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