www.mcrsd.org - Biographies

As a former superintendent of both the Deer Valley Unified School District and Phoenix Elementary School District, Gerald Cuendet understands the complex educational needs of Arizona’s youth. In addition, Cuendet gained tremendous political and healthcare experience serving as chairman of the Maricopa Integrated Health System Governing Board, and representing the residents of Sun City, Sun City West, Youngtown, Surprise, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Peoria, Glendale and Wickenburg in District Four. As advisory council president, Cuendet applies his academic, management and leadership expertise to serve Maricopa students in transition, as they work to achieve individual academic and career goals.

Ms. Jemeille Ackourey, Advisory Council Vice President

Jemeille Ackourey has dedicated nearly three decades to aiding youth in California and Arizona through her professional expertise and personal example. Ackourey began serving with the National City California Boys and Girls Clubs in 1982, and continued her efforts with the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix for the past 23 years. She now works as a licensed therapist with Jewish Family and Children’s Services and continues to volunteer with Arizona Call-A-Teen Youth Resources and the Phoenix Public Library. Ackourney has helped countless at-risk youth realize, that through increased confidence, education and life skills they have the potential to change negative behaviors and become positive influences in their community and society as a whole. This experience and insight continues to benefit Maricopa County students and families as she serves on the council.

Mr. Harry Valenzuela Garewal Jr., Clerk of the Advisory Council

Harry Garewal has served diverse populations throughout Arizona in numerous educational and political leadership positions. As the President and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for more than five years, Garewal established partnerships and programs to strengthen opportunities for area youth and families. In addition, Garewal served four terms on the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board, was a member of the National School Board Association (NSBA) Executive Committee and was honored to serve as president of the Arizona School Board Association, NSBA Pacific Region Board of Directors and NSBA Hispanic Caucus. Garewal currently serves as a member of the Isaac Elementary School District Governing Board.

Dr. Stuart Turnansky, Advisory Council Member

Stuart Turnansky has championed Health care and political initiatives across the state for several decades as he works to resolve issues he sees as a practicing family physician. This daily view of the very real problems many Arizona citizens must deal with, fuels his commitment to creating change and opportunity within the community. With extensive experience in Maricopa County based projects and organizations, Turnansky’s spirit of cooperation and ability to build consensus prove especially valuable in his service on the council.

Mr. Ron Willingham, Advisory Council Member

Ron Willingham brings extensive business, training, leadership and non-profit experience to his role on the council. Willingham has written 12 books to help corporations and service professionals better understand effective techniques to reach their audiences. As the founder of a new development company in Phoenix, Life Script Learning Systems, Willingham continues to be an innovative leader in the field of training and development concepts. Willingham has pioneered many interactive group-learning processes that help create behavior change in participants. He is also a founder of Kids at Hope, a non-profit organization that works through schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA groups to reach more than 300,000 children in less than 10 years.

Maricopa County Regional School District

SUPERINTENDENT BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Don Covey, Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools

As the former Superintendent of the Creighton Elementary School District and recipient of Arizona Superintendent of the Year, Don Covey has long been recognized for his action-driven leadership and ability to bring together diverse constituencies and increase student achievement.

Covey has also served in top-level administrative positions in the Phoenix Union High School District as its Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services. In addition, he was one of the originators of Phoenix Special Programs & Academies, a distance learning educational services company.

He currently sits on the National Board for Kids at Hope, which is dedicated to changing the perception of “Kids at Risk” to “Kids at Hope.” Covey has been a long-time member of the Arizona State Council for North Central Association on School Improvement and Accreditation. His work with participatory site based management, resulted in one of his most prestigious award selections as the National Administrator of the Year.

His wife of 42 years, Marge, passed away in 2002. He has three children and seven grandchildren who continue to inspire his call to action. Covey states, “The timing is right for me to give back to my community and apply the knowledge and practical experiences I have gained. We must increase student achievement and success for all students—no exceptions.”

Ernest Rose, Maricopa County Regional School District Superintendent

Ernest Rose is an educational visionary who has implemented innovative processes to promote a complete learning community of parents, students and teachers throughout his career. As a previous high school social studies teacher, assistant principal and principal, he understands both the administrative and academic struggles that go on in Valley schools.

A long-time advocate for at-risk students, Rose has partnered with colleagues and community organizations to provide resources and opportunities for local youth for more than two decades. Successful outreach to these students has occurred through group and individual counseling programs, after school tutoring, curriculum revisions and several other initiatives he led. In his current role as Regional Superintendent with the Maricopa County School District, Rose works with faculty and staff to strengthen three crucial areas of student development including life skills, transition and core academic curriculum.

Rose earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Xavier University of Louisiana, his master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Arizona and his doctoral degree in educational leadership from Walden University. As superintendent Rose has vowed to, “maintain high expectations for teaching and learning, foster a positive school climate, promote meaningful school improvement efforts and direct teacher and student-focused professional development efforts.”

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