The Federal Programs and Grant Development Department focuses on Title I funding and grants to provide quality educational opportunities for the students of the Cartwright School District.
*The Cartwright Elementary School District, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Phoenix, intends to submit an application to the Arizona Department of Education for a 21st CCLC grant. The grant will support an academic-focused after school program for students at Palm Lane, Bret R. Tarver, Cartwright, Starlight Park, Glenn L. Downs, and Heatherbrae schools. If you have any comments on the proposed program, please contact Dr. Amy Strefling. A copy of the application will be available for public review after submittal at our District Office.
Dr. Derek Ethridge
Director of Federal Programs and Grant Development
Dr. Derek Etheridge began his career with the Cartwright School District in 2006 after moving from his hometown in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Dr. Etheridge is a former middle school math teacher, math content specialist, assistant principal, and principal. Dr. Etheridge began in the Federal Programs department in May of 2019. He earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his master’s degree in K-12 leadership from Capella University, and his doctoral degree in organizational leadership with an emphasis in K-12 leadership from Grand Canyon University. Dr. Etheridge is currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting from Ottawa University.
One of Dr. Etheridge’s favorite things to do is to attend baseball games during the spring and summer. In fact, his personal goal is to visit every professional baseball stadium in the United States. In his role in Federal Programs, Dr. Etheridge is committed to providing principals and schools with the resources they need to ensure high levels of learning for all student.
Dr. Amy J. Strefling
Asst. Director of Federal Programas and Grant Development
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr. Amy Strefling became a first-generation college graduate after earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Arizona State University. She continued her education as a Sun Devil, receiving a master's degree in educational administration and a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies. Dr. Strefling has served Arizona's children as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels since 1987. She also worked as an adjunct faculty member at Northern Arizona University, teaching classes in Educational Leadership and School Law. Her work with Federal Programs began in the Roosevelt School District in 2007. She joined the Cartwright Team in May of 2015. Dr. Strefling is dedicated to supporting schools with decisions on how to best serve students with all of the district's resources.
Cris Herrera
Administrative Coordinator
Cris worked as an administrative assistant in 2013 at Marc T. Atkinson Middle School. In 2014, she started working as an administrative specialist for the Federal Programs Dept. She has her Associate's Degree and wants to complete her Bachelor's Degree in education.