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!

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Administrative Coordinator | Pamela Pursley

Mrs. Holmes is the Assistant Principal at Desert Canyon Middle School by way of Florida and Flagstaff.   She began her career in 1989 as a middle school teacher before moving to the high school level.  This is her fourth year in the Scottsdale Unified School District and her fourteenth year in school administration.  When she is not at DCMS she can be found on her boat enjoying the Arizona sun.