Principal: Jeff Vilardi
Mr. Vilardi has worked for GESD since 2000. He started at Challenger Middle School, and worked as a 6th Grade Social Studies teacher until he became the Achievement Advisor for Literacy at Don Mensendick in 2006. He began as Assistant Principal at Don Mensendick in 2008. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. He holds Arizona teaching certificates for Secondary Social Studies, Sheltered English Immersion and Administration (Principal). Mr. Vilardi is married to his beautiful wife Ashleigh and has five wonderful children.
Assistant Principal: Dr. Seu Hee Kim
Dr. Seu Hee Kim is in her second year in administration and previously worked as a math and science Achievement Advisor for four years. She was a middle school teacher at Horizon School and has been fortunate to only serve GESD her entire educational career. Additionally, she teaches Bachelors and Masters level education classes at Arizona State University, consults for Arizona Department of Education, and volunteers for numerous nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Kim earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies in Curriculum and Instruction, Gifted Education, and Educational Psychology; Master of Education in Educational Leadership; Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction; and Bachelor of Arts in Education. She holds numerous certificate and endorsements, loves to continually learn, and is considering returning to school to learn something new. For fun, she enjoys quality time with her family, scrapbooking with her friends, camping, sewing, arts and crafts, reading, and shopping.
Dr. Kim has two daughters; her oldest is in high school and her youngest is in middle school. She was born in South Korea and her family immigrated to the United States when she was six years old. One of her most vivid childhood memory is the numerous camping trips with her family because as her dad explained, “it was a cheap vacation.” She is extremely excited and happy to be part of Don Mensendick School and looks forward to a fantastic year.