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
Administration


Kelly Michael
Founder/Superintendent



Lisa Thurber
Principal- Central Campus
Presly Yates
Admin Assistant- Central
Julie Reed
Principal- South Campus
Melena Torres
Admin Assistant- South

Melissa Mazzanti
Chief Financial Officer/HR

Maria Kynaston
Human Resources

Kyle Hop
Maintenance

Kari Leader
Information Technology

Rochelle Robles
Social Media
Teachers
Valerie Garmon
Pre-K

Heather Douglas
Kindergarten

Jena Sieting
Elementary

Cho Dominguez
Elementary





Vanessa Gonzales
Elementary
Theresa Wall
Elementary
Bryanna Lord
Elementary
Serena Thurber
Middle School

Andrea Miller
Middle/High

Kandi Zimpleman
High School

Nicole Johnston
Transitions

Stephanie Lord
Transitions

Chris Wilson
Life Skills
Bus Drivers


Ted Rayfield

Yariela Borquez
Occupational Therapist


Tanya Dzingle
Occupational Therapist


Tracy Benevich
COTA


Brenda
Supervising Counsel


Dale Bryan
Physical Therapist




