Kristy Keller
Principal

Ms. Kristy Keller, Canarelli Middle School's principal began her teaching career in Albuquerque, New Mexico as a self-contained instructor for adolescents with emotional disturbance. In 1987 she moved to Clark County where she taught SEC at Eldorado High School for three years. She then became the Special Education Facilitator at Bonanza High School from 1991-1994. In the fall of 1994, she was promoted to Dean of Students at Cimarron-Memorial High School. In December of 1996, she was promoted to the position of assistant principal at Roy Martin Middle School where she spent a year and one half before becoming assistant to the superintendent of what was then the Secondary Education Division of Curriculum & Instruction. In December of 2000, Ms. Keller became the principal of Walter Johnson Junior High School where she served as principal for three years until receiving the honor of opening Lawrence & Heidi Canarelli Middle School.

Ms. Keller's philosophy can best be described as a belief that we educate because we have the opportunity to shape the lives of human beings. She believes in the connection between teacher and child and knows there is no greater influence relative to student achievement. Ms. Keller is a people person, but can also be found replenishing her soul on the back of a 17-hand horse named Déjà vu. She is married to her best friend Greg who works in the nuclear industry and is also a lover of horses and golf.

Amy Brown
Assistant Principal

I am pleased to have been working at Canarelli Middle School since its opening in 2003. As a native of Las Vegas, I am a product of the Clark County School District. I graduated from Bonanza High School, earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where I also earned my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. As a teacher at VonTobel Middle School for 5 years I taught sixth, seventh, and eight grade. I also worked extensively with the Title One program while serving as a teacher at VonTobel Middle School. In 2001 I was appointed Dean of Students at Fremont Middle School were I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful staff and community of students. In February 2003 I was appointed to my current position at Canarelli Middle School. I truly value the opportunities I have been afforded throughout my career in education and enjoy shaping and influencing the lives of today's youth through education.

Jeff Dalton
Assistant Principal

Mr. Jeffery Dalton was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. Following High School, Mr. Dalton matriculated and graduated from Edinboro University with a B.S. in Biology, and certifications to teach Life and General Sciences. Following three years in the financial industry Mr. Dalton moved to Las Vegas and accepted a teaching position with the Clark County School District. Mr. Dalton began his teaching career in Clark County at Charles I. West Middle School, followed by two years at Grant Sawyer Middle School. In 2003, Mr. Dalton received his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from The University of Nevada Las Vegas and began his administrative
career as Dean of Students at Kenny C. Guinn Middle School. In the summer of 2007 Mr. Dalton was appointed as an Assistant Principal at Canarelli Middle School. Mr. Dalton is married to his wonderfully supportive wife Nicole and they have two handsome young boys together, Jakob and Jude.






Leigh Filipazzo
Dean of Students

Dr. Leigh Filipazzo began her undergraduate education at New York Hunter Teacher College. She transferred to the University of Long Island, C.W. Post College, met her husband, John, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Environmental Science. She continued on to New York Chiropractic College and opened a practice on Long Island. Dr.Filipazzo moved to New Jersey, opened a second practice and gave birth to her son Charles. The family moved to Las Vegas as Charles was entering kindergarten. Dr. Filipazzo became a mommy class helper and was again bitten by the teaching bug. She came full circle and completed her Masters Degree in Secondary Education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
She taught science at VonTobel Middle School and Cimarron Memorial High School for nine years. Upon completion of a Master in Administration at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, she was appointed as a dean at Clark High School. In 2007, Dr. Filipazzo joined the Canarelli team. Dr. Filipazzo believes that one should always leave people and places better than when one found them.

Liana Bolton
Dean of Students

Ms. Liana Bolton, dean of students, earned her Bachelor of Arts/Secondary English Education degree through Arkansas Tech. University. She moved to Las Vegas in 2000 and taught for four years at Duane Keller Middle School. While working at Keller Middle School, she attended the University of Phoenix and earned her Master of Arts in Education/Administration and Supervision. Ms. Bolton then accepted a position at Spring Valley High School where she served as the literacy coordinator and taught reading and English. In October of 2006, Ms. Bolton was appointed Dean of Students at Lawrence and Heidi Canarelli Middle School. Ms. Bolton believes that one of the most important things we as a society can do for our children is provide them with a quality education.