Administrative Team

The administrative team at Desert Oasis High School champions the core values of Leadership, Compassion, Justice, and Courage to foster an inclusive and empowering academic environment. By intentionally weaving these tenets into daily operations and student support, the leadership team ensures that every individual feels seen, valued, and held to high standards. These values directly drive the school's mission of successfully preparing all graduates to be enrollable, enlistable, and employable.

Mission & Vision Three E's Pathway Planning

Administrative Team

Mr. Ian Salzman, Principal

Principal Ian Salzman transitioned from a successful business career into education to give back to his community, initially teaching AP English Literature, where his high expectations led students to exceptional exam success and earned him the 2015 Nevada Teacher of the Year award. He then moved into administration as Dean of Students at Spring Valley High School, later becoming an Assistant Principal who brought Model United Nations to Nevada and helped the campus achieve national AVID Demonstration School status. Mr. Salzman became a principal at Canarelli Middle School in 2020. After successfully leading Canarelli Middle School to high-achieving status, he brought his talents to Desert Oasis High School, where he has served for the past five years. At Desert Oasis, Principal Salzman has been instrumental in elevating students through an engaging house system that uses the core values of Leadership, Compassion, Justice, and Courage to ensure every graduate is enrollable, enlistable, and employable.

Email Mr. Salzman Office of the Principal Principal's Welcome Letter

Ms. Domonique Jackson, Assistant Principal

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Ms. Domonique Jackson has served as an Assistant Principal at Desert Oasis High School since 2023. A proud Rebel, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English as well as her Master's in Educational Leadership from UNLV. Prior to joining the Diamondback team, she served as an Assistant Principal, Learning Strategist, and English teacher at Canarelli Middle School. Ms. Jackson is passionate about creating opportunities for every student to succeed—equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to unlock their potential so they can walk through any door they choose, while growing to be both smart and good.

Outside of school, she enjoys traveling with her husband and children, reading contemporary literature, and binge-watching jaw-dropping true crime documentaries! She lives by her favorite quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams."

Email Ms. Jackson Leadership Office Curriculum & Grading Information

Ms. Katie Kelly, Assistant Principal

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Ms. Kelly is proud to serve as an Assistant Principal at Desert Oasis High School, a position she has held since 2022. A dedicated educator with a diverse background in school leadership and instruction, she earned her Bachelor of Science in English Education before starting her career in the classroom as a passionate English teacher. She went on to earn a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix, as well as credentials in Educational Leadership from Sierra Nevada College. Before joining the team at Desert Oasis, Ms. Kelly honed her leadership skills serving as an administrator within the charter school system, and she remains deeply committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and rigorous educational environment where both students and staff can thrive.

Email Ms. Kelly Compassion Office

Ms. Kathy Poelma, Assistant Principal

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Ms. Kathy Poelma is proud to serve as an Assistant Principal at Desert Oasis High School, a role she has held for the past three years. A Las Vegas native and CCSD graduate, she brings 15 years of versatile educational experience to her leadership. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from UNLV, as well as an MA in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University. After building her instructional expertise as a dedicated teacher at Tarkanian Middle School, she joined Desert Oasis, where she remains deeply committed to empowering students for long-term success.

At home, Ms. Poelma is married with three amazing kiddos. In her free time, she loves traveling, diving into a good book, and enjoying all things Disney! When it’s time to get away, her favorite vacation spot is simple: "The beach. Any beach. Just need a beach!" She lives by her favorite quote by Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."

Her top advice for students? "Take ownership of your learning. Try finding the answer first, but remember that asking for guidance is a strength, not a weakness."

Email Ms. Poelma Justice Office

Mr. Orlando Dos Santos, Assistant Principal and Title IX Athletics Coordinator

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Mr. Orlando Dos Santos joined the Desert Oasis High School leadership team with valuable administrative experience, having served as a Nevada charter school Principal before transitioning to the Clark County School District. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, he began his career in education in 2000 as a Social Studies and PE teacher, holding degrees from the University of British Columbia and the University of Phoenix. Now in his fifth year at Desert Oasis, he oversees the Activity and Athletic Offices, where his dynamic leadership has sparked exceptional engagement and student success.

