Copper Basin Elementary

Byron Hastings

Mr. Hastings grew up in northern Colorado but has been in Arizona for over 25 years. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2005 and taught History, ELL, French, and German at Florence High School before moving to Poston Butte High School. There he served as a foreign language teacher, instructional coach, and Dean of Students before moving to San Tan Foothills High School as an Assistant Principal. Since 2022, Mr. Hastings has been the Principal of Copper Basin Elementary.

Mr. Hastings has worked with the Copper Basin community to develop a mission and vision that puts learning front and center. Staff and students at Copper Basin challenge themselves to learn at high levels and be their best academically, emotionally, and socially. Copper Basin is a caring community of engaged learners who persevere and take pride in their actions.

Mr. Hastings is proud to lead the staff and students at Copper Basin Elementary. Please feel free to reach out to him with any questions or concerns you may have.   

Tara Walter

Tara Walter has taught various grade levels from kindergarten through twelfth grade since 2000, serving the past twelve years as an administrator.  She holds two master’s degrees in education from Northern Arizona University, graduating with high honors in Educational Leadership: Principal K-12 and Elementary Education; two bachelor’s degrees from the State University of New York in Elementary Education and English (Literature/Writing), and an associate degree in Liberal Arts from Herkimer County Community College.  She was provided the unique opportunity to complete the second half of her student teaching experience abroad, in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.  During her experience abroad, she welcomed the opportunity to travel throughout Europe.  This experience allowed her to learn and appreciate other cultures and ways of life.

As an educator, she has served as a Team Leader, Reading Coach, Mentor Teacher, Gifted Site Coordinator, NJHS, and Science Club Advisor.  Her responsibilities in these positions allowed her to create opportunities for the students and aide colleagues in achieving higher standards for themselves professionally.  Mrs. Walter’s core belief as an educator is that all students have the potential to be successful.  She believes that with a positive attitude, growth mindset, and good character, anyone can achieve great things.  Mrs. Walter strives to instill those qualities in our students and to be a positive role model as well.  Her goal for this year is to provide a safe and nurturing educational environment for our students.  She will challenge our students to reach beyond their expectations and become lifelong learners who will make the world a better place.  She is looking forward to a wonderful year at Copper Basin and is excited about the possibilities ahead for us!

Go Dust Devils!

Christel Bruno

As the Academic Intervention Specialist for Copper Basin Elementary, Christel Bruno brings over two decades of experience in teaching mathematics (6th to 12th grades) to her role. Prior to this switch, she has started her last five school years with FUSD, first as an instructional coach for Poston Butte and then as a curriculum specialist for the district.  Christel specializes in designing and leading professional learning opportunities centered on the implementation of STEM education, fostering hands-on learning, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary connections for educators and their students. For the past decade, she has facilitated professional development, including workshops with the American Modeling Teachers Association on STEM integration and, most recently, co-leading a workshop series on Modeling for the Middle School Mathematics classroom and sharing out resources with the Department of Education around their Connections for Success work. Christel holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Natural Science from Arizona State University. As a committed lifelong learner, she recently achieved her credentials as an ISTE Certified Educator and a Next Generation Science Facilitator.