Katie Chavez
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Mrs. Katie Chavez moved to Arizona from Massachusetts to participate in the Teach for America program following her graduation from the Honors Program at Framingham State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in History and a minor in Secondary Education. Katie then graduated from Arizona State University with a Master’s of Education degree in Special Education while beginning her teaching career. Mrs. Chavez taught 6th-8th grade Math, Reading and Writing Resource classes while also serving as the case manager for her students in special education. She continued in this role for three years in the Isaac School District before moving into the role of Academic Data Coach and later the school’s Math Interventionist, working with students in grades K-8.
Katie transitioned to New Way after hearing amazing things about the school from local community members. During her time at New Way, Mrs. Chavez has developed and grown the high school math program, created two of the high school’s electives, both Public Speaking and Criminal Justice, and led the school’s math department. Katie has also taken on the role of MAP coordinator in which she educates students, staff and parents about the purpose and value of the MAP assessment.
Before moving into the Head of School role in 2023, Mrs. Chavez was the Head of Upper School. In this previous role, she initiated and grew the Scholars Program in the high school and became a certified School Trainer for Kagan Cooperative Learning. She led professional development for staff on a weekly basis as well as instructional coaching across junior high and high school.
When not at New Way Katie can be found with her family, including husband Manny, and two sons Kaden (almost 11 years) and Lorenzo (almost 1 year old). On the weekends she is most often cheering on the sidelines at one of Kaden’s many games, chasing a newly mobile Lorenzo around the house or squeezing in a quick run before the day begins.