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CCUSD gains Barela as new Cactus Shadows High School principal

Posted 7/14/21

The Cave Creek Unified School District’s Governing Board approved Sarah Barela as Cactus Shadows High School principal at the July 12 meeting.

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CCUSD gains Barela as new Cactus Shadows High School principal

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The Cave Creek Unified School District’s Governing Board approved Sarah Barela as Cactus Shadows High School principal at the July 12 meeting.

Her 20th year in education, all of which were in the Arizona public school system, Barela began her career as a high school English teacher at Sunrise Mountain High School where she also coached the spiritline and was a student government class sponsor, according to a press release on the Northern Arizona University alumnae.

While teaching, she also attended Northern Arizona University and earned her master’s degree in educational leadership, the release said, noting she spent 13 years in the classroom and two years as an instructional coach, developing as an educator.

In 2016, Barela accepted a job as the assistant principal at Saguaro High School. She spent a year at Saguaro overseeing special education, 504’s, student activities, and testing, the release said.

In 2017, she was promoted to the assistant principal over educational services at Chaparral High School. She has spent the last four years as a Firebird over seniors, AP, the guidance department, graduation, and master scheduling.

“I am honored to become a member of the Falcon community. In the few interactions I have had with faculty, staff, and students it is clear that Cactus Shadows is a great place to be and the sense of community is strong. I look forward to continuing to make connections with all of you as we move through this next school year,” said Barela in a prepared statement.

“My focus is to build relationships with the Cactus Shadows learning community. You will find me out in the mornings, during passing periods and at lunch. You will see me at school and community events cheering on our Falcons. Our job is to educate our future. I will work diligently with our team of teachers, support staff, and district administration to ensure that students leave Cactus Shadows with the education and tools to be successful wherever their dreams and goals take them.”

Barela enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband; her oldest daughter who starts as a Wildcat in the fall; her other daughter who will be a sophomore; and her son who will be a third grader, the release added.