GateWay Early College High School Principal Public Forums
GateWay Early College High School Principal
A Public Forum will be held for the Principal of GateWay Early College High School, with a Q&A session to follow their public address:
Friday, March 8, 2024
11:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Integrated Education Building – Copper Room, IE1302
The candidate's bio and photo are provided below. A link to the recording of the forum will be available next to the candidate's name.
The Feedback Form is available to all students, employees, and guests to submit anonymous feedback from Mar. 8 – Mar. 19.
All feedback is confidential and is sent directly to President Dr. Amy Diaz and Superintendent Stacey Boyd.
Candidate Biographies
Blas Guillen | 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. | View Recording
Mr. Blas Guillen boasts more than 12 years of advancing roles in high school education, specializing in the early college model. In August of 2023, he assumed the role of Interim Principal at GateWay Early College High School (GWECHS) within the Maricopa County Community College District. During his tenure, Guillen collaborated with teachers and staff to establish the Power Hour, a student academic support program. He also initiated Principals' to Success, supporting students transitioning into an early college high school. Guillen, in his leadership, introduced a sports program, providing underserved students the chance to participate as student-athletes.
Before stepping into the role of Interim Principal, Guillen served as a Student Success Liaison, concurrently developing as a teacher. He later assumed the position of Assistant Principal of Student Affairs. He also collaborated with GateWay Community College leadership to develop GateWay Academic Nexus Advancing Students (GANAS), a program that establishes academic networks for first generation Hispanic students. With 27 years of service in underserved communities, he accumulated significant leadership experience in the City of Phoenix Recreation Department and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix.
Guillen holds a Master's in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor's in Management from the University of Phoenix. As a first-generation college student and graduate, he stands as an example to his family and community. He is the son of Juliana Huitron Sanchez, she instilled in him the importance of courage. His wife Anslema Berumen taught him to expect more of himself. Together, they are proud parents to three boys: Blas Julián, Sebastián, and Damián, they have taught him grit.
Lyndsey Hoffman | 12:15 to 1 p.m. | View Recording
With 16 years of dedicated service as a high school English teacher, Lyndsey Hoffman is a seasoned educator with a passion for student success in every facet of her work. Her extensive experience has not only refined her teaching skills but also honed her leadership, management, and organizational abilities.
Prior to teaching English 9 Writing at Gateway Early College High School, Hoffman worked at Phoenix College Preparatory Academy where she taught all English subjects and some electives. Prior to that, she taught English for 8 years at Wickenburg High School. These teaching experiences have given her the opportunity to work with all levels of students in all capacities of learning. The biggest takeaway she has from this experience is that all students can learn at high levels. She knows because she has seen it happen first hand.
Hoffman’s administration experience includes three years working as a vice-principal at Wickenburg High School. This experience included many duties such as discipline, teacher supervision, professional development, and testing. Her first Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction prepared her well for this role. Since that time she has graduated from Northern Arizona University with a second Master’s of Education, this time in Educational Leadership, and she is eager to use the skills she gained from this experience.
In addition to her teaching career, she has demonstrated her leadership capabilities by leading the non-profit Arizona Matsuri Steering Committee. This has allowed her to showcase her ability to effectively manage and organize large-scale events, including one of the largest Japanese Festivals in North America. She values commitment to community engagement and cultural awareness.
Driven by a desire to foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, Hoffman is eager to leverage her skills and experience to inspire both students and faculty alike in their pursuit of academic excellence.
Bruce Kelly | 1:15 to 2 p.m. | View Recording
Bruce Kelly is a seasoned educator with a wealth of experience in driving educational excellence and fostering innovative learning environments. In his most recent role serving as Superintendent at Rainier Christian Schools in Renton, WA, Kelly spearheaded strategic educational initiatives aimed at boosting learning outcomes and overall school performance. He introduced a standards-based approach to teaching and learning, enhancing educational transparency and student engagement. Kelly also initiated programs such as student internships and Interest and Gift Pathways, fostering collaboration with local businesses and industry sectors to provide students with authentic, industry-relevant learning experiences.
Before his role as Superintendent, Kelly held various leadership positions in education. As Principal and Assistant Principal at Raisbeck Aviation High School, he played a pivotal role in elevating the school's profile and achieving top rankings among Washington State public high schools. Kelly’s innovative collaborations with the aviation and aerospace sectors enriched teacher professional development and provided students with unique learning opportunities. His leadership also attracted attention from international delegations, further showcasing the school's strong foundation in industry partnerships.
Kelly’s dedication to education extends beyond school administration. As K-12 Curriculum Coordinator in the Kent School District and Science and Math Content Specialist at Educational Service District #113, he developed and implemented comprehensive curriculum tailored to meet educational standards and student requirements. Kelly’s efforts in securing grants and facilitating professional development workshops underscore his commitment to enhancing science and math education at both the local and national levels. With a background in teaching science and math, Kelly brings a holistic understanding of education to his leadership.
Kelly holds a Bachelor’s in Science and Math Education for Central Washington University, a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle Pacific University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education from Seattle Pacific University.