ChandlerUnified School District

Cassie Bohlig
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3754 | Email

Cassie earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. She received a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Benedictine University and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University. Prior to becoming an academic coach, Cassie spent 20 years in the classroom teaching students in grades K-5. She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Karen Brooks
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3766 | Email

Karen earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Point Loma Nazarene University. She received a Master of Education, Human Relations degree from Northern Arizona University. Before coming to the IRC, Karen was a classroom teacher for 12 years, as well as a site-based Instructional Coach for two years. She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Leslie Hicks
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3760 | Email

Leslie is a graduate of Arizona State University. She has Master's Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Arizona University and Physical Education from Arizona State University. Leslie is the Past President of the Arizona Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Prior to joining the IRC, Leslie taught kindergarten through sixth grade physical education.

Kathy Lynch
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3769 | Email

Kathy received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and her Master's degree in Elementary and Technology from University of Phoenix. She has experience working with kindergarten and first grade students , traditional academies, second language learners, and Title 1 populations since 1999. She has been with Chandler Unified School District since 2006.

Brian Pomerantz
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3764 | Email

Brian holds bachelor's degrees in Zoology and Secondary Education and master's degrees in Political Science and Educational Leadership. He began teaching in 2005 with Hilliard City School, in Hilliard Ohio. Brian has been with CUSD since 2010. His experiences include student services, secondary science, administration, athletics, and curriculum.

Philip Robertson
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3768 | Email

Philip earned his Bachelor's Degree in History with an Education Certification from the University of Iowa. He holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Master of Arts in History from Arizona State University. Philip has held endorsements in American History, World History, Government, and ELA. Working with 7th-12th graders, he has taught students in Iowa, Nevada, and Hawaii. Since 2010, Philip has worked in both the Yuma and the downtown Phoenix area. Philip has also been a member of the National Council for History Education, the American Academy of Religion, the Arizona Geographic Alliance, the Arizona Council for Social Studies, and the Arizona Council for History Education.

Eric Rygiel
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3700 | Email

Eric has worked for the Chandler Unified School District since 2017. He graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Education with an emphasis in Mathematics. He received his Master's in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University. Before joining the IRC in 2021, Eric spent time teaching Mathematics in Tempe Union High School District as well as the Chandler USD working with students in grades 9-12. Eric is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Sarah Sacco
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3761 | Email

Sarah has worked for the Chandler Unified School District since 2009. An ASU graduate, she holds master's degrees in both Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership. Before coming to the IRC, she was an elementary school administrator and a secondary English teacher.

Emily Squire
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3729 | Email

Emily graduated summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Mathematics. She received her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Technology from Grand Canyon University while simultaneously earning her K-8 Reading Endorsement through Fitchburg University and becoming Wilson Certified. Before joining the IRC in 2016, Emily spent her entire teaching career in Chandler USD working with students in grades 3-6. She has coached teachers at the Primary through Secondary levels as well as provided professional development to teachers and administrators. Emily is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Angela Storey
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 224-3759 | Email

Angela supports fine arts students and teachers in the areas of general music, band, orchestra, choir, dance, drama/theatre, and visual art. She supports the annual district art show and the fine arts diploma seal. Angela is a graduate of the University of Washington. She also earned master's degrees from ASU in Educational Administration and Supervision, and Curriculum and Instruction. She taught 2nd and 3rd grade and has several years of experience as an assistant principal at both the elementary and middle school levels. She is a violinist with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra. She joined CUSD in 2020.

Tracy Tolstedt
Academic Coach
Phone: (480) 812-7020 | Email

Tracy received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Arizona State University and her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Arizona University. Since she began her career in 1990, Tracy has taught Kindersteps, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th grade at the elementary level before moving to junior high to teach Career Technology, Media Production and Computer Applications to 7th and 8th graders. She returned to the elementary level in 2005 to teach computer skills to elementary students and assumed the position of Media Specialist. Tracy has Library/Media and Early Childhood Endorsements. She joined the IRC Staff in 2017 as an Instructional Technology Coach.