Renae Short grew up in Kinston, Alabama. In 1991, she moved to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the University of Alabama Birmingham for both her Bachelors of Science in Education and her Masters in Secondary Education. Renae has been teaching mathematics and special education as well as school administration since 1996. She moved to Payson with her husband and canine kids in 2012 to teach mathematics and special education. She became the PCS Lead Teacher in 2020.

bio coming soon

Hello, My name is Jeff Simon and I am the Principal of Payson High Schools here in Payson Arizona. My wife and 3 kids have been in Payson since 2013 where I served as Assistant Principal of Payson High School through the 2016-2017 school year. In the 2017-2018 school year, I was promoted to Principal of Payson High School. In 2020-2021, Payson High School, Payson Center for Success and Payson Center For Success Online became one school which dubbed my position as Principal of Payson High Schools.  During this time I have been lucky enough to be named NASSP/ ASA Arizona’s Principal of the Year 2020-2021 and NASSP/ ASA Arizona’s Assistant Principal of the Year 2016-2017. 

After graduating high school from Craig Colorado, I went to Regis University where I graduated with a Bachelors of Art degree in Social Studies, Secondary Education in 2000. In 2006 I continued my education by earning two masters degrees from Walden University. Both degrees are Masters of Science in Education but in 2007 I graduated with an emphasis in Technology and Curriculum and in 2009 with an emphasis in Educational Leadership.

It’s Great to be a Longhorn!!

Mrs. Harpe started her career in education in 1993 as a middle school teacher and coach in Meridian, Idaho.  She has a Bachelors in Elementary Education from Boise State University. 
Upon earning her Masters in Educational Leadership at Northwest Nazarene University she accepted a position as the Rim Country Middle School assistant principal (in PUSD) in 2004.  

After gaining experience as a principal in two other Arizona districts, Mrs. Harpe returned to Payson Unified School District as a teacher and in 2020 became the Payson High Schools assistant principal.

Mrs. Harpe had two children attend the majority of their education in PUSD.  She wants to continue to be a leader that focuses on improvement and providing opportunities for students.  Mrs. Harpe is proud to support students in their journey of learning, growing, and becoming responsible adults and community members. 

When not at work, Mrs. Harpe enjoys golfing with her husband and son, playing with her granddaughter, visiting her daughter in Oregon, and taking her dogs for walks in the forest. 

Brian has been at PHS for 16 years. He has been serving in the role of Instructional Coach for the past 5. Brian is also the head baseball coach at PHS and has been coaching for 16 years.

Ted has been a resident of the Payson area since 1967 and graduated Payson High School in 1978. He attended Grand Canyon University from 1979 - 1985 receiving a BA in Religion with Minors in Social Studies and Behavioral Science in 1985. After receiving his Teaching Certificate in 1997 Ted taught Social Studies at Rim Country Middle School for 15 years before moving to Payson High School and then joined Payson Center for Success in 2011. Ted has a Masters in Educational Technology from GCU and just completed his Masters in Teaching American History and Government as well as working on two Doctorates in Higher Education Leadership and in Christian Theology. Ted says, “I have a passion for all things history, for encouraging students to think critically, be knowledgeable about their world, and to live with passion and respect for all around them.” A teacher presents the past, reveals the present, and creates the future!