Experience The Village: School of Abilities Private School

Carissa Carrillo serves as the Executive Director of The Village: School of Abilities, bringing over seven years of specialized experience in occupational therapy. Her diverse background spans multiple practice settings, including home health, schools, and outpatient clinics, providing her with comprehensive insight into the varied needs of children with special needs and their families.

Driven by a commitment to serve underserved communities, Carissa established her own occupational therapy clinic in Sahuarita. It was through her daily interactions with families at the clinic that the vision for The Village: School of Abilities was born—parents consistently expressed a profound need for educational options that truly understood and supported their children's unique learning profiles.

Carissa's passion centers on providing families with limited options access to a neuro-affirming educational approach. She is dedicated to creating adapted classroom environments and building a team that shares her vision of meeting each child's needs with understanding, acceptance, and excellence. Her leadership ensures that every aspect of the school reflects these core values.

As a mother of three, Carissa brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality moments with her family and cooking, experiences that ground her commitment to creating a school that feels like an extension of home for the students and families she serves.

Erica Romero, Director of Education, brings extensive experience in child welfare and education, having worked in the field since 2015 across diverse settings including local jurisdiction, community agencies, and Native American reservations. Her background encompasses community counseling, prevention models, and the development of cultural parenting curriculum, with a particular focus on culture as a healing protective factor.

In the education field, Erica has served as a substitute teacher, specialist teacher of psychology, and Multi-Tiered Support Specialist. Her transition into education was driven by a deeply personal mission: after witnessing the lack of quality educational services for special needs children, she committed herself to improving outcomes for students, families, and educators alike.

Erica and her husband share a blended family of biological and adopted children, giving her firsthand experience caring for children with various special needs. This personal journey has equipped her with invaluable insight and empathy, enabling her to support other caregivers as they navigate the challenges and joys of parenting children with complex diagnoses.

Erica holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Human Services. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Education, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to professional growth and excellence in serving children and families.

Carrie Nichols is a Lead Teacher & Teacher Mentor with over 25 years of dedicated experience in Early Childhood Development, centers her educational philosophy on a fundamental belief: every child is uniquely created with inherent gifts and abilities that deserve to be recognized, nurtured, and celebrated.

Carrie is committed to meeting each student exactly where they are developmentally. Through thoughtfully designed project-based learning experiences, she creates an inclusive classroom where students of varying abilities work together cooperatively, building academic skills, social connections, and confidence. Her approach seamlessly integrates Arizona state learning standards with vital life skills and moral development, grounding education in faith-based values.

Carrie believes that learning should be joyful, and she embraces the challenge of helping every child discover their own pathway to engagement and success. At The Village: School of Abilities, her vision comes to life daily: a neuro-affirming educational community where differences are honored, potential is unlocked, and every child is empowered to thrive.

Desirae serves as a Lead Teacher who brings nine years of dedicated experience as a paraprofessional and in-home care provider. Her hands-on background working with diverse learners has equipped her with the patience, adaptability, and compassion essential for supporting neurodivergent students in their educational journey.

Desirae's commitment to individualized care and her ability to build meaningful connections with students make her an invaluable part of our educational community. She understands that each child's path is unique and approaches teaching with the flexibility and understanding needed to help every student thrive.

Lisa serves as a Lead Teacher who brings a wealth of teaching experience from both her children's ministry work at church and her previous career endeavors. As a mother of three and grandmother of three, she understands the importance of patience, encouragement, and meeting children where they are in their developmental journey.

Lisa's path to education reflects a lifelong calling—she often reflects that teaching should have been her career from the start, as it truly is her passion. This genuine love for teaching infuses her classroom with warmth and enthusiasm, creating an environment where students feel inspired to learn and grow.

Her diverse background and deep commitment to nurturing young minds make her an integral part of The Village: School of Abilities, where she dedicates herself to helping each student reach their fullest potential.

Bianca brings over 25 years of experience supporting children and families to The Village: School of Abilities. As a passionate advocate for children, she combines expertise, compassion, and intentional care in serving every student.

