Desert Canyon Middle School is a safe, inspiring, and supportive learning environment where students are prepared to succeed and challenged to persevere in an ever-changing global world. . . A place where learning differences are valued and all students are empowered to achieve their greatest potential.
Principal Robert Akhbari
Principal
Phone: 480-484-4610
Email: rakhbari@susd.org
Administrative Coordinator
Pamela Pursley
Initially, I come from the business world having owned and operated a family business in New York City. I started my second career in teaching at Paradise Valley Unified School District’s Pinnacle High School teaching history, business, and economics. After earning my Master’s degree and a Certificate of Advance Graduate Studies in Administration, I began work at Saguaro High School as the Assistant Principal for Student Services. Later transferring to Kiva Elementary to expand my knowledge of early child development in the educational setting. In 2013, I moved to Cheyenne Traditional School where I worked with students from Pre-K to 8th grade. I accepted the Principal position of Desert Canyon Middle School in June 2019.
For me, one of the most exciting aspects of being a school Principal is creating an environment where learning — and all the life-changing effects that creates — can happen and be fostered. I’ve been lucky to work with some great Principals and have learned how important it is for the school’s administration to create the conditions under which teachers can teach and students can learn.
Go Mountain Lions!