Outside of school, you might find him tuning into his favorite game shows, hitting the links as an avid golfer, or cheering as a big hockey fan! When it's time to unwind, his absolute favorite vacation spot is San Diego, catching some coastal sun. Whether he's traveling or working with students, he lives by the quote: "Two things you are in total control of are your attitude and your effort." 👍

His top advice for every Diamondback? "Get involved! Participating in athletics and/or activities is the ultimate way to level up your high school experience."

Email Mr. Dos Santos
Activities Office Athletics Office

Mr. Stephen Rash, Assistant Principal

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Mr. Stephen Rash brings multiple decades of valuable science teaching experience to the leadership team, having spent his career working with highly diverse student populations. Prior to administration, he dedicated nearly a decade to teaching at West Career and Technical Academy, where he was highly influential in preparing students for the medical industry and various postsecondary programs. For the past three years, he has served as an Assistant Principal at Desert Oasis High School, where he works in the Student Success Center with a continued focus on guiding students toward their future pathways.

Email Mr. Rash Student Success Center

Mr. Brandon Coger, Assistant Principal

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Mr. Brandon Coger joined the Desert Oasis leadership team with a strong background in student support, holding a Bachelor’s from CSU San Marcos and Master’s degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership from UNLV. After teaching special education at Clark High School and serving as a Student Success Instructional Facilitator at Eldorado High School, he was promoted to Assistant Principal, helping co-lead Eldorado to a Top Magnet School of America distinction. Now at Desert Oasis, he empowers students along their unique pathways to college, careers, or military service.

Outside of school, you'll usually find him embracing the outdoors, whether he's hiking a trail or spending time on the water. When it's time to get away, his go-to vacation spots are Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. He lives by the quote, "Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns just as much from his failures as from his successes."

His top advice for students? "Get engaged in your education to elevate your life through positive connections and have a little fun." Occasionally, you will catch Mr. Coger around campus telling his daily dad joke too.

Email Mr. Coger Student Success Center

Ms. Laura Frost, Learning Strategist

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Ms. Laura Frost serves as a Learning Strategist at Desert Oasis High School, where she proudly leads a house office dedicated to personalized student success through targeted academic interventions. Her rich background includes teaching English and working as a law librarian; experiences that reflect her deep passion for literacy and lifelong learning. She holds a BS in English from SUNY Oneonta, an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from UNLV, an MS in Library Science from the University of North Texas, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University.

Outside of school, Ms. Frost enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children and caring for animals. When it's time to relax, her absolute favorite vacation spot is anywhere with a beach and a warm ocean, and as a fun fact, she's happiest with sandy toes and a good book to read! She lives by the quote: "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Her top advice for students? "Make mistakes, learn from them, and always do better next time. This is what helps you grow into who you are meant to be." 💕

Email Ms. Frost Courage Office

Mr. John Blumenreich, Student Success Instructional Facilitator

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Mr. John Blumenreich brings a wealth of educational expertise to Desert Oasis High School, having previously taught in the Southern Nevada charter school system before joining the Diamondback team six years ago. Holding a double major in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and currently working toward an advanced degree in Educational Leadership, he has served as an influential campus leader through his roles as an instructional leader in the math department, AVID instructor driving postsecondary preparedness, and Learning Strategist supporting educators.

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Blumenreich is a true coast-to-coast traveler who has lived in five different states, though his absolute favorite vacation spot is relaxing on the Southern California beaches. In his day-to-day life, he strives to live by The Golden Rule, "treat others the way you want to be treated," and you can almost always count on him throwing a 🤣 into his text messages!

When it comes to making the most of high school, his top advice for students is simple: "Make sure to prioritize academics, but also work hard to get involved in extracurricular activities during your high school experience."

Email Mr. Blumenreich Student Success Center

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Administrative Team