Raena Janes
Charter Holder
District
Jackie Trujillo
Superintendent
William Rubasch
Chief Operating Officer
Principal
Paul C. Bummer
Principal
Mr. Bummer is an Arizona certified principal who started working for the La Paloma Academy charter school system in 2009 as an Assistant Principal and ELL (English Language Learner) teacher. A native Arizonan, he has lived in Tucson for the past four years, previously working for the Marana school district. Mr. Bummer also spent 18 years teaching physical education and health, along with other classes, in North Phoenix, and has coached baseball and basketball at middle and high school levels.
Mr. Bummer holds a bachelor’s degree in business and education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors, hiking, hunting, ATVing, and working in the yard, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Vice Principal
Frank Kunkel
Vice Principal
Mr. Kunkel grew up around educators and continues a long family tradition of being involved in education. After joining the military, Mr. Kunkel initially served in Combat Search and Rescue in Tucson, but was soon instructing USAF flight engineers.
After completing his military service, Mr. Kunkel continued to pursue a career in education and teaching, working for La Paloma Academy Charter Schools in 2010 as a substitute teacher. Upon graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Tucson, he began teaching full time.
Mr. Kunkel has taught 3rd and 5th grade as well as Jr. High math. In 2014, he started working in the Title I program and became a coordinator at La Paloma’s South Campus where he led a small team.
Always looking to expand opportunities for leadership, Mr. Kunkel hopes to use his role as Vice Principal at La Paloma South to help and inspire others to achieve educational success, whether they are teachers, students, or families.