Superintendent, Sacaton Elementary School District #18

Robert “Bob” Lewandowski is starting his 20th year as a Superintendent and his first at Sacaton Elementary School District. He has been in education for 35 years. Prior to coming to Sacaton, he served as superintendent in Montana and Wyoming. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Chadron State College in Secondary Education and Administration. He completed all course work for an educational doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Wyoming. Lewandowski currently holds licensure as a superintendent in Wyoming, Montana, and Arizona.

Mr. Lewandowski was born and raised in Nebraska. His high school sweetheart and wife, Debra, is also a teacher. They have three daughters, a son-in-law and a grandson. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and photography.

Lewandowski has been awarded several leadership acknowledgements through the years. He was recently named the South Eastern Montana Superintendent of the year. 

Lewandowski is loyal to empowering students with an equal and equitable education. A leader that understands “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” He is committed to providing the needed safety support and belonging required of staff and students for their success. He is looking forward to serving the students and community of Sacaton.

Email Mr. Robert Lewandowski

Principal, Sacaton Elementary School

Stephanie Celis is the Principal for Sacaton Elementary School, PreK-4. As the administrative and instructional leader for PreK-4, she is responsible for helping all students become innovative leaders and problem solvers who are prepared for success in college and their preferred careers.

Stephanie Celis comes to Sacaton Elementary School with 21 years of experience and a passion for teaching and learning. Stephanie’s varied experiences as an instructional leader include: Teacher, Curriculum Integration/Library Media Specialist, Instructional Coach, Senior Student Information Systems Coordinator, Director of Academic Programs and Assessments, Principal at ASU Preparatory Academy, and current position as Principal of Sacaton Elementary School.  These experiences have shaped Stephanie’s unwavering belief that all children are able to learn at high levels not by accident but by design. 

As an Arizona native, Stephanie attended Arizona State University and earned a B.A. in Elementary Education. She earned two Master's degrees, one in Educational Leadership and one in Curriculum and Instruction. Stephanie continues to serve this mission by pledging to elevate instructional teams to reach their highest potential so that all students may have a meaningful and purposeful school experience. A safe and positive campus climate will always be at the forefront of Stephanie’s priorities. She believes communication, being visible and available to listen to all concerns are key in ensuring a successful experience for all. 

When she’s not working with students and teachers at Sacaton Elementary School, she is spending time with her husband Alex and three energetic daughters, Kylie, Teagan and Harper.

Mrs. Celis and her school staff are excited to serve the students of Sacaton Elementary School… Go Braves!

Email Ms. Stephanie Celis

Principal, Sacaton Middle School

Mr. Schopp is excited to take on the role of principal at Sacaton Middle School.

Mr. Schopp graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master’s in Education in May 2018 and received his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Mr. Schopp has applied to the doctoral program in Education Leadership at Arizona State University. Mr. Schopp began his educational career as an Academic Counselor at St. Francis Indian School in 1998 and then as the Director of Higher Education for the Rosebud-Sioux tribe in South Dakota.

In 2015 Mr. Schopp moved to Arizona and taught a Verrado High School in Buckeye until 2021. During his tenure at Verrado, he led the Algebra II PLC every year. In 2021, Mr. Schopp joined Youngker High School in Buckeye as the Math Department Chair to lead 18 math teachers. From 2022-2023, the ACT average math scores increased at Youngker. 

Mr. Schopp believes all students can learn and achieve at high levels and is excited to serve the students of Sacaton Middle School. 

Go Braves! 

Email Mr. Don Schopp

Director of Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment

Ms. Ybarra has been a successful educator for the past 35 years as a teacher, principal, director and most recently an executive director for Early Learning and Community Schools in Scottsdale School District.  She has had the opportunity to open two new schools for Gilbert Public School District and Higley Public School District.   She has worked in inner city, rural and suburban schools.  She received her undergrad from New Mexico State University in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education and her masters from Arizona State University in Educational Leadership and Supervisory.  Debbie and her husband Stephen Ybarra (Administrator) have been married 29 years and have three adult children, Jose Joseph graduate from UofA who followed his parent’s footsteps into the education field in special education, Gabriella graduate from ASU in (Hospitality) and Christiano graduate from ASU in Electrical Engineering.  

Mrs. Ybarra has had the opportunity to lead the Elementary Principals for the State as the President of the Arizona School Administrators Elementary Division and held the office of Secretary for ASA Board.  As a principal, her school received the honor of being named the #1 elementary school in the state of Arizona based on their AZMerit test results, along with being named a A+ school of excellence site.  She has trained many educators who have gone on to be Principals, Curriculum Directors, Superintendents and Literacy Coaches but what she is most proud of is the accomplishments of her students and adults that she has worked with.  She believes that if you make each decision on what is best for students then students will always excel.  Relationships are important and students need to believe that adults are there for them always.    

Email Mrs. Debbie Ybarra

Director of Exceptional Student Services

Sara Word has both large and small school ESS experience. She is joining us with 19 years of education experience. She has her MA in Education Admin, and two Bachelor degrees: one in Sped. Ed and the other in Psychology. She is certified in administration, and she also holds certifications in K-12 Emotional Disabilities and K-12 Learning Disabilities.

Go Braves!

Email Ms. Sara Word

Director of Technology

Jake McCormick, as the Director of Technology, his goal is to serve teachers and students by establishing an environment that encourages creative and independent use of technology throughout the school district. This includes researching new and emerging technologies, providing technical guidance in infrastructure, hardware, software, and technical support for teachers and students campus-wide.

Jake grew up in western Nebraska and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Network and System Administration. Jake served as a Network Engineer for a regional school office serving twelve different school districts and later became the Technology Director for a school district south of Lincoln, NE. Jake has served on teams that have developed cyber security, infrastructure, and best student computer device practices.

Jake is excited to be part of a great community and team at Sacaton School District!

Email Mr. Jake McCormick

Director of Transportation

Lisa has been in the Student Transportation industry for twelve years. She started as a part-time bus driver. Her love for training/teaching took her to the next level, as she quickly moved into the training department for one of the five largest school district in Arizona.  As her knowledge of state and federal regulations grew, she received her certification with the Department of Public Safety to train school bus drivers and then obtained her third-party testing certification with the Arizona Department of Transportation. She enjoys the process of teaching the skills necessary to operate a school bus safely. Students are our number one priority.

She knows a bus driver is an extremely important part of a student's day being successful. Bus Drivers are the first-person students see in the morning and the last one to send them off in the evening. Our positive energy can be what helps carry them through their day.

Lisa is looking forward to a great year ahead, she understands the importance for clear communication with her staff to ensure that every member of her team knows they are a valuable asset in the success of the department.

She spends her summer months driving a bus on the lower salt river taking tubers up and down the river.  She enjoys the diversity of people, the wild horses and the beautiful scenery along Usery Pass.

On a personal level, she loves to ride her motorcycle, going on long rides through the mountains.  Camping in the pines in Northern Arizona, jumping on her mountain bike and riding the trails, sailing in the open waters on Mission Bay in San Diego, and spending quality time with loved ones and family.

Email Mrs. Lisa Pauli-Lake

Director of Facilities

Nick Stalter joins our Sacaton team with 18 years of asset management and leadership experience. He spent the last 12 years as the Facilities Maintenance Supervisor for the City of Casa Grande. He has extensive training in HVAC systems, electrical, and plumping. He also has experience in finance procurement, personnel management, and budget processing. 

Go Braves!

Email Mr. Nick Stalter

Director of Food Services

Go Braves!

Email Mr. Will Trotter