Kim Yates is passionate about educating children, first their hearts and then their minds.

Entering education later in life, Yates earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University followed by a Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Yates started her career teaching first grade English Language Learners in an urban elementary school in central Phoenix, AZ. Since then she has taught preschool through college students, fulfilling her dream of being a teacher of teachers. As a principal, Yates’ focus is educating the whole child, helping them grow as a person first and then as a student.

Yates is a midwesterner transplanted to Arizona. The mother of three adult children and grandmother of three amazing grandchildren, she and husband Jim have been  happily married for more than 35 years. In her free time, Yates plays the piano, camps with her family, and is a life-long learner. 

She is one of the Office Staff you will meet when you call or come into JRE, helping teachers, parents, and kids. She always wanted to be a secretary at a school, so here she is doing what she loves to do!  Life outside of school keeps her busy!  She is the mother of 5 daughters and has 18 grandchildren.  Holidays and get togethers are busy, crazy, and FUN!  She likes to sew, play cards, hang out with family and go to Diamondback Games!

Aaryk Drake has always had a passion for learning.  Upon leaving the U.S. Army he needed a new career since he was not fit for retirement.  He went back to school and earned a teaching degree from University of Phoenix.  He taught as a substitute teacher in Chicagoland for a couple of years before moving back to Phoenix to join a small charter school that was starting up (Pensar Academy).  He taught math and science at Pensar for 5 years at various grade levels and went back to school and earned his Master of Education Degree from GCU during that time.  Along with a passion for learning and a love of education he is an armature carpenter, bulldog owner, biker, fitness and board game enthusiast.

My family and I moved to the beautiful Rim Country in 1995.  My husband and I arrived with our degrees in Psychology and my husband just finishing his Doctorate in Law.  I was eager to engage with the family, friendly culture of our mountain community when I accepted a position first at JRE.  Throughout my many years in the district, I have traveled with different titles all centering as a Behavior Specialist, working with students from all campuses and all grade levels.  My work with our community's children is truly my happy place.  I can be found spending my free time in the kitchen or with my husband, our 3 married children and grandbabies.