Dear Bobcat Families, 

Peralta Trail Elementary School is a wonderful place for students to learn and grow. We are nestled in the beautiful community of Gold Canyon within the Apache Junction Unified School District. PTES is an academic and STEM focused school with committed teachers and staff who work to support the needs of all students. Every student, K-5, experiences our Gen Tech STEM class weekly that affords them additional learning through hands-on, engaging instruction with real world applications. Students experience Cool Coding, Radical Robots, Max Modeling, and Mighty Micros as some focus areas within our STEM curriculum. Our campus offers many extended opportunities for our students such as student council, after-school clubs, music, art, PE, chess, robotics, and more. There are plenty of ways for students to stay engaged at Peralta Trail. I am so proud to be part of such a dynamic learning community!  

I have been an educator for 27 years. During the past 21 years, I have served the students and families of AJUSD as a teacher, math specialist, academic advisor, student wellness coordinator, and as an elementary principal. I grew up in St. Charles, Michigan and moved around when my husband served in the U.S. Army. We knew Arizona is where we wanted to live when my husband retired from the military, so we moved here in 2003. I formerly was an academic advisor with Chapman University prior to becoming a teacher. I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences, as well as my teacher certification with Chapman University. To continue my education, I attended Northern Arizona University, where I completed my Master's of Arts in Educational Leadership. In my free time I love spending time with my family, watching movies, and cheering on my grandchildren in the sports they love to play.  

My career in AJUSD began as a teacher at Peralta Trail Elementary; so for me, this feels like a full circle to return and now serve as principal of this amazing school. My belief is in the power of together where students are afforded many opportunities for growth that are elevated through the collective efforts and partnership between school, home, and the community. My favorite quote is by Helen Keller, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."  I look forward to working together to have a phenomenal 2024-25 school year...go Bobcats!

Respectfully, 

Patricia L. Smith