Curating our team has been an incredibly intentional and fulfilling process. We value each person’s unique perspectives, dedication, and expertise. Our team understands the importance of building strong relationships through social-emotional learning and restorative practices. They’re self-motivated, self-reflective, and represent the beauty and diversity of our community.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

IVETTE RODRIGUEZ

  • Ivette Rodriguez, Executive Director for Phoenix International Academy, has dedicated her career to serving the South Mountain community in Phoenix, Arizona. She began her time there as a bilingual teacher in 2002, at Davis School, where she became the Assistant Principal. Ivette then transitioned to Chavez School where she led a school turnaround and worked with the community to transform the school culture to one where student leadership and input are the focus. Ivette finished her time at Roosevelt as the Assistant Superintendent for Academics, where she supported school leaders in building strong community relationships and improving student outcomes.

    Education Experience: 24 years

AMANDA VAN DUSEN

  • Amanda began her teaching career in 2008 in the South Mountain community in Phoenix, Arizona. She has served in a variety of school positions ranging from classroom teacher to instructional coach and teacher trainer, and now feels like she is exactly where she’s meant to be - a Learning Community Leader and Restorative Practices Facilitator at Phoenix International Academy. Amanda has a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Education with a focus on Reading from Grand Canyon University, and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Boston University. She feels best when her students know they belong to their school community, and she works hard to build meaningful, happy relationships with every kid at PIA.

    When she’s at home she spends most of her time chasing her two children (and sometimes husband) around the backyard, trying new recipes, and going for walks at South Mountain.

    Education Experience: 17 years

FELICIA SPARKES

  • Felicia Sparkes began her teaching career in 2009 in the South Mountain community in Phoenix, Arizona. She has served the community for over 10 years as a teacher, Reading Coach, and District Literacy Specialist. As a Reading Coach and Literacy Specialist, Felicia led district and school-level professional development for teachers, provided coaching and support around literacy instruction, and facilitated conversations regarding data and root-cause analysis. Felicia has a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading Endorsement and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University.

    Education Experience: 16 years

K-3 LEARNING COMMUNITY

DEIJON PROCHET

  • Deijon was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Master's Degree in Special Education from Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. Deijon has been teaching for 5 years. She also owns a tutoring company that focuses on Early Childhood skills.

    She loves starting her day with a large Latte and a 4am gym session. In her free time you will find her reading fantasy books, outside with her dog piglet or spending time with her fiance.

    Education Experience: 7 years

GABRIELA ARCINIEGA

  • Gabriela Arciniega was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the middle child of three girls. Gabby is bilingual, speaking Spanish and English. She has a 6 month old kitty named Sage.

    Gabby graduated with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. For the past 5 years she has worked as a preschool aid and for an after school program. She enjoys coffee, traveling, watching movies, reading and dancing!

    Education Experience: 3 Years

MAYRA MARQUEZ

NOAH BARILARO

  • Noah is passionate about helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Living with cerebral palsy shaped his belief that perseverance, kindness, and encouragement can empower every child to overcome obstacles and reach their potential.

    His teaching philosophy is simple: fill buckets wherever you are planted and strive to be 1% better every day. He aims to create a classroom built on love, patience, and respect where students feel supported, confident, and inspired to believe in themselves.

    Outside of teaching, he enjoys exploring local coffee shops, volunteering in his community, playing tennis, and cheering on his favorite teams, the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is grateful for the opportunity to help make a positive difference in the lives of students and their families!

    Education Experience: 6 Years

GLEN NILES

COMING SOON

4-8 LEARNING COMMUNITY

SAMEERAH BALDWIN

  • Sameerah is a certified special education teacher and believes that every child should have a positive learning environment. Growing up in a family of educators it was already in the universe that her passion would be to serve the community, my community of south Phoenix for almost 15 years. Sameerah received a B.A. in Education from Arizona State University, specific to elementary and special education. Currently she’s pursuing a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon State University.

    As a consultant teacher for the special education department, I managed projects, built stronger relationships with the private day schools, facilitated training for teachers and administrators, attended training and workshops to better develop my teacher tool box, and became a certified trainer for Non-violent Crisis Prevention training through Crisis Prevention Intervention.

    Having a passion for helping children grow up to be their best selves is my ultimate goal. You can expect high energy, solutions, and a high level of care.

    Education Experience: 17 years

SARAH CONNELL

  • Sarah Connell was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. She recently graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology & Ecology) and also completed a certificate in Environmental Education. Sarah has spent several summers working as a camp counselor at a variety of locations, including an aquarium, where she discovered her passion for engaging students through hands-on learning! 

    Her work with National Audubon Society as part of the education team further inspired her to help develop immersive learning experiences that combine knowledge, creativity and curiosity. Sarah is passionate about wildlife conservation and has a deep love for all animals. She hopes to inspire curiosity about the world around us and highlight the beauty of nature and its many inhabitants, including humans! 

    Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her pets, a dog named Lou and a tortoise named Toby! In her free time, she loves playing pickleball, painting, and reading. You can often find her at the movie theater or spending time with family and friends. Sarah strives to create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and encouraged to be themselves while discovering and learning about the world around them.

    Education Experience: First year

TYLAR RODRIGUEZ

  • Tylar moved to Phoenix after teaching in New Mexico for the last nine years.  After teaching 3 years at Navajo Pine in Navajo, NM, Tylar moved to Albuquerque to teach at the Native American Community Academy. While there, Tylar had the pleasure to serve students in a variety of roles including teacher, advisor, athletic director, coach, and most recently, a member of the Land-based Healing and Learning Team. Tylar is extremely passionate about science and the intersection of Land-based learning, sustainability, and restorative practices in the science classroom. Parents can expect Tylar to work hard to develop strong relationships with their students and take time to develop curriculum that reflects their interests and local place. 

