Raena Janes
Charter Holder
District
Jackie Trujillo, M.A.
Superintendent/Title IX Coordinator
William Rubasch, M.ED
Chief Operating Officer
Kris Johnson
Assistant Superintendent/Federal Grants
Kevin Carney
Chief Officer of Leadership and Learning
A dedicated and accomplished educational leader, Kevin Carney has served as Assistant Superintendent at Vail School District since 2018, consistently demonstrating a passion for fostering innovative learning environments and empowering both students and educators. Carney’s journey in education began in the classroom, teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grades in the Marana and Vail School Districts from 1994 to 2001, laying a strong foundation in instructional practice. His commitment to educational advancement led to progressive leadership roles within the Vail School District, including serving as Assistant to the Principal before an impactful eight-year tenure as Principal at Desert Sky and Rincon Vista Middle Schools (2002-2010), earning recognition as the Principal of an Excelling School five times by the Arizona Department of Education.
From 2010 to 2018, Carney took on the role of Beyond Textbooks Executive Director within the Vail School District, further showcasing his capacity for visionary leadership and driving impactful initiatives. This period was marked by significant achievements, including the Digital Content and Curriculum Achievement Award from the Center for Digital Education in 2014, the Visionary Award from EDTech Digest in 2012, and the prestigious Sylvia Charp Award for Innovation In Educational Technology from the International Society for Technology in Education in 2011. His exceptional contributions to the field have been widely acknowledged through numerous accolades, including administrator of the year awards and recognition as one of Tucson’s top community leaders under 40. Holding a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, along with administrative and teaching certifications, Carney continues to shape the future of education.
Principal
Cynthia Mendoza, M.Ed.
Principal
Cynthia Mendoza has taught 3rd and 4th grade at Heritage Elementary since 2016. She began teaching 12 years ago after receiving her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University. In 2015, she received her master’s degree in early childhood education from Arizona State University.
Ms. Mendoza has coached soccer, after-school reading clubs, and has led student council. Her educational philosophy is that all children can learn in their own unique way. Her passion for teaching has led her to remain in the field of education, where she helps guide children to a better future.
One of Ms. Mendoza’s favorite quotes is, “If a child can’t learn in the way we teach, we must teach in a way the child can learn.” – Unknown
Vice Principal
Kristi Tabarez
K-4 Vice Principal
Kristi Tabarez earned her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in 2018 and began her teaching career soon after. She went on to complete her master’s degree at Northern Arizona University in 2023. Kristi joined the Heritage team in 2020 as a fourth grade teacher and has been an integral part of the school community ever since. Prior to her current role, she taught first grade and served as a math interventionist. During her time at Heritage, Kristi has also taken on leadership roles including Lead Teacher, Mentor Teacher, and an English Language Learner (EL) Teacher, reflecting her dedication to student success and professional growth.
Dominica Thornton
5th-8th Vice Principal
Dominica Thornton has been an educator for over 13 years. She received her Bachelors of Science in Education from the State University of New York at Oswego in 2010. She received her Masters of Science in Education from the State University of New York at Cortland in 2013. Throughout her teaching career; she has taught in both New York and Arizona. Ms. Thornton joined the Heritage family in 2017. While at Heritage, she has taught 3rd grade and K-8 EL. She has also served as the Title 1 coordinator, Child Find coordinator and Instructional Coach at Heritage Elementary School.
