Meet the Sureño Administration

Dr. Jim Strogen
Before entering teaching, I received my bachelor’s degree in Biology from Marietta College in Ohio and my master’s degree from the University of Michigan in Natural Resources.   In December,  2007 I received my Ed. D from ASU in Educational Leadership.   When I started my college career I planned on studying fish and insects before finding that my real joy came in working with children.  As you can see by the book that I am holding, I still love insects, and every year I look forward to sharing my insect collection with our second graders as they study insects as part of the science curriculum. 
 

Prior to coming to Kyrene I taught sixth grade in Kansas City, Kansas and 5^th grade and middle school science at the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon Unified School District.  My wife and I were also Ranger Naturalists at Grand Canyon for several summers, while I taught.   I have been a teacher and administrator in the Kyrene School District for 24 years.  Besides teaching second and sixth grade in Kyrene, I was an assistant principal at Paloma and Sureño for seven years and then the assistant director of Curriculum and Assessment for 4 years at the Kyrene District.  I was the principal at Kyrene de los Lagos for six years before returning to Kyrene del Sureño. 

I am thrilled to be the principal at Kyrene del Sureño.  I look forward to working with  you throughout the year.

Ms. Jo Hanken

        A long time ago, in a land far away, with rolling fields, tornadoes and cornfields, a little girl was born.  The land known as Iowa, is where this little girl grew up and went to school.  Ms. Hanken is that little girl, and I am Ms. Hanken.  I grew up in the great state of Iowa and went to the University of Northern Iowa to learn about Social Work.  I graduated from there with a B.S.W., and went to the Univeristy of Iowa to continue with my graduate studies.

While in Iowa, I worked with families and children who were having many types of problems. During that time, I taught counseling courses at Kirkwood Community College. When I came to Arizona, I decided to teach children, because I discovered how teachers can make a difference in children's lives.  I wanted to be part of that difference.

I have been a Kyrene teacher for many years, spending all my years at Kyrene Middle School until I came to Sureńo this year. I taught 6th grade for many years -- both grade level and advanced math and language arts, and sometimes social studies.  For the last eight years, I taught, mentored and coordinated the KMS Title One program.  As a member of the Kyrene community, I have served as a District Lead Mentor for middle schools, a member of various committees, including:  Curriculum, Reading and Writing Adoption, and KEA Professional Growth..

I have a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction , and I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Language Arts.  I am thrilled to be at Sureńo, and look forward to working with the children and families of this school and community.