Bianca's background includes two years of leading a private Christian school and three years as a foster parent, experiences that have deepened her understanding of trauma-informed care and inclusive education. Her commitment to Christ-centered learning honors each child's unique abilities and worth.

Currently, Bianca serves as Co-Director of Children's Ministry at her local church and Spiritual Development Coordinator at The Village: School of Abilities. She supports the spiritual growth of students, staff, and families through grace-filled, relationship-centered practices that reflect Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart."

Married for 30 years to a pastor, Bianca is the proud mother of three and grandmother of three, bringing both professional expertise and heartfelt understanding to her work.

Lahapa serves as Administration Support, bringing valuable expertise in bookkeeping, general accounting, and office management to The Village: School of Abilities. Her organizational skills and attention to detail help ensure that daily operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Lahapa thrives in a team environment and takes pride in supporting both staff and families through her work behind the scenes. Her collaborative spirit and dedication to excellence contribute to the welcoming and well-organized atmosphere that aligns with our school’s values and standards.

Lahapa is a proud grandmother and embraces her newest and absolute favorite title, Tutu, meaning Grandmother in Hawaiian. She brings warmth and a family-centered perspective to everything she does, making her a cherished member of our team.

Tammy serves as a dedicated Teacher Assistant and student support staff member, bringing valuable experience in early childhood education and working with children with disabilities. Her compassionate approach and deep understanding of diverse learning needs make her an essential part of our classroom team.

As a proud mother of three and grandmother of three, Tammy brings a nurturing perspective and genuine warmth to her work with students. Her passion for helping children shines through in her daily interactions, creating a supportive environment where every student feels cared for and encouraged.

Tammy's commitment to supporting both students and lead teachers ensures that each child receives the individualized attention and assistance they need to succeed in the classroom.

Eziel is a dedicated educator at The Village: School of Abilities who brings both personal warmth and professional commitment to his role. As a husband and new father, he deeply understands the importance of creating a nurturing environment where children can thrive. His experiences as a parent have strengthened his resolve to make a meaningful difference in each student's life.

Outside the classroom, Eziel enjoys playing piano, basketball, and reading—pursuits that reflect his belief in lifelong learning and well-rounded development. With experience in youth ministry, he has a genuine passion for working with youth and is committed to being a positive role model through consistency, kindness, and understanding. Eziel's teaching philosophy centers on creating an inclusive environment where students not only achieve academic growth but also build confidence, develop self-respect, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging.

Irann is a dedicated and compassionate Teacher Assistant who brings a deep love for working with children and supporting their growth to The Village: School of Abilities. With over eight years of experience as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), she brings patience, understanding, and consistency to everything she does. She takes pride in building meaningful connections with students and helping them feel safe, supported, and confident in their abilities.

As both an educator and a mother to a wonderful 9-year-old daughter, Irann understands the importance of nurturing each child's individual strengths while encouraging independence and resilience. Her professional experience has strengthened her ability to remain calm, empathetic, and responsive, even in challenging moments. She believes that every child deserves encouragement, kindness, and someone who truly believes in them.

Irann is passionate about being a positive presence in the classroom and supporting both teachers and students. Her goal is to create an environment where children feel motivated to learn, celebrated for their progress, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Raven brings over nine years of experience serving in children's ministry to The Village: School of Abilities, where she is passionate about nurturing faith, character, and confidence in young hearts. As a proud mother of five, including a child with special needs, she offers a compassionate, patient perspective deeply rooted in both professional dedication and personal understanding of inclusive care.

Raven's diverse background includes serving as social media coordinator and business manager for multiple youth football programs, where she supported youth and families through effective communication, organization, and community engagement. Her unique combination of ministry experience, special needs parenting, and organizational leadership makes her a valuable asset to the TVSA community.

Eric is a dedicated and motivated young leader who brings both professional experience and deeply personal insight to his role at The Village: School of Abilities. Currently completing his high school diploma, Eric has gained valuable hands-on experience working with children through Parks and Recreation programs, including Ready, Set, Rec and KIDCO, where he supported group activities and helped create safe, engaging environments.

