Education Secretary Ivan Weiss beams as he tells of the great start Thunderbird Adventist Academy has enjoyed for the 2005 year. “Our new principal, Barry Warren, has brought enthusiasm and professionalism to TAA — along with a wonderful group of new teachers who seem excited to be in Arizona. I’m looking forward to the start of a new era for Thunderbird Adventist Academy.”

Warren, a 1978 graduate of TAA, brings 23 years of educational experience to the campus. A graduate of Southwestern Adventist College, he continued his education at the University of Missouri where he received his master's degree in education. His wife, Sherrie, is teaching biology, anatomy and physiology, and will be helping with marketing and recruiting.

Former Principal Richard Carey accepted a call to be one of the superintendents of education for the Southern California Conference, leaving the principal’s position open late in the summer. Weiss feels it was a divine appointment when Warren accepted the call to TAA.

Warren accepts his new appointment with enthusiasm. “Thunderbird Adventist Academy has opened the year with 134 enthusiastic, energetic students, several new staff members, and a new commitment to creating opportunities for our students to get to know Jesus in a very real way,” he reports.

Other teachers who are new at TAA include Jennifer Davis, choir, drama and Spanish; Patty McGuire, band, handbells, and pre-algebra; Brent Burishkin, athletic director and physical education teacher; Miguel Espinosa, computer tech and information technology director; Oliver Morada, history and government; Anette Martes, English and Spanish; and Helen Robinson, creative writing, AP English and publication classes for the school newspaper and yearbook.

Two TAA alumni—Sarah Clem and Jason Warren—are serving as taskforce assistant deans.