District Administration

Principal

Sean Watins

Principal

Sean Watins

Dedicated to student success, Mr. Watins encourages high academic achievement and well-developed, upstanding personal character. He strives to offer an environment where everyone who wants to succeed can do so. Mr. Watins also provides professional development opportunities for La Paloma teachers, including technical training.

Mr. Watins has 20 years of experience with La Paloma Academy schools, serving as a vice principal, Title I coordinator, 1st grade teacher, and after-school director. He is an Arizona certified teacher with a reading specialist endorsement.

Raised in Arizona, Mr. Watins has lived in Tucson his entire adult life, aside from the three years he served as a U.S. Army infantry soldier. He spends his free time mountain biking, hunting, shooting, praying, golfing, snowboarding, and more.

VICE PRINCIPAL

Karen Crandall

Vice Principal

Karen Crandall

Mrs. Crandall became part of the La Paloma Academy family over 20 years ago. Her boys, who are now adults, attended the Midtown and Central campuses. She was a classroom parent, led the Parent Teacher Organization, and volunteered in many different areas.

After retiring from Pima County Superior Court, Mrs. Crandall worked as the District Attendance Officer and then as the Social Worker at La Paloma South. She became the Assistant Principal in the 21-22 school year.

Dedicated to meeting the needs of students and families, Mrs. Crandall is passionate about building relationships, bringing SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) curriculum to each classroom, and helping South Campus to become a Trauma-Informed community.

In her spare time, Mrs. Crandall enjoys everything DIY, crafting, cross-stitch, and reading. She especially adores being a Nonie to her grandchildren!!

Shuanna Fuentes

Federal Programs Administrator

Shuanna Fuentes

Mrs. Fuentes received her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with specifics in Education, Spanish and Mexican American Studies from the University of Arizona in 2010. She received her Masters in Special Education from Grand Canyon University in 2015.

Since 2010 Mrs. Fuentes has been a part of the La Paloma Academy family in different roles; after school teacher, paraprofessional, substitute teacher, to special education teacher.

Mrs. Fuentes’ goal is to cheer on every student who comes through our doors and support them with meaningful relationships, academic excellence and attainable goals.

Mrs. Fuentes enjoys being home and finding new ideas to try. She especially loves having fun at the movies with her husband, daughter and twin boys.