TEAM
Our team is dedicated to designing for what humans need for growth and flourishing.
Paola Colón Vargas
Interim School Director
I am originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico, but have been fortunate to travel and live throughout Europe and the United States. These experiences have deeply influenced my views on education and helped shape my understanding of what a well-rounded educational journey can look like, one that has ultimately led me to join the Phoenix Modern team. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Portland State University in Oregon and have a Master’s in Elementary Education.
Before stepping into my current role as an Interventionist, I spent eight years in the studio, where I gained valuable experience supporting learners in a creative and student-centered environment. As a lifelong learner, I aspire to travel to every corner of the world and learn from as many people and cultures as possible. Outside the studio, I enjoy supporting California Paws Bull Terrier Rescue by helping transport their pups to their forever homes. I also love exploring new restaurants, visiting art museums, traveling, and attending live concerts.
Charlie Kaplan
Founding Operations Director
I am from Chicago and I like to build things. From electric go-carts in my dorm room to hyper-targeted local advertising campaigns and scalable school systems. My journey in education started five years ago when moved out to Arizona to help build the highest performing high school in Maryvale. With a double major in Economics and Business Management along with a focus in Entrepreneurship from Purdue University, I am excited to be reimagining school with our Phoenix Modern team! I love the challenge of trying new things and exploring new places. When I am not checking items off of a checklist you can find me on a basketball court or out for a bike ride. If you see me riding my bike to work go ahead and honk as you pass by.
Brianna Spadafora
Lead Middle School Guide
Since childhood I have truly loved learning and communicating with others — from playing school with my twin brother and sister, and helping my mom in her own classroom, to exploring communications and sociology in my time at Penn State University. I found my way back to education when I moved to Phoenix in 2013 to teach 6th grade in Maryvale as a Teach For America corps member. In the years since, I have worked with learners in 1st through 6th grade in Maryvale and central Phoenix. My favorite subjects are science and mathematics, but I also love to read, write in my journal, create paintings, and go outside. I believe that humans thrive on connection and communication. Discussing, creating, laughing, and processing together expands our perspectives as we develop within ourselves the empathy we need to make our world great. I am incredibly excited to continue on my journey of lifelong learning, communicating, and perspective taking with the Phoenix Modern team.
Jennifer Hicks
Lead Elementary Guide
I knew I was going to be a educator from a very young age. There are many in the field of education in my extended family and I too felt the call to serve. I started my career shortly after graduating high school. By March 2000 I had found my first job in a preschool setting and began teaching with more traditional approaches. When my youngest son started kindergarten, I went back to school for my formal education. I attended Paradise Valley Community College for my associate’s degree and learned about the Reggio Emilia education project and my whole educational trajectory changed. I began trying out some of the practices I learned, attended professional development at PVCC, continued on to earn my bachelor’s & master’s degrees, and began facilitating adult learning through my roles at PVCC. During this time, I gained field experience in a variety of early learning settings including corporate, non-profit, private, and government funded locations. Through my experience in early childhood classrooms and facilitating learning for adults, a generative energy continued to fuel my love of learning. I am excited to be part of the Phoenix Modern team and share my experience, education, and passion with the community. I bring with me my expertise in emergent curriculum, interdisciplinary approaches, social emotional learning, collaborative facilitation, and trauma-informed care. My goals as a studio guide are to create a safe & comfortable space, create a sense of belonging, to be a co-learner, to be a listener to and an advocate for children, and to curate experiences that challenge thinking and support self-expression. I look forward to learning and growing with Phoenix Modern.
Allison Wear
Art Specialist
Working in the school system in some capacity has been my experience for the past 17 years. I started in public schools as an Early Childhood Special Educator after completing my post-baccalaureate in Early Childhood Education at Arizona State University in 2005. Wanting to weave my B.F.A. in Photography into my career, I took a pause from teaching in 2008 to pursue my graduate degree in Clinical Art Therapy at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. As a licensed family therapist, I worked in several settings in the LA area including outpatient psychiatric programs and therapeutic schools that contracted with LAUSD. Our family found ourselves in Arizona in 2018 and I resumed work in the public school setting; this time with a solid foundation in therapeutic and social emotional practices. Having seen my own child flourish in Phoenix Modern, I knew that this was exactly the type of school I wanted to become a part of. In the classroom, I enjoy weaving art, creativity, play and hands-on learning experiences into the learning process. Outside of the classroom you will find me reading, exploring fun and quirky places, working on my antique mall booth, seeking out vintage clothing, thrift shopping, grabbing coffee and most of all hanging out with my wonderful husband, daughter and our chihuahua, Frito.
