Meet Your child’s Team
All staff are required to complete the 40-hour training in Applied Behavior Analysis as a Registered Behavior Technician.
Administrative team
Ms. Kris
Founder, CEO/Executive Director, Reading Specialist, Positive Behavior Support Specialist, Certified Special Education Teacher, Kristina@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Tel: 866-620-9380, ext. 1
Kristina holds a Master’s of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialty in Play Therapy and a certificate in Child Trauma from the Harris Institute. She also holds a post-graduate certificate in Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS)/Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a certificate in Structured Literacy specializing in the treatment of Dyslexia, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Special Education. Kristina has numerous specialized trainings targeted to benefit the learners at Breakthrough Academy including the highly-regarded, intensive Morningside Academy Summer School Institute to study Precision Teaching and Mathetics (from which Direct Instruction is derived). Learn more about our Director here.
Assistant Director & Behavior Specialist, Courtney@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Tel: 866-620-9380, ext. 4
Ms. Courtney holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelors degree in Graphic Design and Fine Art. She also obtained a certificate in ABA and additional training and is a trainer in the therapeutic crisis management program called Quality Behavioral Solutions to Complex Behavior Challenges.
Ms. Courtney has over 10 years experience teaching and utilizing ABA strategies with students with a broad range of needs. Teaching is her passion! She loves making learning fun, engaging, and enriched through activities, learning opportunities, experiments and conversations. She is originally from Boston, MA and has a “big, loud and crazy Irish family!”
Executive Administrative Assistant & Billing Specialist
Leighann@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Tel: 866-620-9380, ext. 3
Mrs. Leigh Ann works hard supporting the operations at Breakthrough! Mrs. Leigh Ann has a passion for helping families with special needs and is a mother of two young adults children who successfully live with learning differences.
Operations Management, Kevin@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Dr. Kevin was born in New Jersey, but has lived in Arizona the past 18 years. He has dual citizenship and passports for the U.S. and Ireland. Dr. Kevin holds an MBA, Master of Divinity, and Ph.D. in Psychology, with research work in the area of Emotional Intelligence. He is dedicated to helping Breakthrough reach as many children and families as possible. Dr. Kevin is a member of the American Psychological Association, Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, as well as the National Association of REALTORS®. His hobbies include reading, golfing, and traveling around the U.S. and Ireland. Most importantly, Dr. Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife, seven adult children, and 15 grandchildren. We are happy to have him on our team!
Mrs. Bernice
Assessment & Special Education Coordinator; Special Education Teacher and Reading Specialist, Bernice@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Mrs. Bernice has over 20 years experience teaching and working with students with disabilities. Her expertise is in the Science of Reading, but she is skilled and talented with all aspects of education. Mrs. Bernice oversees the collection of performance data that helps our team (and learners) make decisions, but she also teaches a Reading Intervention class.
Mrs. Lori
Social Director
Mrs. Lori brings her extensive knowledge gained working in schools and her creativity and fun-loving spirit to our little school! She plans and organizes all of our social events and family get-togethers. She is our “Director of Fun”!
Instructional TEAM
Miss Apoorva “Miss A”, B.Sc., Asst. Behavior Specialist/Instructor (photo coming soon),
Apoorva@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Miss Apoorva hold a Bachelor’s in Psychology and will complete her Master’s degree in Social Work at the end of May 2024. She intends to pass her board exam to become BCaBA shortly and, soon, become a BCBA.
Ms. Farah, Counselor/Instructor (photo coming soon),
Farah@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Ms. Farah hold her Master’s in Social Work and Bachelor’s in Psychology. She is a certified School Counselor and Yoga Teacher, and provides instruction and guidance in social emotional learning and Yoga. She is also an experienced Registered Behavior Technician working with children with disabilities for the last 11 years.
Ms. Reanne, B.S.Sci, Instructor & Reading Specialist,
Reanne@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Ms. Reanne has a Bachelors degree in Behavior Science and has training in ABA, Precision Teaching, and the Lindamood-Bell Reading Intervention program called “LiPS”. Ms. Reanne is our first alumnus of Breakthrough Academy (class of 2014) and we are so proud and lucky to have her! She is talented, creative, and a 3rd degree Black Belt in Karate. In addition to her academic duties, she implements our Karate curriculum!
Ms. Tarrah, Instructor,
Tarrah@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Ms. Tarrah has a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and has seven years of teaching experience as a 5th grade general education teacher. She is a passionate teacher who loves our field and working with our learners! Ms. Tarrah intends to complete her Ph.D. in Special Education and ABA and become a BCBA-D in the near future.
Ms. Rendi, Instructor,
Rendi@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Ms. Rendi is a former Registered Behavior Technician and brings vast experience in behavior management to the classroom. Her classroom is filled with fun and collaboration. Ms. Rendi has been trained in all of the curricula and programs implemented at Breakthrough Academy.
Miss Hunter, Instructor/Behavior Technician,
Hunter@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Miss Hunter has 2 years of teaching experience in a specialized school and four years working with children with disabilities as a Behavior Technician. Miss Hunter brings a strong passion to help our learners and not only loves our learners, she loves being a part of our team! She is bright, positive addition to our little school and we are fortunate to have her!
BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TEAM (in addition to our supportive staff)
Ms. Carla, Registered Behavior Technician
Ms. Carla has two years experience working with children with disabilities and is so excited to be working with our learners.