Ventana Academy names principal and board member

CAVE CREEK – Helen Shoulders has been named principal of the Ventana Academy charter school in Cave Creek by the governing board at its June 15 meeting.

Shoulders is a graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.  She began her teaching career more than 20 years ago in Waco, Texas and spent several years teaching in the Paradise Valley and Cave Creek school districts. For the past two years, she taught elementary grades and served as director of admissions at Rancho Solano private schools.

At the same meeting, Paul S. “Dale” Childers was appointed to the governing board. Childers has served as a board member of the Bullhead City Elementary School District and is currently the store director at Albertson’s on Scottsdale Road.

Ventana Academy is one of the oldest charter schools in Arizona. Located at Schoolhouse and Cave Creek roads, it is a tuition‑free public school serving grades K‑8. The charter school offers an accelerated curriculum, small class size and multilevel classrooms. The Arizona Department of Education has rated the academy a “performing plus” school.