Administration
Phone: (623) 772-2670
Ms. Siobhan McCarthy, Principal
Siobhan McCarthy began her educational career in the Pendergast Elementary School District in 1999 as an English as a Second Language teacher at Desert Horizon Elementary School. Ms. McCarthy spent five years teaching at Desert Horizon, as well as serving as their Instructional Coach, before accepting her first administrative position at Villa De Paz Elementary as the Assistant Principal. After two years, Ms. McCarthy transitioned over to Rio Vista Elementary as the Assistant Principal, where she served in that position for six years before becoming the building Principal. This year marks her 13th year as principal of Rio Vista Elementary School.
Ms. McCarthy received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education at Northern Arizona University. She returned to Northern Arizona University where she earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.
Her educational experiences have afforded her the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being.
She is looking forward to having her school grow into a Leadership Academy by implementing the Leader In Me evidence-based social-emotional learning process. She believes in building leadership and life skills in students within a positive school culture so that students can establish a strong foundation that promotes academic achievement. She is proud to call the students, parents and staff of Rio Vista her “Mustang Family”.
Phone: (623) 772-2670
Mrs. Marlene Bennison, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Bennison is honored and blessed to be able to serve the Rio Vista Elementary School community, and started her career in Pendergast in 2007. Marlene has a unique experience in that she has been at Rio Vista for her entire career. She started as a teacher, then took the role as the Instructional Coach, and is now going into her 10th year as the Assistant principal.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. She moved here from El Paso, TX, and graduated from Westview High School, which is one of our feeder highschools.
Mrs. Bennison is excited to continue working with the Leader in Me curriculum, helping all their staff and students to grow to their highest potential to become successful adults & lifelong learners. She believes in building leadership skills within all of their students, and is excited to start this next school year in partnership with all of the Rio Vista families.
“Mustang Success….Nothing Less!"