1st Grade + 2nd Grade + 3rd Grade + 4th Grade + 4th/5th Grade + 5th/6th Grade + 6th/7th/8th Grade + Adminstration + Curriculum Coordinator + Kindergarten + Library + Music + P.E. + Spanish + Special Education + Visual Art

Marcie Pratt

Mrs. Pratt grew up in Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Geology. After relocating to Phoenix, she pursued her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix. She has spent the last year as a permanent substitute here at CEE.
Mrs. Pratt believes that variety and creativity are important tools when motivating students. She will be utilizing her positive energy and expertise as she teaches reading.
When she is not at school, she enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, and spending time with her son and husband.

Mrs. Pratt’s Philosophy: It is my mission to empower students to become lifelong learners and to instill within them a belief that they can reach any goal they set their hearts and minds to. By teaching students to believe in themselves and their capabilities, they will be able to tackle any task.

Pieter Daane

Mr. Daane is a Tempe native. After graduating from ASU with a Bachelor of Science, and from the University of North Carolina with a Master of Business Administration he spent 25 years in the corporate world as a financial manager. His passion for education is now realized as CEE’s 6th-8th grade math teacher. Mr. Daane’s ultimate objective is to instill in his students a proficiency in mathematics that combines procedural fluency and conceptual understanding. In his spare time he enjoys hanging out with his two teen age sons, and playing competitive tennis.

Mr. Daane’s personal motto is from Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

Grace Gardner

Ms. Gardner has earned her B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Religious Studies from Arizona State University. Ms. Gardner has an appreciation for all cultures and has been influenced by her travels to South Africa. She hopes to spend more time outside of the country and incorporate her experiences into her classroom as a means of broadening student's worldview.
She will be teaching writing and hopes to instill a passion for the written language as a means for her student's to express themselves in a positive light as well as learn to communicate effectively.

Ms. Gardner's teaching philosophy is for students to take responsibility of their learning in a positive classroom community where each individual is comfortable taking risks and reaching higher levels of thinking.

Aurora Patino

Mrs. Patino joined our Preschool and CEE Staff in 2006 and been teaching for sixteen years. She holds degrees in Graphic Design and Industrial Design as well extensive early childhood training. Her childhood was spent in Mexico City, where she became bilingual. Mrs. Patino instructs our K-3 Spanish program. She loves interacting with the students and presenting unique Spanish lessons. In her spare time she loves bike riding with her family.

Sharon O'Hanlon

Mrs. O'Hanlon joined our team in 2002 and has been our librarian extraordinaire ever since. During her time at CEE, our library has amassed over 13,000 books and the list continues to grow. When meeting with our students, her lessons include not only fundamental library skills, but also serve to enhance the classroom objectives for the particular teacher. She also offers an after school book club for our first through third grade students. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and playing with her granddaughter.

Darlene Cluff

Mrs. Cluff is a new addition to the CEE family, but brings with her a wealth of experience, both in the classroom and on stage. She received a Master’s Degree in Opera from the University of Texas and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at El Paso. Prior to joining the CEE staff, Mrs. Cluff taught choir at Nolan Richardson Middle School. In addition to her role as a school teacher, she has also been teaching private music lessons for over 10 years and currently teaches private voice and piano at AZ Music Academy.

Her many years of performing experience include singing roles ranging from Susanna in Mozart’s "Le Nozze di Figaro" to Blanche in "Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites". She has also had the privilege to be the soprano soloist for El Paso Chamber Singers, Austin Chorale Arts Society, and U.T. Austin Chamber Singers. She is a featured soloist on the NAXOS recording of American Choral Music with the U.T. Austin Chamber Singers and has made several other recordings with the Chamber Singers for NAXOS and Koch labels. Mrs. Cluff recently performed the soprano solos for Mozart’s and Brahms’ Requiem with the St. Barnabas chancellor choir in Scottsdale.

Jeff Unterkofler

Mr. Unterkofler has been our P.E. teacher for the past two years. Prior to joining our team, he was actively involved in the health and fitness industry for over twenty years as a private fitness instructor, personal trainer, and strength and conditioning coach with the Phoenix Suns organization. He is a graduate of Arizona State University, where he earned his B.S. in Physical Education/Exercise Science. He then went on to receive his M.S. in Sports Medicine. In addition to his teaching capacity at CEE, Mr. Unterkofler also serves as an adjunct faculty member and strength and conditioning coach at a local community college.

Sara Quinn

This year marks Mrs. Quinn’s third year in the classroom and her first at CEE. Prior to joining our team, she taught at a charter school in Glendale Arizona. Mrs. Quinn received both her B.A. and teaching certificate from Concordia University in Irvine, California. Born and raised in Orange, California, she enjoys visiting her family and friends whenever she gets a chance. She was recently married to Ricky Quinn and is truly enjoying the married life. In her free time, she enjoys going to the lake and participating in all kinds of water sports.

Jody Marquis

Mrs. Marquis began her education career as a preschool teacher and has since taught second grade at CEE for the last five years. A graduate of Arizona State University, she received dual degrees in both Elementary Education and Psychology. In addition to her undergraduate work, she also obtained a Master’s degree in Reading Instruction. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, and running.

Stacey Cochran

Mrs. Cochran founded Center for Educational Excellence in 1997 and continues to demonstrate her passion for kids in her many hands-on roles. In addition to being the owner, she also serves as the principal and director of both Center for Educational Excellence and our private pre-school, Fit N’ Fun. She holds a B.S. in both physical education and special education from the University of Arizona. Prior to opening the doors of Center for Educational Excellence, Mrs. Cochran owned and operated a competitive gymnastics facility in Scottsdale for five years. She brings a special combination of experience and qualifications specifically targeted to serving the needs of children. Her devoted spirit and tireless dedication have helped to make Center for Educational Excellence a special place for countless children to learn and grow.

Over the past several years, Mrs. Cochran has been the recipient of numerous individual and school awards, all of which are a testament to her tremendous leadership and vision.

AZ LEADS Circle of Honor (2007) This distinguished group of Arizona administrators is made up of the top 2% principals in our state. Mrs.Cochran has been recognized by State Superintendent,Tom Horne, for her outstanding leadership with her teachers and exemplary achievement of her students.

Arizona Woman Million Dollar Club (2002- present) Awarded to business owners and philanthropists who have excelled in their respective fields, this honor is presented annually by Arizona Woman magazine.

Arizona Charter Schools Association School of Merit Certificate (2008) Center for Educational Excellence continues to be recognized by the charter association for our “excelling” status. An “excelling” status is the highest distinction a school can earn and is only given to those who meet the Arizona Department of Education’s stringent academic requirements. Center for Educational Excellence is proud to have earned this distinction for the past eight years.
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