What sets Eric apart is his meaningful lived experience assisting his parents in caring for his siblings with special needs. This personal journey has cultivated profound patience, empathy, and a strong understanding of individualized support and inclusion. Eric's leadership extends through coaching T-ball and assisting with church events, consistently demonstrating teamwork and a servant's heart. He brings energy, compassion, and a positive attitude to The Village: School of Abilities, making him an invaluable team member who truly understands the mission of meeting every student where they are.

Raymond brings a unique blend of professional experience, servant leadership, and heartfelt dedication to The Village: School of Abilities. With over 13 years of fostering experience, Raymond has devoted his life to supporting and nurturing children, including those with special needs, with patience, consistency, and compassion.

As a dedicated father raising children with special needs, Raymond possesses deep, lived experience in advocacy, caregiving, and understanding the individualized supports children require to thrive. His background includes working as a teacher's aide in a daycare center, strengthening his ability to support students in structured and caring environments.

Raymond's professional journey also includes 18 years in commercial floor care, where he advanced to a supervisory role overseeing facility operations across Arizona. His leadership experience in managing teams and maintaining safe, high-standard environments directly supports his commitment to student safety and well-being.

Guided by his faith and the Holy Spirit, Raymond retired to become a full-time caregiver for his children with special needs, and later felt called to serve at The Village: School of Abilities. He brings a servant's heart, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment to creating a Christ-centered environment where every child is valued.

Abby serves as a valued substitute teacher at The Village: School of Abilities. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Christian Education and brings more than 25 years of experience in education, including roles as a classroom teacher, paraprofessional, homeschool instructor, and children's ministry director. Abby is passionate about serving students in light of how God uniquely created them and is dedicated to encouraging their growth in ability, independence, and giftedness.

As the parent of a child with special needs, Abby offers families and students a compassionate, understanding perspective shaped by both professional experience and personal insight. Her dual background as an educator and a special needs parent allows her to connect authentically with students and families, creating an environment of genuine empathy and support.

Outside of school, Abby enjoys mentoring, baking, walking, and assisting her husband with his remodeling business.

Serena holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and brings a diverse background in education, case management, and supportive services to The Village: School of Abilities. She has worked extensively with students with special needs at the high school level, focusing on life skills development and individualized support to help students thrive both academically and personally.

Serena's experience extends to working closely with foster and adoptive children with special needs, deepening her understanding of trauma-informed care and family-centered support. Her professional background also includes serving as a case manager for individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), working with high-needs and re-entry populations, and providing administrative support in fast-paced environments.

Serena is passionate about advocacy, empowerment, and meeting individuals where they are to help them reach their full potential. Her commitment to student-centered education reflects the belief that every child deserves personalized support to succeed.

Outside of her professional work, Serena enjoys photography as a creative outlet, using it to capture meaningful moments and express storytelling through visual art.

Daniella is a dedicated speech therapy professional and school counselor who brings a unique dual perspective to supporting students of all abilities at The Village School of Abilities. With a Bachelor's degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences and a Master's degree in Counseling, she is uniquely equipped to address students' needs through both communication development and social-emotional wellness.

As a Speech Pathology Assistant with Sahuarita Speech Spot, Daniella collaborates closely with licensed speech-language pathologists to support students in developing critical communication, language, articulation, and social skills. In her role as School Counselor, she focuses on nurturing students' emotional well-being, building confidence, and fostering overall personal growth.

This combined background allows Daniella to take a holistic, student-centered approach to education. She is committed to creating an inclusive environment where every student feels genuinely supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. Her passion for working with neurodivergent learners ensures that each child receives the comprehensive support they need to thrive both academically and emotionally.

Rebekah serves as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, bringing five years of dedicated experience in pediatric occupational therapy to The Village: School of Abilities. Her passion for this work grows deeper each day as she witnesses the progress and achievements of the students she serves.

Rebekah is a strong advocate for children and families, committed to helping each child reach an optimal level of independence and develop a strong sense of self. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in understanding each student's unique needs and empowering them with the skills and confidence to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Outside of her professional life, Rebekah enjoys spending quality time with family, reading, cooking, and following MMA, pursuits that reflect her well-rounded perspective and energetic approach to life.