Circle Cross Ranch Elementary

Kayla Piel

My name is Kayla Piel and serving as the new principal of Circle Cross Ranch K-8 feels like “coming home.” I began my career in FUSD in 2013 at Anthem K-8 where I taught third grade for a few years. Soon after, I transferred to Circle Cross Ranch K-8 where I taught multiple grade levels, started and ran various programs on campus and served as a mentor teacher to aid in coaching teachers. During that time, I earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. 

From there, I moved to San Tan Heights K-8 where I served as a Dean of Students/Athletic Director, then Assistant Principal/Athletic Director.  Taking on this new role as the Circle Cross Ranch Principal is both exciting and inspiring. Circle Cross Ranch has a special place in my heart, and I am ecstatic to be back in the Cheetah Den. I love the community and its people. Most importantly, I believe in what CCR stands for.

As educators, we are responsible for providing ALL students with a quality education where school culture, alongside mastery of instruction, creates a stimulating intellectual environment for students to grow and attain academic goals. As a leader, I acknowledge my role in fostering and encouraging a positive school culture through community relationships. I look forward to supporting the teachers, students and families in this amazing community.   

Go Cheetahs!

Julie Wilson

I am so excited to join the Circle Cross Ranch family as assistant principal. I have a diverse background in education with 8  years of teaching students K-8 and two years of administration experience in elementary and high school. 

I am originally from northeastern Montana from a small town that was deemed the middle of nowhere. Later in life I moved to Billings MT where I attended Montana State University- Billings, earning my bachelors of science in Elementary Education. I moved to Texas and went on to earn a Masters of Education in educational  leadership from the University of North Texas. In 2020 I moved to Arizona to escape the Texas humidity. I love AZ and can’t imagine living anywhere else!I have three amazing adult children, a beautiful granddaughter and two mini dachshunds. I enjoy the outdoors and I am a fitness fanatic. 

I look forward to an amazing year! Go Cheetahs!

Gunnar Tietge

My name is Gunnar Tietge and I am excited to be the new Dean of Students and Athletic Director here at Circle Cross Ranch K-8. This year will be my fourteenth year in education. I have taught general music and choir for the last thirteen years and am eager to begin my journey into administration. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degree in music education in 2011 & 2016 and my master’s degree in education administration from Lamar University in 2014. 

Originally from Texas I spent most of my teaching in Dallas with a few years teaching in the Houston area before moving to Arizona two years ago with my wife. Outside of school my wife and I enjoy game nights, seeing live theater, and traveling. I spent the last two years teaching in Chandler but am very excited to be closer to home and my family here in Florence USD!

Sarah Pampanin

Hello! My name is Sarah Pampanin, and I am the new instructional coach here at Circle Cross Ranch. This will be my eleventh year with the Florence Unified school district. I was a teacher for eight years and then an instructional coach for the last two years. I am originally from New Jersey, having studied there and received my dual bachelor's degree in early childhood, elementary education, and English literature. I moved to Arizona over a decade ago with my husband and together we have two daughters, two dogs, and two kitties. 

I fell in love with our now English curriculum and was given a fabulous opportunity to become a Great Minds fellow where I learned to deliver professional development to educators across the country. Because of this, I realized how much I enjoyed helping other educators continue their lifelong learning and pursued my master's degree in curriculum and instruction. 

I am beyond excited to join the Circle Cross Ranch team as a Cheetah, and cannot wait to connect with our staff, students, and community! 🐆💛