Cooley families and community,

My name is Chad Cantrell, and I am very excited to join the Cooley Cougar team!  As a member of the Cooley community, I am excited to serve the students and families of my own neighborhood and community.  

This year, we will create an open and welcoming environment for all parents, students, and staff. We will work with the school community to establish high expectations for students, provide them the skills they need to meet those high expectations, and develop them into young leaders in the community.  Middle school is an extraordinarily challenging time in the lives of students and parents. I understand the concerns that come with this age. I want you to know that my door will always be open.  My goal is to have the opportunity to get to know every student and parent whether that is at school, at extracurricular events, or even out in the community.   Finally, I want your student to have fun at Cooley Middle School! Whether they find a sport, club, arts program, or an incredible group of friends, I want your student to enjoy their time as a Cooley Cougar.

Professionally, I have been an educator for twenty years with nine years teaching middle school and then as an administrator for the last 11 years in the Apache Junction Unified School District.  During my 11 years in administration, I was fortunate to gain experience as a middle school assistant principal and principal, districtwide athletic director, elementary principal, and I have been the Executive Director of Educational Services the last two years.  I am an Arizona native and proud product of the Arizona public school system. I graduated from Arcadia High School in Phoenix, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Arizona State University, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.  Firsthand, I know the incredible capacity for success in Arizona schools and I want to ensure that positive experience for your student.    

I look forward to making a connection with each and every one of you and serving the kids of our Cooley community in the 2024 – 2025 school year!

Sincerely,

Chad Cantrell

Principal, Cooley Middle School