Board of Directors
DVA Board President Welcome
It is my pleasure to serve on the Board of Directors for Deer Valley Charter Schools. We believe that Deer Valley Academy exists to meet the unique needs of high school students seeking a small, close knit educational opportunity. Youth with a thirst for learning will find that DVA creative teachers will help them connect with courses in a way they have not known. Our AdvancEd accreditation means that we have the same standards as all high schools. Due to the COVID restrictions, we adopted a blended learning program with students working virtually and meeting personally with teachers to stay on track for graduation. You may enroll to complete your high school diploma or you can take a class to support your graduation plan. The board focuses on student success by approving curriculum, hiring excellent teachers and staff members, adopting and overseeing the budget, and supervising the Executive Director. Board members are appointed for two-year terms and officers serve one year. We meet eight times per year and meetings are open to the public. Call (602) 388-4444 or go to info@deervalleyacademy.org for additional information
Excellence in learning opens doors.
Arlene Duston
Board of Directors President
Deer Valley Charter Schools, Inc.
It is my pleasure to serve on the Board of Directors for Deer Valley Charter Schools. We believe that Deer Valley Academy exists to meet the unique needs of high school students seeking a small, close knit educational opportunity. Youth with a thirst for learning will find that DVA creative teachers will help them connect with courses in a way they have not known. Our AdvancEd accreditation means that we have the same standards as all high schools. Due to the COVID restrictions, we adopted a blended learning program with students working virtually and meeting personally with teachers to stay on track for graduation. You may enroll to complete your high school diploma or you can take a class to support your graduation plan. The board focuses on student success by approving curriculum, hiring excellent teachers and staff members, adopting and overseeing the budget, and supervising the Executive Director. Board members are appointed for two-year terms and officers serve one year. We meet eight times per year and meetings are open to the public. Call (602) 388-4444 or go to info@deervalleyacademy.org for additional information
Excellence in learning opens doors.
Arlene Duston
Board of Directors President
Deer Valley Charter Schools, Inc.
Arlene Duston - President
Arlene Duston is President of the Deer Valley Charter Schools Inc. Board of Directors. She became a member of the Board of Directors for the charter prior to its opening and served as Secretary-Treasurer.
Duston has volunteered on various educational boards including 16 years on Deer Valley Unified School District Governing Board, Arizona School Boards Association, AdvancEd (North Central Association) Arizona State Committee, NCA Executive Committee, Arizona Distance Learning Association and Greater Phoenix Educational Management Council. She was recognized as an All Arizona School Board member and NCA Circle of Excellence Award winner. Mrs. Duston holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. While Mrs. Duston was employed at Blueprint Education, a distance leaning and alternative education organization, she served as a member of the planning team to open the charter schools then directed Hope High School Online, an Arizona virtual school. She also worked in public relations and academic roles.
Arlene Duston is President of the Deer Valley Charter Schools Inc. Board of Directors. She became a member of the Board of Directors for the charter prior to its opening and served as Secretary-Treasurer.
Duston has volunteered on various educational boards including 16 years on Deer Valley Unified School District Governing Board, Arizona School Boards Association, AdvancEd (North Central Association) Arizona State Committee, NCA Executive Committee, Arizona Distance Learning Association and Greater Phoenix Educational Management Council. She was recognized as an All Arizona School Board member and NCA Circle of Excellence Award winner. Mrs. Duston holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. While Mrs. Duston was employed at Blueprint Education, a distance leaning and alternative education organization, she served as a member of the planning team to open the charter schools then directed Hope High School Online, an Arizona virtual school. She also worked in public relations and academic roles.
Vicki Boone
Vicki Boone has lived in the Deer Valley Unified School District boundaries for more than 30 years. She is the mother of 3 children, all graduates of DVUSD. Mrs. Boone retired from DVUSD after working for them for over 25 years. She has an extensive background in student management systems and IT support, her last position with DVUSD was Software Systems Analyst.
Mrs. Boone is a strong supporter of student choice and the belief that all students can learn and can succeed, and she believes that options in education are important, as not every student fits the same mold of learning.
