About Summit

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Katie Blum earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Arizona State University and has dedicated the past 15 years to inspiring young artists from kindergarten through high school. Throughout her teaching career, she has fostered creativity, confidence, and a love for artistic expression in students of all ages.

Katie has a deep appreciation for nature and enjoys spending time outdoors, often finding inspiration in the beauty of the natural world. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and together they are raising three wonderful children.

Katie is passionate about helping students discover their unique artistic voices and is excited to share her enthusiasm for art, creativity, and lifelong learning with every student she teaches.

Jonathan is a proud Arizona native, born and raised in Mesa, where he graduated from Red Mountain High School in 2000. After a brief move to the West Valley where he met and married his wife, Mandy the Connolly's built a family rooted in faith, hard work, and community. They are the parents of four children and joyfully welcomed their first grandchild in February 2024.

Mr. Connolly pursued higher education at Grand Canyon University, earning his Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education in 2021, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He continued his academic journey at GCU, completing a Master of Education in Elementary Education in 2022.

While advancing his studies, Mr. Connolly was also fulfilling a lifelong dream: coaching high school basketball. Over the years, he has coached at Red Mountain, Skyline, Mesa High, Apache Junction, and currently serves on the coaching staff at Desert Ridge High School. In addition to his school‑based coaching, he owns and operates a competitive club basketball program, where he continues to mentor young athletes and develop strong, character‑driven teams.

During his time in public education, Mr. Connolly became certified in the Spalding Method, a comprehensive, research‑based approach to literacy that teaches the 87 phonograms of the English language. This method equips students with foundational skills in reading, writing, and spelling, fostering confidence and a lifelong love of literacy.

In 2022, Mr. Connolly transitioned into the homeschool community, seeking an educational environment better suited to the needs of his family. He joined Summit that same year, beginning his first year teaching Physical Education at both the Chandler and Cannon Beach campuses. Now entering his second year, he will expand his role by teaching both PE and Reading/Literature at Chandler and Cannon Beach, bringing his passion for movement, literacy, and student growth into the classroom.

Mr. Connolly is committed to creating a positive, structured, and encouraging learning environment whether on the court or in the classroom and continues to dedicate his career to helping students thrive academically, physically, and personally.

Leslie is a wife, mom of five amazing kids, and a homeschool veteran who's been in and out of the homeschool trenches for years. Between lesson plans, laundry piles, science experiments, and teaching life skills around the kitchen table, I've learned that education doesn't always happen from a textbook—it often happens in everyday moments.

Having homeschooled my five children on and off through the years, I've developed a passion for helping students build practical skills, confidence, and independence. I love finding creative ways to make learning meaningful, useful, and even fun.

When I'm not teaching, you can usually find me juggling family life, solving problems with coffee in hand, or wondering how the dishwasher is already full again. I'm excited to share real-world skills, plenty of encouragement, and maybe a few laughs along the way!

 ¡Hola! I am thrilled to be returning as the Spanish teacher this year! As an Arizona native and a native Spanish speaker, I am so excited to share the beauty of this language and culture with your family. My goal is to make Spanish a favorite part of your child's day! We will learn together using fun games, lively songs, and creative, hands-on crafts.

As a homeschool mom myself, I truly value the partnership between teachers and parents. When I am not teaching, I stay busy as a Jiu-Jitsu coach and gym owner. I love building confidence in kids, both on the mats and in the classroom. I look forward to working with you and your child for a fantastic school year!

Hello! My name is Brayton Pelke, though most students know me as Coach B. My background includes teaching as a swim instructor and studying flight instruction in college. I have always enjoyed working with students and helping them build confidence through learning and new experiences.

As a PE instructor, I strive to create a fun, positive environment where students can stay active, develop new skills, and grow both physically and personally. One of my favorite parts of teaching is encouraging students to challenge themselves, believe in their abilities, and celebrate their successes along the way.

 I began my teaching journey at Summit last year, and I quickly discovered how much I love working with kids and helping them grow. I have always had a passion for art and believe it is much more than just a hobby. Some of my favorite memories are from art class, where I learned to be creative, explore techniques, and express myself. I love being able to draw from lessons and projects I remember as a student and bring them into my own classroom today.
Before becoming a teacher, I graduated from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, where I continued to develop my creativity and appreciation for the arts. One of my favorite parts of teaching is getting to know each student’s personality and watching them grow throughout the year. I’ve loved connecting with our students and their wild personalities, and I am so excited for another year of learning and creating together.

As a passionate PE Coach with a long standing involvement in volleyball, I have developed a deep love for athletics, sports, and physical education. My experience in sports has strengthened my commitment to helping students achieve their full potential both on and off the field. As a coach, I enjoy leading, motivating, and developing student performance by focusing on both physical fitness and mental resilience. I believe that success in sport comes from dedication, discipline, and a positive mindset, and I strive to inspire these qualities in every student I work with.

  ¡Hola! My name is Veronica Zayas. I was raised in Mexico and have a deep passion for sharing my culture and the Spanish language with others. I have been married for 16 years and am the proud mother of four children.

At Summit Learning, I teach Spanish and Leadership/Life Skills, where I enjoy helping students build confidence, develop practical skills, and gain a greater appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. I love creating meaningful learning experiences that encourage personal growth, connection, and curiosity.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy camping, traveling, and cooking especially for large groups. Each year, I volunteer as the lead cook at Girls Camp, where I find great satisfaction in planning, shopping for, and preparing meals. I’m grateful for my amazing “kitchen team,” whose friendship and support make it all possible.

Sharing my heritage, serving others, and helping students learn and grow are things I truly value. I am so excited to be part of the Summit Learning family!

 Hello Summit Families! My name is Ms. Julie, and I'm thrilled to be your Reading teacher again this year! I hold a bachelor degree in English and have taught in traditional and non-traditional classrooms. I'm also a homeschooling mom of four, and believe in parent choice for educating your children. Summit Learning Center helps support homeschool families and I'm grateful to be a part of their educational team. When I’m not teaching, you can find me exploring Arizona with my kids, online shopping, and of course reading lots and lots! I can't wait for a fantastic year of learning and growing together!