Meet the NAURRC Team
About Us
Hello and welcome to the Northern Arizona University, Department of Educational Leadership’s Rural and Small School District Resource Center NAURRC website! The site was designed to provide a one-stop shop for information, which Arizona school leaders use on a daily basis.
You will note that the home page provides a helpful article, which will always focus on current research, new programming, or other updates, which are of use to Arizona school leaders. In addition, on the right-hand side of the article are key takeaways in case you are in a hurry.
The professional development (PD) tab includes direct links to learning opportunities offered by NAU and other key education organizations in Arizona, such as ASA, ADE, ARSA, AASBO, and others.
The resources tab includes a rich set of videos on a variety of topics, which directly impact the work of Arizona school leaders. Below the video you will find available written resources and contact information for individuals or organizations, which can provide additional assistance.
We hope you enjoy touring the NAURRC website and thank you for stopping by! Please take a moment to see below the individuals who are involved in the development of the NAU Rural and Small School District Resource Center.
Dr. Michael Schwanenberger
Chair, Department of Educational Leadership
Northern Arizona University
NAU Faculty
Dr. Michael Schwanenberger
Michael Schwanenberger Ed. D.—Associate Professor and Department Chair of Educational Leadership, Northern Arizona University
Dr. Schwanenberger currently serves as a tenured associate professor and department chair in the Department of Educational Leadership at Northern Arizona University. Dr. Schwanenberger has been a dedicated educator serving as a Pre-K-12 teacher and coach, athletic director, middle school principal, high school principal, assistant regional superintendent and superintendent. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University, a Master of Education—Secondary Education degree, Master of Education—Educational Administration degree, and his Doctor of Education—Educational Administration degree from the University of Arizona.
Dr. Nic Clement
Dr. Clement served nine years as the superintendent of Flowing Wells School District in Tucson, Arizona. Following his retirement in 2013, Dr. Clement was appointed to the Ernest McFarland Citizen’s Chair in Education by the dean of the College of Education at Northern Arizona University. In this endowed, faculty position, Dr. Clement is responsible for teaching and advocating for education throughout Arizona and the nation.
Dr. Frank Davidson
Frank Davidson is an assistant professor at Northern Arizona University. Prior to joining Northern Arizona University in 2017, he served for 38 years as a public school teacher, principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and superintendent.
Dr. Melissa Sadorf
Dr. Melissa Sadorf currently serves as the superintendent of the Stanfield Elementary School District. An educator at all levels for almost three decades, Dr. Sadorf brings considerable expertise in leadership and teacher preparation, policy development and advocacy, and education in a variety of educational settings. No matter the age of the student, she works to engage and motivate learners with rigorous and relevant content built on a foundation of relationships in the classroom.
NAURRC Advisory Board
Jaime Festa-Daigle
Jaime Festa-Daigle serves as the Director of Student Achievement for Lake Havasu Unified School District. She has worked in rural schools as a teacher and leader for over twenty years. Jaime is a native Arizonan. She has taught civics, economics, American History, English, and been an advisor for student council.
Dr. David Dumon
Dr. David Dumon currently serves as the superintendent of Altar Valley School District. He began his career in 1995 as a social studies teacher at Alhambra School District in Phoenix. In 2000, Dr. Dumon started his administrative career as an assistant principal at Surprise Elementary in Dysart Unified School District. He spent the next 14 years of his career in the Dysart most of which was as the principal at Surprise Elementary, a K–8 school. His schools’ achievements were recognized in 2012 when he was selected for the Arizona School Administrator, Distinguished Administrator Award – Elementary Division and honored as a finalist for the Rodel Exemplary Principal Award.
Dr. Robbie Koerperich
Dr. Robbie Koerperich is Superintendent of the Holbrook Unified School District in Holbrook, Arizona. Robbie is in his 30th year in public education spending 10 years as a classroom teacher in Kansas and the past 20 years in school and district administration. Robbie is in his 13th year as the Superintendent of Holbrook Schools.
A.J. Taylor
A.J. Taylor has been a Safford Bulldog educator his entire education career. He’s been a teacher at the elementary level and principal of the same. A.J. served as SUSD’s Director of Instructional Services and is now serving as Superintendent for Safford Unified School District #1. He is also a member of the Arizona Rural Schools Association.
Kristin Turner
Kristin Turner is the superintendent of the Paloma Elementary School District and the past president. She received her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
