About SKILLS Private Academy
Highly qualified teachers and staff teach students where and how they are willing to learn. We provide differentiated lessons that follow the Arizona State Standards in these areas:
READING AND WRITING
Students are taught using grade-level standards, with modified lessons and accommodations students can easily access content. Individualized attention means maximum progress. Teachers use curriculum from Shurley, Unique, and Read Naturally. Students have the latest technology available in Chromebooks and iPads to provide practice safe written language and closely monitored research opportunities.
​
MATH
The curriculum used to teach math includes Unique, TouchMath, and Saxon. Teachers use manipulatives along with several other resources to focus on real-life use of math skills. While learning grade-level math standards, students are taught, to exchange money in the community, make a budget, use measurements in recipes, and more. Students have measured and built raised beds for a garden. Math is hands-on and relevant.
SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES
Science and social studies curricula are taught in units using Unique and individualized upper-level lessons aligned to state standards. Students are also given access to local area resources and interaction within the community to learn through hands-on experiences. Some of our community-based field trips include visits to Coronado National Memorial, San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area, Colossal Cave, and Ramsey Canyon, Patterson Observatory, and the Air and Space Museum. Each year students have an opportunity to participate in a school-wide science fair where classes work together produce one class project.
Meet our Staff
Helping Students Grow
Kelly Michael
Owner/Director/Superintendent
Lisa Thurber
Principal- South Campus
Julie Reed
Principal- Central Campus
Melissa Mazzanti
Chief Financial Officer/HR
Maria Kynaston
HR/Classroom
Melena Torres
Administrative Assistant
Teachers
Valerie Garmon
Teacher
Stephanie Lord
Transitions Teacher
Vanessa Gonzales
Teacher
Nicole Johnston
Teacher
Serena Thurber
Middle School Teacher
Bryanna Lord
Elementary School Teacher
Jena Sieting
Teacher
Chris Wilson
Teacher
Heather Douglas
Teacher
Cho Dominguez
Teacher
Andrea Miller
Teacher
Theresa Wall
Teacher
Kandi Zimpleman
Teacher
Administration
Para-professionals
Anthony Araujo-Cruz
Yaretzi Borquez
Yariela Borquez
Alicia Carbajal
Support Staff
Ted Rayfield
Bus Driver
Yariela Borquez
Bus Driver
Therapists
Speech Therapist
Dale Bryan
Physical Therapist
Tanya Dzingle
Occupational Therapist