Our Team

Ximena Echeverria is a strong believer that provided right the opportunities, potential is unlimited. Her experience and service to inner city students and families has spanned over thirty years. Her experience includes education, training, and leadership in various roles.

With a bachelor and master degrees in Education, Ximena’s experience includes, teacher, coach, Early Childhood Director, Founding Principal, Turn-around Principal of elementary schools as well as high schools and Assistant Superintendent in the Phoenix Metro area. She began her career as a bilingual teacher and while at Wilson School District, she was sought out to become the Director of the Project Base Program for Sequoia Charter Schools in Mesa. Shortly afterwards, she became the founding Principal of Terra Nova Academy where she developed a fine arts program and was there for six years. She became the  Turn Around Principal for Academia del Pueblo where she was able to move the school academically from closing to a letter “B”. In addition to the academic gains, she was able to develop a strong school culture while implementing a variety of programs from gardening, to a well-rounded sports program.

The experience of implementing programs at a variety of levels came in handy to the positions that ensued. She had the distinct pleasure of serving as a district coach, Principal and Assistant Superintendent at Maricopa County Regional School District, the alternative school district that serves elementary and high school students in Maricopa County. Serving EL students, adjudicated youth, and high school students at one room on-line high school houses afforded Ximena to partner with organizations throughout the valley. It was during this time that she was able to look at education from a different perspective.  Affording students various opportunities and fostering a community that has deep rooted values at the elementary school level is crucial to ensuring that students do not fall through the cracks.

As the Arizona Regional Director for Federal and State Programs, Ximena works closely with school principals in securing and maximizing dollars to provide students the highest quality education under Title I, EL, Homeless-Education and other programs. Ximena is passionate about the success of every school and every child and is committed to Open Sky Education and the philosophy of “building a strong foundation” for all students.

Karina Moreno is the Regional Director of Operations of the EAGLE College Prep schools in the Phoenix, Arizona region, part of the Open Sky Education network.

Karina started in the classroom in 2017 teaching middle school math at EAGLE College Prep Maryvale. Along with her role as a teacher she was a team lead, mentor, dance teacher, and ran The Girls on The Run program after school. Her goal is to work diligently as part of a team with each scholar, family, and colleague with the purpose of giving them the best experience. Four years later Karina became the School Operations Manager at EAGLE Maryvale, her passions continue to be driven by the scholars and family culture. Karina enjoys with her husband and two daughters. They give her purpose each day to keep pushing through and exceeding her own expectations. Prior to EAGLE, Karina was a student athlete, received a softball scholarship to Central Arizona Community College and Embry Riddle University in Prescott, AZ. After fulfilling her student athlete career, she attended Arizona State University studying to become a math educator, her heart always went back to the kids. As a graduate from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Mathematics, Karina will be pursuing my master's degree in educational leadership.

Yesenia Fitzhugh is an educational leader with an entrepreneurial spirit who has a passion for serving students and their families, engaging leaders and teachers, and advancing education through innovation and creating effective and efficient systems. 

Yesenia has been with Open Sky Education for over 14 years starting her career as an EL teacher leading to her current position as Interim Executive Director of EAGLE and Director of Microschool Initiatives of Soaring.  With her new role, she has an intentional focus on people and processes to ensure the mission of EAGLE is lived out.  In addition to her work at OSE, she serves a coach for new principals and assistant principals. 

As the principal of EAGLE College Prep-Maryvale, my goal is to provide your child with a positive and personalized learning experience in both academics and character formation. I have been in education for 14 years, which includes 10 years of classroom instruction. I spent most of my teaching experience in grades Kindergarten through third grade. I started at EAGLE as a first-grade teacher in 2015 and transitioned to administration as the Dean of Students in 2018, prior to becoming principal this past winter. I am passionate about helping every scholar become a well-rounded individual through academics and character development.

I am honored to join the EAGLE team as principal of EAGLE Mesa. It is my goal to make sure all EAGLE scholars have an outstanding educational experience and fully reach their potential. Prior to joining the EAGLE team, I was an elementary and middle school teacher, a district coordinator, a high school assistant principal, and a middle school principal. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, and an Ed.S degree in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. I look forward to partnering with families to bring to life Expecting Academic Greatness with a Loving Emphasis for all scholars.

Rebecca Hancock has been an educator since she graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2005.  After earning her Bachelor’s in Education, Rebecca taught in a variety of grade levels from Kindergarten through 8th grade and held a variety of teacher leader roles as she earned  a Master’s of Education from Northern Arizona University.  These years were very formative in her growth as an educator and provided a solid foundation as she learned about instruction and leadership.  She has been a principal since 2018 and is finishing her Doctorate of Education, which has allowed her to refine her leadership skills and understanding of schools as an organization. In 2021, she was honored to accept the position of principal at EAGLE College Preparatory Schools South Mountain, where is eager to partner with families, educators and scholars to ensure all EAGLE scholars soar.

Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband and young son.  She loves to cycle with her family, hike, and read.