SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (April 12, 2024) – The Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board this week approved the appointment of Brittany Walker to lead Copper Ridge School in the 2024-2025 school year and promoted Desert Mountain High School Assistant Principal John Andrews to be that school’s next principal.

Walker comes to SUSD from the local BASIS and Legacy public charter school organizations. Most recently, she was the Professional Development Coordinator for the 23-school Arizona BASIS Ed group and, prior to that, she served as Head of School at BASIS Scottsdale Primary School. Honored to join the Copper Ridge community, Walker said her goal as the school’s new principal is to continue, yet enhance, the school’s culture of academic excellence, student-focused mindset and strong community. “My mission is to empower our teachers, staff, and students to reach the highest level of excellence in all areas,” she said. “I truly believe with high expectations and a supportive learning environment, all students can learn, thrive, and reach their highest potential, all while developing a love for learning.”

Walker added that she is looking forward to working with Copper Ridge parents and community members to explore new ways to meet all students’ needs and effectively communicate with them to identify areas of growth for the school. She will succeed five-year principal Tim Eyerman, who is leaving SUSD for a new leadership opportunity out of state. Walker holds Arizona principal and elementary teaching certificates. She received her Master of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision from Arizona State University (ASU) in 2013. Her B.A. in Elementary Education is also from ASU.

Copper Ridge, a K-8 school, is located at 10101 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale.

At Desert Mountain High School, Andrews has been a staple in the Wolves community since 2019, serving as one of Dr. Lisa Hirsch’s assistant principals. Now, he is her successor. Hirsch has announced her retirement at the end of the current school year, after seven years leading the school.

Andrews, in fact, began his SUSD career at Desert Mountain in 2008, when he served as the guidance counselor for the school’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Five years later, Andrews was named an assistant principal at SUSD’s Arcadia High School. He served in that capacity until 2018, when he departed for a year to lead the Menta Group in Mesa, a school for emotionally disabled special education students.

He returned to his Desert Mountain roots five years ago as Assistant Principal. “I immediately knew I was home when I stepped foot for the first time on Desert Mountain’s campus for my interview in the spring of 2008,” shared Andrews. “The warm and welcoming environment of the school, combined with its excellence in academics, arts and athletics, is the perfect place for students, and for me.”

Andrews received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management from Texas A&M University, a Master of Education degree in Counseling from University of North Texas and a Master of Education in educational Administration and Supervision from ASU. He began his career in education in 2000 in Cincinnati, Ohio, mentoring at-risk secondary school students who had been expelled from the public school system there.

“I am excited to continue the tradition of excellence Desert Mountain has established in its almost 30 years in existence,” said Andrews. “Our caring faculty and staff help students succeed. One of the many aspects I love about our school is how students can springboard to their dreams from here.”

Desert Mountain High School is located at 12575 E. Via Linda in Scottsdale.

To find the new leaders, SUSD used a collaborative process over several weeks that involved the parent, teacher and staff communities of each school.

“Mrs. Walker and Mr. Andrews are great additions to SUSD’s already strong team of principals,” said SUSD’s Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, Dr. Milissa Sackos. “I look forward to their smooth transition into their new roles at Copper Ridge and Desert Mountain.”

“The leadership of the outgoing principals, Mr. Eyerman and Dr. Hirsch, sets them up for great success,” Sackos added.

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 21,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 127 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, X: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube