Administration

Meet our Administrative Team:

Jake Lambert

Mr. Jacob Lambert

Principal

Mr. Lambert is from central Illinois and is the son of a teacher and a United States Army Staff Sergeant. He earned a degree in special education at Eastern Illinois University to become a third-generation teacher. He taught for two years in Illinois before moving to Arizona. Lambert taught in the Tolleson Union High School District for two years before joining the PXU family as an Exceptional Student Services teacher and coached cross-country and track & field at Cesar Chavez High School. 

In 2018, Mr. Lambert was selected as the Professional Development Specialist at Central High School and moved to Assistant Principal of Instruction after just one year. Two years ago, he became the Assistant Principal of Registration. In this role, he collaborated with instructional leaders and district personnel to grow the course catalog, increase culturally responsive course offerings, and expand Dual-Enrollment and Advanced Placement opportunities.

 Mr. Martin Diaz

Mr. Martin Diaz

Assistant Principal for Registration

Mrs. Jordan Young

Mrs. Jordan Young

Assistant Principal of Instruction

Mrs. Jordan Young grew up in Lake Stevens, Wa, which is located just north of Seattle. For undergrad, she attended the University of California Santa Barbara and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science. Upon graduation, Mrs. Young was accepted into the 2013 Teach for America Corps and was placed in the Phoenix region. She taught two years of 8th grade science in Avondale while simultaneously earning her Masters in Secondary Science Education from ASU. After completing her TFA commitment, Ms. Young made the transition to PXU.

Mrs. Young spent the last six years as a science teacher at Cesar Chavez High School (CCHS). While at CCHS, she served as the Science Instructional Leader, Attendance Committee Chair and the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP) Chair. In 2019, Mrs. Young was selected as a full-time fellow for the rigorous iLeadAZ principal preparatory program at ASU. She completed the 15-month program and graduated with her second Masters in Educational Leadership. This will be Mrs. Young’s first year as an Assistant Principal and she is excited to serve under the Office of Instruction. She is a firm believer in educational equity and the importance of building relationships. In her free time, Mrs. Young likes to spend time with her husband, family/friends, and two rescue dogs. She also enjoys traveling, tending to her many plants, and completing projects around her home.

CEHS Parent Involvement Policies and Parent Compact

Mr. Kevin Belcher

Mr. Kevin Belcher

Assistant Principal for Student Opportunities

Mr. Belcher is originally from Camden County, New Jersey.  He has been teaching and coaching in Arizona for 22 years; he joined Phoenix Union in 2002.  Mr. Belcher was an Advanced Biology and Chemistry Teacher and the Varsity Head Football Coach at both Central (2002 - 2007) and Fairfax (2007 -2014) high schools.  Coach Belcher became the Assistant Principal of Student Opportunities and Athletic Director at Fairfax (2014 - 2022). This will be his ninth year as an Assistant Principal in PXU; and his first at Central High School.

Like many PXU students and alumnae, Mr. Belcher is a first-generation high school and college graduate. Coach Belcher takes great pride in supporting student-athletes in the pursuit and attainment of their goals. His WHY for teaching and coaching continues to be the desire to help students develop goals, identify opportunities, and feel confidence, courage, and preparedness to pursue their dreams in education, career, and life.

Mr. Belcher has continued his own education.  He is a nationally Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA).  This will be his fourth term (2019 - present) as Arizona’s State Coordinator of Professional Development for the AIAAA/NIAAA Leadership Training Institute.  He works with representatives of each state to advance this national training program and teach the athletic administrators for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Association (NIAAA).  In addition, Mr. Belcher serves on multiple committees for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA).

Mr. Belcher has received numerous honors at the district, state, and national level for developing original leadership programs for coaches and athletes.

Recent Professional Awards and Honors

  • 2022 NIAAA University Leadership Cohort

  • 2021 AIAAA Recipient Distinguished Service Award

  • 2021 NIAAA Certified Master Athletic Administrator

  • 2018 AIA Administrator of the Year

  • 2018 AIAAA 5A Conference Athletic Director of the Year

  • 2018 PXU District Athletic Director of the Year

  • 2016 NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator

  • 2011 Region Coach of the Year

  • 2006 AIA Coach of the Year Finalist

  • 2006 City of Phoenix Coach of the Year

  • 2006 Region Coach of the Year

  • 2000 Recipient of Thomas J Gallia Bronze Medallion for Excellence in Secondary Teaching from Rowan University

Ms. Danielle Shields

Ms. Danielle Shields

Assistant Principal for Student Services

I am originally from San Francisco, California. I received my Bachelors of Science in Biology from Alabama State University. I previously worked as a financial aid advisor at University of Phoenix, which is where I received my Masters in Secondary Education. After receiving my teacher certification, I went on to serve as a math teacher at Maryvale High School, where I also served as the Algebra I and Geometry PLC leader.  When the ribbon was cut on Phoenix Coding Academy, I thought it would be an amazing learning experience to transition there, where I learned about small schools, team teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  At Phoenix Coding Academy, I taught various math courses and foundations of scientific inquiry, while serving as the 9th grade Instructional Leader.  I taught there for three years and then transitioned to Linda Abril Educational Academy as their Math Instructional Leader, which is where I also completed my administrative internship.  While there, I was enrolled and received my Masters in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.

I have an amazing and talented 9-year-old son who is my WHY.  I am also a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, who enjoys spending time with them. One of my strong suits as an educator is building relationships, which is why I am truly excited to be serving as the Assistant Principal of Student Success at Central High School.