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.
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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.
SKILLS Private Academy
Special Kids Individualized Learning Life Skills
Staff
Helping Students Grow
Administration
Kelly Mangan
Owner/Director/Superintendent
Lisa Thurber
Principal
Melissa Mazzanti
Chief Financial Officer
Melena Torres
Administrative Assistant
Kyle Hop
Maintenance/School Support
Teachers
Kandi Zimpelman
High School Teacher
Stephanie Lord
Transitions Teacher
Nicole Johnston
Life Skills Teacher
Theresa Wall
Elementary School Teacher
Serena Thurber
Middle School Teacher
Bryanna Lord
Elementary School Teacher
Rachel Bowers
Elementary School Teacher
Para-professionals
Jena Sieting
Para-professional
Tamara Madrid
Para-professional
Korbin Douglas
Para-professional
Celeste Wolfe
Para-professional
Natalie Bowers
Para-professional
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Maria Kynaston
Para-professsional
Claudia Darwin
Para-professional
Chris Wilson
Para-professional
Heather Douglas
Para-professional
Ted Rayfield
Bus Driver
Yariela Borquez
Bus Driver
Kerry Thurber
IT Administrator
Support Staff
Therapists
Amy Demuese
Speech Therapist
Suzette DeLeon
SLPA
Dale Bryan
Physical Therapist
Tanya Dzingle
Occupational Therapist