher because although it’s far from the perfect job, it’s the perfect job for me.

Michelle Rigsbee

Montessori 1st-3rd Grade Teacher

From the moment I became a mom 21 years ago, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My first child struggled to speak and I spent years working with speech pathologists at Duke University to help him overcome the challenges of Apraxia of Speech. The day he read the first page of Harry Potter aloud to me, I developed a massive passion for helping children learn to read.

I homeschooled my children supporting their passions for exploring the world around them as we traveled the country. I have taught reading support for over 10 years. Last year I was an assistant kindergarten teacher and a substitute.

I have studied at Grand Canyon University to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education k-8 and I’m in the last couple of credits to adding a reading specialty. I have taken courses with AMI and NAMC for Montessori education.

This will be my first year at San Tan Charter School teaching in the Montessori program.

Jimmy Ray

Math Teacher/Head Golf Coach

I was born in California, but grew up in Apache Junction, Arizona. I attended school there from kindergarten through graduation. I received my Associates degree while attending both Mesa Community College and Phoenix College. I transferred to Arizona State University to complete my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. During this time I was employed through the Maricopa Community College District teaching math programs to minority students as well as the athletic department at Arizona State.

My first teaching job was back in Apache Junction in 1996 where I taught junior high and high school math for 15 years along with coaching football, girls basketball and track and field. In 2011, I transferred over to Williams Field High School continuing to teach math and coach football and track.

I am starting my 28th year this school year as a teacher and coach. I am looking forward to a great experience.

Tanna Dean

Montessori Makerspace/Outdoor Environment Teacher

I moved to Arizona three years ago from New England. My husband and I choose the Northeast because I really wanted to raise my children to be close to family nature. Some of my fondest memories are spending time at educational gardens and farms with my kids.

I think one of the most influential experiences was when my daughter (three years old at the time) and I were volunteering at Stonewall Farm and she asked what a creature she found in the garden was and what it did. I told her it was beetle and said she should watch it for a while and see what it did. She diligently followed her little subject down the row of beans. I went back to weeding and a moment later she was running back to me, beaming with pride and shouting that “It flies! It flies!”. That moment of wonder and pride is what draws me back to teaching again and again.

This is my first year at San Tan Charter School and I am looking forward to cultivating opportunities for exploration and discovery in the outdoor environment.

Kristin Vega

6th Grade Gifted Teacher

I am originally from NorthWest Indiana, just outside of Chicago. I grew up there until I was 18 when I left to attend Arizona State University, where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Later, I attended Walden University where I receive My Master’s Degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment as well as my Educational Specialist in Administration. I taught 2nd grade my first year out of college and then moved to 6th grade in a middle school setting for the next 8 years. In 2013, I decided to take a break from teaching in order to stay home and love on my daughters (ages 6 and 8 who will be joining me at STCS). I’m returning to the classroom extremely excited and ready to meet all of our students and our families!

Kristofer Sippel Jr.

District Athletic and Facilities Director

It’s awesome to work at a place where there is a family atmosphere, it makes it easier to show up to work every day with a smile on your face! I was born and raised here in Arizona; I grew up in Gilbert until I took an academic/athletic scholarship to play football at Webber International University in Florida. I have been around San Tan Charter School my whole life and have always worked to make the campus better. I started in Facilities and have worked my way up to the Athletic Director position. Giving back to the kids make life/work easier, at the end of the day I want to see kids graduate and go to the next level whether that be academically or athletically.

Christine Gray

Registrar

I love being a part of the STCS family and thank you for sharing your children with me when they walk through the front doors!

Gifted Middle School

Middle School Class Descriptions

Core Classes

Elective Classes

Gifted 4th Grade Teacher

Montessori 4th-6th Grade Teacher

5th Grade Math & Science Teacher

Kindergarten Teacher

Gifted 6th Grade Math & Science Teacher

Montessori Kinder Teacher

1st Grade Gifted Teacher

Chief Executive Officer/Superintendent

6th Grade ELA & SS Teacher

Montessori Teacher (1st-3rd)

Montessori Kinder Teacher

1st Grade Teacher

Montessori 1st-3rd Grade Teacher

Math Teacher/Head Golf Coach

Montessori Makerspace/Outdoor Environment Teacher

6th Grade Gifted Teacher

District Athletic and Facilities Director

Registrar

SCHEDULE A TOUR OR CONTACT US

Recker Campus (Pre K – 6th)

3959 E Elliot Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234

Phone: 480-222-0811

Fax: 480-471-5990

Email: Email Us

Power Campus (7th – 12th)

3232 S Power Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234

Phone: 480-222-0811

Fax: 480-809-6467

Email: Email Us

SCHEDULE A TOUR OR CONTACT US

Recker Campus (Pre K – 6th)

3959 E Elliot Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234

Phone: 480-222-0811

Fax: 480-471-5990

Email: Email Us

Power Campus (7th – 12th)

3232 S Power Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234

Phone: 480-222-0811

Fax: 480-809-6467

Email: Email Us

SCHEDULE A TOUR
OR CONTACT US

SCHEDULE A TOUR
OR CONTACT US