Meet Our Kindergarten Team! | Schedule a Tour

At Augusta Ranch Elementary, we believe that Kindergarten is the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Our team is dedicated to creating an environment where curiosity is celebrated, independence is nurtured, and every student feels like an explorer. With nearly 60 years of combined experience, our teachers are experts at turning "aha!" moments into a lifetime of success.

Get to know the wonderful educators who will be guiding your child's first steps into elementary school!

Ruth Jimenez
Hello! My name is Ruth Jimenez, and I am so excited to be starting my journey as a teacher
here at Augusta Ranch. I love being a part of these early years in education and witnessing the
incredible curiosity, excitement, and imagination my students bring to the classroom. To me,
every day feels like an adventure as we discover new things together and hit those wonderful
'aha!' moments. One of my favorite memories so far has been bringing The Polar Express day
to life for my students! Creating that sense of magic all around us was truly special.

Quick Tip for Parents: Embrace the journey and trust the process! Every child grows at their
own pace. These early days are about much more than just academics; they are about building
confidence, independence, and a love for learning. Celebrate the small victories, stay involved,
and keep communication open with me!

When I’m not at school, I love spending time with my family and friends, exploring new places,
and reading.

Tessa Palmer
Hi there! I’m Tessa Palmer, and I have been teaching for 11 years. What I love most about
Kindergarten is the students’ natural curiosity. Everything is new to them, and they approach it
with so much energy, which makes teaching so much fun! Kindergarten is such a
memory-making year, and I feel so lucky to come to work each day and share my love of
learning with my students. My favorite memories always involve the hands-on learning we do
every day. There is nothing better than hearing a student say, 'This is the best day ever!'

Quick Tip for Parents: I always encourage parents to foster independence early on. Let your
child practice putting on their shoes, opening their lunch, or cleaning up after themselves. Those
small skills make a huge difference in helping them feel confident and successful at school.

Outside of the classroom, I am a big Disney fan and love anything creative. I also enjoy traveling to new places and spending quality time with my family.

Michelle Emrick
Hi! I’m Michelle Emrick, and I’ve been teaching for over 20 years. I can tell you from
experience that when you teach five and six-year-olds, you are guaranteed a laugh every single
day! My students brighten my life with their 'red carpet' greetings and their hilarious stories. I love teaching Kindergarten because of the fun, the laughter, and the incredible growth I see in every child. Augusta Ranch is such a special, caring place.

Quick Tip for Parents: It’s going to be okay! Your child will pick up on your energy, so hype
school up and stay positive. Help them learn to express their emotions and understand that it’s
okay to make mistakes - we don’t expect perfection! Most importantly, trust us; we are a team.

When I’m not teaching, I’m a big fan of traveling, reading, and enjoying time with my friends and
Family.

Michelle Abel
Hello! I am Michelle Abel, and I have been teaching for 24 years. One of the absolute best
parts of my job is watching children unlock the world of reading for the very first time. I love
seeing them realize, 'I can read this by myself!' and seeing that spark of belief in themselves
grow. We start the year building letters and sounds, and suddenly it all comes together - it’s the
best part of the whole year. I am an Air Force wife of 22 years and am always excited to grow
and learn alongside my students.

Quick Tip for Parents: Read with your child every single day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes.
That consistent time together is the best way to support their journey.

During the summer, you’ll usually find me in book studies learning new ideas to bring back to my
classroom. I also love to travel and explore new places whenever I can!

Meghan Cunningham
Hi! I'm Meghan Cunningham, and this is my first year teaching! My favorite thing about Kindergarten is how curious the students are. Everything is a learning experience for them, and they have so much joy for learning! Getting to see their little brains thinking about the world around them has brought me such happiness. Getting to teach your child is truly a gift, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.

One of my favorite moments this year was when a little girl couldn’t quite pronounce my name. Instead of Ms. Cunningham, she called me 'Ms. Honey Ham' - and soon the whole class was doing it! I absolutely love it, and that’s the name I’m known by now!

Quick Tip for Parents: Kids learn best when they feel secure. Simple things like consistent
routines, a calm goodbye ritual, and showing interest in their day (even if they just say ”I played”) matter so much. Academic skills will come, but building a positive attitude toward school sets the foundation for everything else.

Outside of the classroom, I’m very close with my family and sisters. I love music and going to concerts, and I love finding joy in the little moments each day!

We would love for you to come check out Augusta Ranch and see all the amazing things
happening here! Kindergarten enrollment is now open. To schedule a tour, visit AugustaRanch.GilbertSchools.net/Tour.