Becky Jones
School Director
Becky Jones is the Elementary School Director at Empower College Prep (Grades 3-6). She is originally from Texas and graduated with a BA from Texas Lutheran University. She moved to Phoenix in 2006 and obtained her MA in Teaching from Grand Canyon University. Becky was the Teacher of the Year at Imagine Camelback where she taught 2nd grade in 2010-11. Since then, she has taught in multiple grades as young as Kindergarten and as old as 6th grade, during which time she has increased proficiency as much as 40% in one year to as high as 85%, while coaching cheerleading, volleyball, and baseball. She has also taught in Massachusetts and before returning to Phoenix in 2016 spent some time in Ohio where she served in leadership for two years. Becky is a proven leader and manager who provides an extraordinary new perspective to take our organization to the next level.
Kimberly Ward
Dean of Curriculum and Instruction
Kimberly Ward attended Arizona State University where she studied Elementary Education. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Education. Kimberly has worked in education for 18 years in Phoenix, Arizona. Her classroom experience consist of Middle School Math instruction (7th, 8th and Honors Algebra), Elementary instruction (2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th ELA), and an Instructional Coach. As the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, she aims to serve the scholars of Empower College Prep and their families by establishing and overseeing instruction that yields a strong environment of educational excellence.
Myrtle De Lara-Rojas
Dean of Curriculum and Instruction
Myrtle De Lara-Rojas grew up in New Jersey and graduated with a B.S. in Accounting and International Business. Prior to teaching, she has worked as a tax accountant, auditor, and missionary with religious organizations in Ecuador and Tanzania where she discovered her passion for teaching. Myrtle joined Teach for America in Phoenix where she obtained her certificate and Masters in Education for Curriculum & Instruction from ASU. During her 14 years in education, she has worked in Title 1 schools teaching all content to student grades 2-8 as a general teacher, gifted teacher, and dual-language teacher. She was honored as Rodel Exemplary Teacher Finalist in 2010 and Semi-Finalist in 2014. As the Dean of Curriculum & Instruction at ECP Elementary last year, she supported math and science teachers with curriculum alignment, assessment, and instruction, resulting in state math proficiency growth of 7%-23% in all, but one grade level. She is excited to be at the High School where she will see all her previous 6th grade math students as they prepare for college and fulfill their purpose. She is honored and inspired to work alongside teachers who are as passionate about making sure that all students receive an excellent education!