Get To Know Valiant

Meet Our Staff

Eric Pawlak

Superintendent
Principal – CFO – HR Director – Accreditation Officer
Department of Education Liason

Eric Pawlak has worked in Public, Charter and Private Schools as a Principal, Assistant Principal, and Teacher for the last 25 years. He earned a Teaching Degree from NAU in 1995 and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Arizona State University in 2001. Eric has served as the Director of Academics at Valiant College Preparatory since its inception in 2018.

Jami Robinson

Vice Principal – Teacher

Jami Watters has over a decade of teaching experience. She holds her first degree in History, with an emphasis in U.S. Government and Military History. A Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She later earned her second degree in Religious Studies and a certificate in Religion and Conflict. Ms. Watters is also a competitive swimmer and has traveled the country to compete with the best.

Scott Weeks

Teacher

Scott Weeks holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and has taught English in Arizona, for 13 years. He grew up playing sports (baseball, basketball and football) in the Chicago area. Mr. Weeks has a passion for literature. He is known for his teaching techniques. He encourages students to think critically and analytically through discussion and introspection.

Mario Meza

Teacher

Mario Meza graduated from the University of California Irvine with a Bachelor’s Degree in Bilingual Education/Spanish Literature. He also received an English Teacher Certification from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM). He has taught at numerous schools throughout Arizona, California and
Mexico.

Jeff LaMotte

Teacher

Jeff LaMotte is a 2003 graduate of West Liberty University, in West Virginia. While attending West Liberty, Jeff earned a Bachelor’s Degree in K-6 Education as well as K-12 Special Education with a concentration in the area of Math. In addition, while competing in Wrestling for the Hilltoppers during the 2000-2001 season at 165 lbs, he finished in 7th place in the NCAA Division II tournament. Jeff was also a 3 time Academic All American at West Liberty. Jeff has been coaching wrestling and teaching in Arizona for over 15 years, and enjoys helping student athletes reach their goals in the classroom and on the mat.

Candice Freeman

Teacher

Ms. Freeman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and has over 15 years of teaching Mathematics. Her teaching philosophy centers on the belief that every student can succeed in math when given the right tools, encouragement, and real-world connections.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Freeman is married with 3 children. She enjoys spending time with husband and children, practicing piano and drums, as well as sewing. Her ultimate goal is to inspire confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning in her students.

Paul Coleman

Teacher

Paul is a military veteran with a range of teaching experience from middle school to college levels. He is passionate about making learning practical, engaging, and relevant to students’ lives. His military background instilled a strong sense of discipline, leadership, accountability, and service qualities that he carries into his classroom and everyday life. He has degrees Political Science, and Master’s degrees in both Education and Business.

Gaspar Mata

Director of Community Relations

Gaspar Mata is an Arizona native. He became a first-generation college student —an achievement that fueled his passion for opening doors for others. Throughout his career, he has led successful programs and mentored countless young people, helping them reach their potential while exceeding organizational goals.

He has served on educational advisory boards, advised on policy and fundraising strategies, and worked closely with local leaders to create real change—especially in efforts to bridge the gap in education and close the opportunity divide in our communities.

Guillermo Torres

Assistant Wrestling Coach

Memo Torres is from Guadalajara, Mexico. He started wrestling as a youth, becoming a youth national champion in Mexico. He was a silver medalist in the 2011 Pan American Games and later became a silver medalist at the 2012 Pan American Wrestling Olympic Qualifying Tournament, earning a spot to represent Mexico in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. Most recently he competed as a participant in Season 32 of The Ultimate Fighter – UFC.

Kayla Miracle

Volunteer Wrestling Coach

Kayla Miracle is…

KAYLA MIRACLE! One of the most decorated Women’s Wrestlers…ever. Four time WCWA National Champion. Pan American Games Champion. Four time Final X Champion. Five time U.S. Open Champion. Age Group and Senior World Team Member in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. Two time U.S. Olympian in 2020 and 2024. Now she’s giving back to coming generations of student athlete wrestlers in the classroom at Valiant College Preparatory.

Adrian Cordova

Volunteer Wrestling Coach

Adrian Cordova is from Colorado Springs Colorado. He started wrestling when he was four years old and since then became a two time State Champion at Coronado High School, Fargo Runner Up, two time Fila Junior Champion, Junior World Team Member, and Junior Pan Ams Runner Up.