Administration

Ms. Savanh Skvarek - Principal

Ms. Skvarek was born in Laos also known as the “Land of a Million Elephants.” She was chosen to stay behind at the tender age of five years old to take care of her grandmother when her family decided to immigrate to the United States. She and her grandmother were reunited with the rest of her family three and a half years later and settled in Rochester, New York. Her love for learning began the moment she stepped foot on campus. Although she did not know English when she came to the United States, her passion for reading led her to win the sixth grade spelling bee. She was an active athlete who played soccer, volleyball and softball. After graduating from Rush-Henrietta High School, she attended the University of Rochester where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education. She started her teaching career in 2000 for the Rochester City School District before she and her husband moved to Las Vegas, NV a year later to revel in the Las Vegas heat and began teaching for the Clark County School District.

She began teaching at Matt Kelly ES for two years before having the opportunity to open up James H. Bilbray ES where she taught for five more years. She served as the grade-level chairperson and as the fourth grade writing teacher there. She helped the school reach “high achieving” status due to an incredible increase in the writing percentage. Ms. Skvarek wanted to experience teaching at the middle school level, so she transferred to Edmundo “Eddie” Escobedo MS where she stayed for eight years. She served as the ELA teacher, department chairperson and learning strategist/testing coordinator.

In 2009, Ms. Skvarek went back to school to get her second Master of Science degree in Educational Administration at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). She was appointed as the dean of Duane D. Keller MS in April of 2016 and was promoted to assistant principal of Las Vegas HS in 2018. She had the unique gift of moving with her middle school students with whom she developed meaningful relationships to Las Vegas HS. She and her students spent a total of six years together, and she shared in their joy when they graduated on the LVHS football field in May 2022.

Ms. Skvarek’s passion for working with kids started with her first tax-paying job at the age of 13 years old at a daycare during summer break. She is a strong advocate for kids whose goal is to empower them to take charge of their life with confidence, integrity, knowledge, and grace. She is an Eastsider who is proud to say that she and her husband of 30 years live in the community that she serves. She is honored and excited to share in the journey with teachers and staff, students, parents and community members to elevate Kathleen and Tim Harney MS to the next level.

Ms. Susan Thurman - Assistant Principal (Curriculum/PE/Social Studies)

Mrs. Thurman was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. She graduated from West Middlesex High School where she is currently a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame.  She attended Saint Bonaventure in NY on a volleyball scholarship and earned a  Bachelor's degree in education. After graduating she worked in Mercer County as a Title I paraprofessional and a volleyball, basketball, and track coach.   

In 1996, Mrs. Thurman began her teaching career for Clark County School District at Richard Rundle Elementary School teaching 5th grade. During this time, she earned a Master’s degree in Administration at the University of Phoenix.  She was one of the fortunate educators to open Harney Middle School in 2002 serving as an ELA teacher, department chair, learning strategist, and student success coordinator.  Over the past 25 years she has also served as the Head Volleyball Coach at Las Vegas High School earning 2 State Championships and coached the inaugural women's volleyball team at the College of Southern Nevada. 

Mrs. Thurman met her husband, James Thurman, while coaching at LVHS.  They have two children.  She enjoys spending time with her family and supporting them in their athletic endeavors.

Ms. Julie Brown - Assistant Principal (Athletics/Special Education/Fine Arts/Facilities)

Ms. Julie Brown was born in Tacoma, Washington and moved to Las Vegas during her high school years. Ms. Brown was a member of her state champion volleyball team and awarded State Player of the Year. She attended UNLV and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. She also received her Master’s Degree in Autism and Intellectual Disabilities from UNLV. Ms. Brown also attended Sierra Nevada University for her Master’s Degree in Administration and Leadership.

In 2014, Ms. Brown began her teaching career for Clark County School District at JD Smith Middle School where she taught Resource Math and English. She later transferred to Durango High School, then Silverado High School as a Special Education Instructional Facilitator. In the nine years Ms. Brown has been in the district, she has also coached Girls’ Volleyball and Basketball.

Ms. Brown is married and has two children and two grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Ms. Shira Wise - Assistant Principal (Testing/Activities/Mathematics/Science)

Ms. Wise joined Harney Middle School as an Assistant Principal in April 2025. A Washington native, she holds a BA in English (University of Washington), a Master’s in Education (Central Washington University), and a Master’s in Educational Leadership (Western Governors University).

With a career in education spanning since 1998, Ms. Wise has taught English, math, and science across Washington and Nevada. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, a Fulbright Scholar (Japan, 2002), and previously served as a charter school assistant principal for 2.5 years. Outside of K-12 education, she has also managed a healthcare clinic and founded a local women's health non-profit.

Ms. Wise moved to Henderson in 2016 with her husband and four children. In her free time, she loves supporting her eldest daughter's college gymnastics meets, spending time with her family, and dreaming of future world travels.

Ms. Kathleen Coronado - Assistant Principal (Discipline/Attendance)

Ms. Kathleen Coronado was raised on a farm in Ohio. She loved going to school and especially participating in extracurricular activities like choir and band. After graduating from high school, she joined the U.S. Navy, where she met her husband. They moved to Virginia, where they raised four children together.

She attended Old Dominion University and went on to receive a Bachelor's degree in Counseling, a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and Reading, and an Educational Specialist degree in Administration and supervision K-12.

Ms. Coronado taught at the elementary level for sixteen years before working as a Reading Specialist and then, after moving to Las Vegas, as an RBG3 Learning Strategist.

Ms. Coronado has a dedication to helping students succeed academically and socially so they can reach their potential.