Meet Your child’s Team
All staff are required to complete the 40-hour training in Applied Behavior Analysis as a Registered Behavior Technician, a 22-hour ABA-based crisis management training, social/emotional professional development, and training in our evidenced-based, standards-aligned curricula.
Administrative team
Ms. Kris, M.S., MFT, M.S.Ed., SEL
Founder, CEO/Executive Director, Certified School Counselor, Positive Behavior Support Specialist, Certified Special Education Teacher, Reading Specialist Kristina@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Tel: 866-620-9380, ext. 1
Kristina has a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy with a speciality in Play Therapy and certificate in Child Trauma from the Harris Institute. She also has a Master of Science in Education is in Transformative Teaching and Learning with a Certificate of Specialization in Social-Emotional Learning, Mindfulness, and Yoga and a certification as a Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator (SEL*F) and in the T.E.A.C.H. Method (trauma-informed teaching). 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, a post-baccalaureate certificate in Special Education, a state certification in School Counseling, and yoga certification to provide “Mindful Movement”. Kristina has completed 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.
Mrs. Bernice, M.S.Ed., SEL
Director of Whole Child Success and School Culture, Certified Special Education Teacher, Reading Specialist, Mindful Movement Instructor Bernice@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Mrs. Bernice holds a Master of Science in Education in Transformative Teaching and Learning with a Certificate of Specialization in Social-Emotional Learning, Mindfulness, and Yoga. She holds a certificate as a Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator (SEL*F) and in the T.E.A.C.H. Method (trauma-informed teaching). Mrs. Bernice has over 25 years experience as a Special Education Teacher. Her expertise is in the Science of Reading and has completed the LETRS Structured Literacy training. She has also been trained in Precision Teaching by the prestigious Morningside Academy. Mrs. Bernice is our Assessment Coordinator and Academic Coach and oversees the collection of performance data that helps our team (and learners) make decisions.
Mrs. Bernice has two grown children with Autism and is passionate about providing quality education to children with disabilities.
Instructional TEAM
Ms. Rendi, Instructor
Rendi@azbreakthroughacademy.org
Ms. Rendi is a former Registered Behavior Technician and brings vast experience in behavior management to the classroom. Ms. Rendi is our “FLEX” (social emotional learning) Manager, helping our team implement this important subject. She is trained in all of the FLEX curricula. Ms. Rendi is also a Precision Teacher, trained by the prestigious Morningside Academy. She is currently enrolled in a dual teaching certification program for both general and special education. Her classroom is filled with fun and collaboration! Ms. Rendi is a mother to a child with multiple disabilities and is dedicated to our field!
Ms. Georgina
Ms. Georgina is currently completing a Master of Education degree in Special Education. She has a Bachelor degree in Art History with a minor in Disability Studies. She has 7 years teaching experience in special education in private, specialized settings. We are happy to welcome Ms. Georgina to our special team! (photo coming soon)
Miss Kallie, certified fit lite reading coach, instructor, behavior tech
Miss Kallie is an engaging and energetic instructor who loves watching learning happen! She currently completing her Bachelors degree in both General and Special Education. Miss Kallie is a Breakthrough alumna and has personal experience with our highly effective curricula. From her experience as a Breakthrough student, Miss Kallie knew she wanted to return to work at our school and help children with learning differences. Our learners love Miss Kallie! We are so proud to have her!
Mr. sam, PE Instructor and behavior tech
Mr. Sam loves working with our learners! He has the most loving heart! He is patient and passionate about teaching the importance of physical self-care and the skill of rule-governed play to our learners. Mr. Sam was one of our first graduates from Breakthrough Academy and uses his first-hand experience with our programs to support our learners.