School Principal’s Office

Meet Ajo’s principal, and learn more about her background.

Principal’s Profile

Mercy Arancon is the new school principal.
Mercy Arancon will begin her tenure as Ajo Unified School District’s new principal on July 1, having already served multiple AUSD roles since she came to Ajo schools in 2011. When asked what she is most passionate about in her new role, Arancon didn’t hesitate to say, “the kids!” with a big smile across her face. She continued, saying, “I consider myself their second mom; I advocate for them in all aspects. We are in the business of serving kids.” With that in mind, Arancon said she will prioritize teachers by continuing to build their professional capacity, since “they are directly involved with the kids at least five hours per day.” The rest of the staff is also a priority, “because they support the teachers – who support kids.”

Arancon began her career in education in the Philippines in 1999, where she taught elementary computer education until 2007 and math from 2005-
2007. From 2007-2011, she was a special education math and science teacher for middle school students at Prince George County Public Schools in Maryland. While there, she also mentored first-year teachers, was a training facilitator for international educators, and was the math department chair.
Since coming to Ajo schools in 2011, Arancon has been an academic advisor for high school students, master scheduler for kindergarten to 12th grade.
classes, director of the Move on When Reading program, high school student council advisor, grants coordinator, Child Study Team coordinator, teacher (as
needed), and AP/Dual Enrollment Coordinator. Her job title prior to being chosen principal was instructional coach.
She began her education at the University of San Carlos in the Philippines, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 1993. She received an additional Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan in 1998, a Professional Education degree from Bukidnon State College in 2003, a diploma in Special Education Teaching Program from Pilgrim Christian College in 2005, and a Master of Education in Special Education from Cebu Technological University in 2010. In addition to the university degrees, Arancon holds numerous certifications and has attended training in the areas of special education, English immersion, teaching reading and writing, math, and leadership.

Most recently, Arancon completed a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University, where she was also in the Honors Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She completed the two-year degree this past April, a time when she was also teaching economics to Ajo High School’s junior class, whose members suggested she apply for the position of principal. She noted the new graduate degree and the encouragement from her students were key factors in her deciding to apply to be AUSD’s new principal following Dr. Lance Chebultz’s recent retirement at the end of June.
About being in Ajo since 2011, Arancon said, “I fall in love with a place and make it home.” The 2024-2025 school year will be her fourteenth in the district, and she said, “I’ve grown a lot. I’m a lifelong learner; I don’t settle for what I know.”

When asked how her relationship to the kids at the school may change as she transitions to principal, she said, “I will continue to be directly involved with the kids as much as possible. I expect a lot from them, but they know I don’t bite! I’ll always be 100% supportive of the kids”.

Arancon doesn’t see her role as principal being limited to AUSD and recognizes the importance of being part of the Ajo area community. During her interview with Ajo Copper News staff, she said, “The whole community are all stakeholders. The school needs the community, and we are lucky to be a part of Ajo’s community – they are very supportive of the school. Ajo makes the school feel supported and loved, and that’s what we need.”

She gave the example of having recently reached out to a few community members about the need for more local scholarships for Ajo graduates. Within a short time, new scholarships (the Cathy Hutton, Red & White, Hooves & Hens, and Kord’s Angels scholarships) were created, funded, and awarded to members of this year’s AHS graduating class. Arancon said she loves the simpler life Ajo offers and that there is no traffic to and from work. She also loves the weather, as well as singing and sharing her talent as a choir member since 2011 at Immaculate Conception church. She and her husband Jose regularly serve at the 10 a.m. Mass there with other church members.

The Arancons have four children: Alyssa, age 28, an RN stationed in Tucson with her own family; EJo, age 26, currently training to become a Class A CDL driver; Tiany, age 20, soon starting upper division classes at UofA’s School of Accountancy; and EmJ, age 7, who will start second grade in August. About her family, Arancon said, “It is rare for my family to be complete now, but we try our best to spend quality time together regularly – these times are always precious for me.”
At the end of her interview, Arancon smiled and said, “This is my home, and this is my school. I like the sense of family here.”