Mrs. Boone is surrounded by family, and with a new granddaughter that keeps her very busy. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, reading, movies, grabbing a sports event and biking around the neighborhood. Mrs. Boone serves as a member of Talas Homeowners Association and was previously a leader of La Leche League International.
Vicki Boone has lived in the Deer Valley Unified School District boundaries for more than 30 years. She is the mother of 3 children, all graduates of DVUSD. Mrs. Boone retired from DVUSD after working for them for over 25 years. She has an extensive background in student management systems and IT support, her last position with DVUSD was Software Systems Analyst.
Mrs. Boone is a strong supporter of student choice and the belief that all students can learn and can succeed, and she believes that options in education are important, as not every student fits the same mold of learning.
Mrs. Boone is surrounded by family, and with a new granddaughter that keeps her very busy. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, reading, movies, grabbing a sports event and biking around the neighborhood. Mrs. Boone serves as a member of Talas Homeowners Association and was previously a leader of La Leche League International.
Katheryn Hedges
Ms. Katheryn Hedges has served as a member of the Deer Valley Charter Schools, Inc. since 2016. She previously devoted over 30 years as an enthusiastic educator at various grade levels; 14 years as an Advanced Placement Government and Politics teacher at the high school level, 10 years of Political Science at the community college, and taught Social Studies at the middle school level. She has experience in staff development, coaching, leading AP Government Workshops, and grading of National Assessments. The Arizona Bar Foundation awarded her the John J. Ross Memorial Award for Teacher Excellence in Law Related Education, and she was a Teacher of the Year Finalist for the Deer Valley Unified District. She was listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. She coached the Deer Valley High School Mock Trial Team to win the state championship 10 times, three national finals, and a National Championship in 1997.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a major in Political Science, and a Master’s in Secondary Education.
Ms. Katheryn Hedges has served as a member of the Deer Valley Charter Schools, Inc. since 2016. She previously devoted over 30 years as an enthusiastic educator at various grade levels; 14 years as an Advanced Placement Government and Politics teacher at the high school level, 10 years of Political Science at the community college, and taught Social Studies at the middle school level. She has experience in staff development, coaching, leading AP Government Workshops, and grading of National Assessments. The Arizona Bar Foundation awarded her the John J. Ross Memorial Award for Teacher Excellence in Law Related Education, and she was a Teacher of the Year Finalist for the Deer Valley Unified District. She was listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. She coached the Deer Valley High School Mock Trial Team to win the state championship 10 times, three national finals, and a National Championship in 1997.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a major in Political Science, and a Master’s in Secondary Education.
Michael Deiana
Mr. Deiana has been a resident in the Deer Valley community for over 20 years and he brings a unique set of skills and experiences to Deer Valley Charter Schools. Michael is a highly qualified educator and is acutely aware of the challenges teachers face in the classroom.
For the last few years, Michael has served our students in the areas of mathematics, Economics and American Government; additionally, he currently instructs students that have yet to achieve mandatory literacy and/or full academic achievement through k-12. He holds an M.E from GCU in Education Administration and Secondary Education, a Master of Public Administration in Government and Policy as well as a B.A in Psychology. He is an activist with years of grassroots experience in our community which demonstrates his ability to build professional relationships and a desire to advocate for change.
Mr. Deiana has been a resident in the Deer Valley community for over 20 years and he brings a unique set of skills and experiences to Deer Valley Charter Schools. Michael is a highly qualified educator and is acutely aware of the challenges teachers face in the classroom.
For the last few years, Michael has served our students in the areas of mathematics, Economics and American Government; additionally, he currently instructs students that have yet to achieve mandatory literacy and/or full academic achievement through k-12. He holds an M.E from GCU in Education Administration and Secondary Education, a Master of Public Administration in Government and Policy as well as a B.A in Psychology. He is an activist with years of grassroots experience in our community which demonstrates his ability to build professional relationships and a desire to advocate for change.
We are pleased to announce our new Board Members!
- William J. Sawner
- Randall G. Babick
- Kristin Morgan