Superintendent Tom Horne has assembled a solid and experienced academic leadership team for the Arizona Department of Education. These are the experienced educators who lead the academic divisions for the Arizona Department of Education.

Margaret Garcia Dugan, M.Ed. was Deputy Superintendent for much of Superintendent Horne’s previous terms as schools chief. She ensures that all divisions’ goals are aligned to the ADE mission statement. (We are a Service Organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents). An Arizona native, she has a total of 38 years’ experience in education, including as a classroom teacher, principal and associate district superintendent, among other positions. She has a B.S. in English Education from the University of Arizona and a Masters in Secondary Education from ASU.  She says her career highlight was, “carrying on and realizing my parents’ dream: their children would become English proficient, attain a quality education and be able to provide for themselves.”

The Associate Superintendent for Academic Achievement is Catherine Barrett, M.Ed. Her responsibilities include Title I, English Language Learners, Character Education, 21st Century Learning Centers, Indian Education, among others. Barrett has 23 years experience as a teacher, is an Arizona Master Teacher and a Professional Development Specialist. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from ASU and her Masters in Education from NAU.

Exceptional Student Services/Child and Adult Programs are under the direction of Colette Chapman, M.Ed.. She oversees Exceptional Student Services, Health and Nutrition, Career and Technical Education and Adult Education. Ms. Chapman was the Victims’ Rights Compliance Administrator at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. She has been recognized by the United States Department of Justice for her extraordinary commitment and contributions to crime victims’ rights enforcement in Arizona. She holds a B.S. in Sociology, Minor in Psychology, and Masters in Education from NAU.

Dr. Joseph Guzman, Ph.D, is Associate Superintendent for Accountability, Research and Evaluation. He has authored research on subjects such as language education, Hispanic gains in education and employment,  accountability analysis and many more subjects. In his 40-year career, He has taught economics, statistics, Latino Economic Development and numerous other subjects at such institutions as Georgetown University, Northern Arizona University, Michigan State University, and the University of Notre Dame. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. He also holds an M.A. in Economics, M.S. in Statistics, M.A. in Business Research and a Ph.D. in Economic Analysis in the fields of Game Theory and Econometrics from Stanford University.

The Associate Superintendent of School Improvement is Michelle Udall, M.Ed.. Her job is to support schools selected for school improvement based on federal requirements and based on D & F letter grades, administer ESSER (Covid relief funds) grants, Title IV-A grant processing and programmatic support, support for gifted and advanced education and oversee Dropout Recover Programs. She worked on a bipartisan budget that included significant investments in education. Analyzed difficulties with the School Facilities Board and reformed them within ADOA. Authored legislation that allowed schools to function during COVID. Championed school improvement measures. She holds a Masters in Secondary Education from GCU, served 4 years on the Mesa School Board; 9 years teaching high school math at Mountain View High School in Mesa and 6 years on the Arizona House of Representatives Education Committee (4 years as Chairman).

Sid Bailey, M.Ed.  is the Associate Superintendent Educator Leadership and will lead the effort for the School Safety Program; Certification; Educator Recruitment and Retention (Principal Academy); Title II and school discipline (classroom management development) and the Charter School Program. In his 40-plus year career, Bailey served as Principal for 14 years in two different High Schools.  Both received national attention for academic success.  He was Director of AZ. Leads (leadership development) for ADE for 3.5 years; Director of Leadership Development for the Arizona Charter Schools Association for more than 6 years; Adjunct professor for Grand Canyon University and an Independent Educational Consultant assisting schools, several of whom were in need of academic turnaround. He holds a B.A. in History, Government and Political Science, Masters in Special Education and an Administrative Certificate from Northern Arizona University.

L-R Michelle Udall, Sid Bailey, Catherine Barrett, Colette Chapman, Tom Horne, Margaret Garcia Dugan and Joseph Guzman