    Beside being a teacher, Tylar loves being a new father and husband and getting outside to hike, bike, and run. Tylar is excited to join the PIA community and serve its students and families. 

    Education Experience: 11 years

NATSUKI JALLORINA

  • Natsuki was born and raised in Japan where she studied Developmental Psychology and Education for her Bachelor's Degree. She also earned her Master's Degree in Community Development from the University of the Philippines. She started her teaching career in an English-Japanese bilingual international school in Japan as a grade 4 and 6 classroom teacher. She moved to Helsinki, Finland, and continued teaching as a personal teaching assistant in an international school there. She is excited about moving to Phoenix and joining the PIA community. She is also a mom of a 2-year-old daughter and a wife to a Filipino husband. 

    Education Experience: 8 years

NIKKI TRAPP

  • Nikki was raised in southern California and eventually moved to northern California to obtain her degree in Psychology with a minor in Child Development. In 2013, she moved to Arizona and obtained a masters degree in Special Education in MID/MOD from Grand Canyon University. During her years of teaching, Nikki has worked with students in all levels of education; preschool, K-8 and high school; working with a wide range of students with special needs. Teaching and being a positive influence on children and youth is her passion.

    She has two children of her own; an 8th grade girl and a son who is transitioning into Kinder this year. At home, she enjoys cooking/baking and playing card/board games. She is constantly listening to music and enjoys podcasts, reading and creative journaling. She is also a gym junkie and makes sure to prioritize working out in her everyday routine.

    Education Experience: 11 years

MARY JACKSON

  • Mary Jackson, an Arizona native, started her teaching career in 2016 across various charter schools in the Phoenix area.  Mary graduated from Concordia University - Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Education, specializing in middle level mathematics and science. For the last couple of years, Mary worked to source and provide schools and districts across Arizona with substitute teaching staff.  Missing the classroom and connection with students and their families, she is excited to be reigniting her passion for education at PIA.  Mary is passionate about shaping young minds and fostering a love for learning! What to expect in Mary’s classroom: engaging lessons that spark curiosity, inclusive and supportive learning environment, emphasis on critical thinking and creativity and a commitment to student success and growth!  Outside of the classroom, Mary loves a strong iced coffee, playing with her dachshund Lincoln and spending time with family (hopefully by the pool!)

    Education Experience: 10 years

JESSICA SCHMITT

  • Jessica was born and raised in Minnesota where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Middle School Mathematics from Winona State University. In 2019, she moved to Phoenix to complete her student teaching and quickly fell in love with the city. Over the past six years, Jessica has taught primarily upper elementary, where she has built a strong foundation in supporting diverse learners. 

    Outside of school, Jessica enjoys spending time with her wife and their three dogs: a Chihuahua mix, a Border Collie, and a Husky/Pit mix. In her free time, she enjoys playing in dart leagues throughout the week and participating in an adult kickball league on the weekends.

    Education Experience: 6 years

STUDENT SERVICES

YAJAIRA ARRIAGA

  • Yajaira has worked in the South Mountain Community as a reading interventionist, instructional assistant, special education analyst and administrative assistant among other roles for over 15 years. She is currently working towards her national certification for Spanish translations.

    On a personal note, she is a wife, mother of two children and a grandmother of an amazing little girl.

JUWAN MURPHY

  • Hey guys my name is Juwan Murphy born and raised here in Phoenix, Arizona. Teaching and inspiring youth has been a passion of mine for over 10 years. In that time I have worked with the City Of Phoenix at multiple neighborhood parks and community centers with kids of all ages, and even taking on the role of youth counselor. Whether it was teaching, coaching, or just being the ears and voice they sometimes needed during challenging moments in life. These many hats I wear drive me to leave a bigger impact and inspire children on different levels. My goal here at PIA is the same, to be the extra support your child may need and leave an positive impact on them that will assist them in achieving success on their educational journey. Supporting them in anyway possible assisting in making their dreams come true, and showing them how great they are! “The highest human act is to inspire.”

ALEX LUNA

  • Alex is a bilingual, Mexican-American who was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. He graduated from Phoenix College with an Associates in Science in 2019.

    Alex started at PIA during COVID closures in 2020, delivering meals to our families to ensure they never went without food and has worked with us ever since! He’s a foodie, likes to thrift, go to the gym, and enjoys attending music festivals!

TYLER WOOD

  • I’m Tyler Wood. I professionally teach skateboarding to young athletes. I’ve been teaching skateboarding for 6 years. I’ve coached skateboarding at all levels from beginner, intermediate to advanced. I originally started teaching skateboarding to beginners ages 3-10 back in early 2017 at an indoor facility called Kids That Rip in Mesa, Arizona. I’ve learned the core values of being a skateboard coach from the AZPX Local Professional skateboarder and skateboard coach Rich Zuccarello. I continued my coaching journey over at Kids That Rip, Scottsdale from 2019-2022. As of late 2021 I have been coaching privately over at Phoenix international Academy to grades 3-8 as well as coaching privately 1 on 1 at local skateparks. Skateboarding has been a passion of mine since I turned 12. My mother Joan Wood was a Semi-professional skateboarder for cowtown skateboards in the 1990s. Learning from other professionals and local legends has really paved a way in my career path and has taught me how to better myself, mind, balance, and life. Don’t be scared and shred on - Tyler