The Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) has been busy staffing its third high school, Crimson, set to open for the 2022-2023 school year in July. The school mascot is the Rattlers and the school colors are Carolina blue and red.
Crismon High School is currently under construction in Queen Creek at 21942 E. Riggs Road, just north of Riggs and east of Crismon roads. QCUSD Construction and Operations Director Jim Lamb and Crismon High School Principal Elyse Torbert have been keeping a close eye on construction progress as the school's faculty gets set in place for the next semester.
Laura Barnes decided to join the Rattler team as Crismon's new special education department chair and teacher. She is finishing up her 15th year as a teacher.
Barnes started as a general education history teacher in Southern California for seven years, before finding her true passion as a special education teacher working with students with a variety of special needs. She has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of La Verne, a master's degree in education from Claremont Graduate University and a master's in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University. She has served as the department chair at Queen Creek High School for the last three years and was recently named QCHS teacher of the year for the 2021-2022 school year.
In her free time, Barnes enjoys spending time with her three kids at the hockey rink, jiu-jitsu dojo and dance studio. When she is not with them, you can find her by the pool reading a good book.
In addition, Crismon High is welcoming department chair of counseling, Jessica Burt.
"Counselors are a huge part of our student's success and we have hired the best," QCUSD officials said.
Angela Greco is the new Crismon High child nutrition manager.
"The cafeteria is going to be amazing with her leadership," QCUSD officials said.
Crismon High is still hiring for spirit line pom head coach, tennis head coach, English teacher, special education resource teacher, and more. For all open job postings, click HERE.
QCUSD is one of the most rapidly-growing districts in Arizona. It serves nearly 13,000 preschool through 12th-grade students within the Town of Queen Creek and east Mesa.
