Dr. Stephanie Musser is the Founder and CEO of Candeo Schools, Inc., a classical charter school organization in Arizona. Its flagship campus, Candeo Peoria, is Arizona’s only licensed Hillsdale College Curriculum School and a National School of Distinction recognized by the Core Knowledge Foundation. Since opening, Candeo has consistently ranked among the state’s highest-performing schools, earning top ratings from the Arizona Department of Education.

With more than 30 years in education, Stephanie has devoted her career to advancing excellence in charter schools through teaching, leadership, consulting, and state-level service. Before establishing Candeo, she worked throughout the Phoenix Valley, supporting schools in strengthening academic achievement, securing resources, and developing organizational integrity. She has also contributed to state initiatives in grant development, charter evaluation, and educator training.

Stephanie earned her Doctorate in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Brigham Young University. Her credentials also include K–8 teaching certification with endorsements in Gifted Education, Early Childhood Education, and Structured English Immersion.

Kimberley Marchisotto holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University, A Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education form Arizona State University. Kimberley is also a graduate of the National Institute for School Leadership, the leading provider of high-quality, research-based leadership development programs for school leaders. Kimberley’s certifications include a Standard Principal Certificate in Arizona, as well as teaching (K-8), with specialized endorsements in Structured English Immersion, and Gifted Education. In 2017, she was awarded the Leadership Gold Fellowship by Team CFA.

Mrs. Marchisotto has 25 years of experience in education in the state of Arizona including 19 years in the classroom teaching sixth grade and second grade, and six years in instructional leadership as an Assistant Principal, Principal, and School Director. She has also trained schools across the United States in the Core Knowledge curriculum, and served as an evaluator for schools applying to become Schools of Distinction.

Ms. Melody Ray has over 30 years of experience in education, Her career spans both public and private sectors, where she has taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Notably, she served as 3rd grade teacher at a private classical academy in North Carolina and then as a 5th grade teacher in a Title I charter setting, gaining valuable perspective on educational equity and student achievement. Ms. Ray is an Orton-Gillingham trained educator.

From 2020 to 2023, Ms. Ray was a 3rd grade teacher at Candeo. In addition to her Bachelor’s of Elementary Education degree from East Coast Bible College, Ms. Ray also holds a Master’s of Education degree from Northern Arizona University and has served in various leadership roles. Her commitment to academic excellence and teacher development led her to serve as Dean of Academics at Candeo North Scottsdale from 2023–2024.

In 2024–2025, she served as the Founding Dean of Curriculum at a classical academy in South Carolina, where she helped shape a program rooted in the classical tradition. A strong advocate of classical education, she has many years of experience in this model and places deep emphasis on fostering virtue, cultivating a positive and joyful school culture, pursuing academic excellence, and ensuring alignment with families.