Stephen (Rusty) Smith

Patricia “Patti” Edgemon

I am an Oklahoma native who began my teaching career in the United States Marine Corps in 1991 before transitioning to public education in North Carolina in 1997. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Middle East Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2002 and later earned a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix in 2005.

I moved to Arizona with my family in 2002 and joined Florence Unified School District in 2005. Since then, FUSD has become both my professional home and an extension of my family. I am passionate about serving students, families, and staff, and consider it a privilege to now educate and support the children of many of my former students.

My husband and I have been together for nearly 18 years and enjoy spending time with our large blended family, which includes three daughters, two sons, four granddaughters, and three grandsons. I love my work in education and remain committed to helping every student succeed. I believe that strong relationships, high expectations, and a supportive school community are the foundation of student success.

Mark Inmon

My journey into the field of education began in a small corner of Arizona, with a humble beginning as a substitute teacher for Bullhead City School District. Over the next decade, an evolution encompassing classroom, district, alternative education, and extracurricular coaching allowed me to work with some fantastic educators, support staff, and administrators. Obtaining a passion for facilitating professional learning.

Upon graduating from Northern Arizona University, I returned to my purpose of public education. My wife, Haley, and I decided to move south toward the East Valley to raise our four children. This decision helped reinforce my desire to promote innovative teaching methods and create engaging curriculum materials. My experience as a mathematics teacher has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the intersection between curriculum and technology, enabling me to effectively support teachers. In addition to curriculum support, I focus on student academic intervention and instructional coaching—working directly with students to close learning gaps and partnering with teachers to implement data-driven strategies that improve classroom outcomes. I’m excited and proud to be part of the Florence Middle School family—go Gophers!