Meet the team that supports our students, families, and staff each day. Our leadership and administrative team is committed to creating a welcoming, Christ-centered school environment rooted in care, communication, and community.
Together, we partner with families to support each child’s academic, social, and spiritual growth, ensuring every child feels known, valued, and encouraged to thrive.
Our Team
Staci Parrin
Center Director
Staci earned her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has been a dedicated part of the Ascension community for many years. She was married at Ascension in 2000, and the church and school have remained a meaningful part of her family’s life.
She began working at Ascension in 2011 as a classroom aide and became a lead teacher in 2013, nurturing and guiding young learners for several years. She has also served in ministry roles, including Sunday School Coordinator. Staci transitioned into the role of Assistant Director in 2019 and became ECC School Director in 2025.
As ECC School Director, Staci leads with a strong love for Jesus and a heart for creating a Christ-centered environment where children feel safe, loved, and valued. She is known for her steady leadership, caring nature, and dedication to every child and family.
Staci and her husband have three adult children, all of whom attended Ascension. She enjoys reading, cooking, camping, and spending time with her family and dogs.
Eva Russell
Business and Christian Education Director
Eva earned her bachelor’s degree in Music and later completed an internship in children’s ministry, where her passion for serving children and families began. She also spent four years teaching in an early childhood center while earning her master’s degree in Christian Leadership.
She joined Ascension as Assistant Director and stepped into a director-level role in 2019. As ECC School Business and Christian Education Director, Eva is dedicated to “Connecting little hearts to Jesus” by creating a Christ-centered environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow. She focuses on strengthening operations, supporting staff, and building meaningful relationships with families.
Eva and her husband have two children, ages 2 and 8. As a family, they enjoy camping, fishing, and spending time outdoors. Eva also enjoys cooking, reading, gardening, and caring for her plants.
Alexia Mares
Alexia brings over ten years of experience in early childhood education and youth development. Prior to joining Ascension, she worked with the YMCA of Southern Arizona, where she developed a strong foundation in mentoring and supporting young people.
She began at Ascension in 2016 as a floater and classroom support staff member, advancing to classroom aide and later to a lead teacher role in 2019. Through her experience across age groups, she developed a strong understanding of child development and a passion for fostering nurturing, engaging learning environments. She now serves as Program Coordinator, where she supports curriculum implementation, ensures classroom consistency, and assists with daily school operations.
In addition, Alexia oversees the school’s social media and marketing efforts, helping to share the story and mission of Ascension with the broader community. She is passionate about contributing to a collaborative, Christ-centered environment that supports children’s academic, social, and spiritual growth and works closely with school leadership to ensure programs align with the mission and values of Ascension Preschool.
Outside of school, Alexia enjoys traveling, photography, and spending time with her Dalmatian
Program Coordinator