Raena Janes
Charter Holder
District Administration
Jackie Trujillo
Superintendent
William Rubasch
Chief Operating Officer
Principal
Sean Watins
Principal
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 15 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
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.
School Administration
Karen Crandall
Social Worker
Mrs. Crandall became part of the La Paloma Academy family over 18 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.
Upon retirement from Pima County, where she was a case manager for Pima County Superior Court for almost 30 years, Mrs. Crandall was hired as La Paloma Academy’s District Attendance Officer. She is now the Social Worker assigned to South Campus.
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!!