Sydney mcnally
Elementary Guide
My name is Miss Sydney and I am from Chicago, Illinois. I have had the desire to be an educator for as long as I can remember! I have taught for 8 years total both at Phoenix Modern and a Chicagoland Green Schools National Network school. My experience in a school with a focus on environmental sustainability, nature, explorative learning, SEL, and place/project-based learning has equipped me with many skills for Phoenix Modern. I have received 93.9 Lite FM’s Salute Teachers Award, and In 2021 I received Illinois State Board of Education’s Outstanding Early Career Educator Award. I graduated from Bradley University in 2017 with an Elementary Education K-9 degree and a concentration in Fine Arts. My passion for the arts has been integrated in my daily guiding, and previously through running a K-8 drama club.
My Favorite activities outside of school include community theater, camping with my sweet cat, and I am a huge Disney lover! I am passionate about the environment, and I am constantly educating myself on best teaching practices. I moved to Arizona for new experiences, adventures, and perspectives, and I am so happy that it led me to Phoenix Modern!
PARIS WELDY
Elementary Guide
My name is Ms. Paris, and I’m originally from Washington State! My passion for working with children began during my eight years as a nanny, which ultimately led me to discover my love for teaching. I moved to Arizona during the pandemic to complete my bachelor’s degree at Grand Canyon University, where I was part of the honor roll program. While in college, I began my teaching journey.
My first year of teaching was at a Title 1 school, a deeply impactful experience that shaped much of my early growth as an educator. After that, I spent three years as a substitute teacher, working with students from kindergarten through eighth grade at more than 50 schools across the Valley. That experience eventually brought me to Phoenix Modern, a place I quickly fell in love with. Now in my third year here, I truly consider it my second home.
Outside the studio, I enjoy spending time outdoors, sewing, and hanging out with my poodle, Pierre. I’m also a passionate traveler who loves exploring new places and trying new experiences. One of my biggest personal passions is sustainable fashion. I spend much of my free time upcycling thrifted clothes and turning them into something new and beautiful, all while working toward a more sustainable future. I’m so excited to share my passions and experiences with our learners, and even more excited to be inspired by theirs.
Demytria Bennett
Health & Wellness Specialist
I hope to inspire and encourage the kids I work with and help them gain the confidence that they can to achieve anything that they set their mind to.
In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my daughter Emery. We enjoy our smoothie Saturdays, hiking and painting. We love watching spooky movies and our favorite nightmare before Christmas.
Paola COLÓN Vargas
Intervention Specialist
Before stepping into my current role as an Interventionist, I spent eight years in the studio, where I gained valuable experience supporting learners in a creative and student-centered environment. As a lifelong learner, I aspire to travel to every corner of the world and learn from as many people and cultures as possible. Outside the studio, I enjoy supporting California Paws Bull Terrier Rescue by helping transport their pups to their forever homes. I also love exploring new restaurants, visiting art museums, traveling, and attending live concerts.
Charlie Kaplan
Founding Operations Director
Brianna Spadafora
Middle School Guide
Jennifer Hicks
Foundations Guide
I knew I was going to be a educator from a very young age. There are many in the field of education in my extended family and I too felt the call to serve. I started my career shortly after graduating high school. By March 2000 I had found my first job in a preschool setting and began teaching with more traditional approaches. When my youngest son started kindergarten, I went back to school for my formal education. I attended Paradise Valley Community College for my associate’s degree and learned about the Reggio Emilia education project and my whole educational trajectory changed. I began trying out some of the practices I learned, attended professional development at PVCC, continued on to earn my bachelor’s & master’s degrees, and began facilitating adult learning through my roles at PVCC. During this time, I gained field experience in a variety of early learning settings including corporate, non-profit, private, and government funded locations. Through my experience in early childhood classrooms and facilitating learning for adults, a generative energy continued to fuel my love of learning. I am excited to be part of the Phoenix Modern team and share my experience, education, and passion with the community. I bring with me my expertise in emergent curriculum, interdisciplinary approaches, social emotional learning, collaborative facilitation, and trauma-informed care. My goals as a studio guide are to create a safe & comfortable space, create a sense of belonging, to be a co-learner, to be a listener to and an advocate for children, and to curate experiences that challenge thinking and support self-expression. I look forward to learning and growing with Phoenix Modern.
Allison Wear
Art Specialist
Sydney Mcnally
Elementary Guide
My name is Miss Sydney and I am from Chicago, Illinois. I have had the desire to be an educator for as long as I can remember! I have taught for 8 years total both at Phoenix Modern and a Chicagoland Green Schools National Network school. My experience in a school with a focus on environmental sustainability, nature, explorative learning, SEL, and place/project-based learning has equipped me with many skills for Phoenix Modern. I have received 93.9 Lite FM’s Salute Teachers Award, and In 2021 I received Illinois State Board of Education’s Outstanding Early Career Educator Award. I graduated from Bradley University in 2017 with an Elementary Education K-9 degree and a concentration in Fine Arts. My passion for the arts has been integrated in my daily guiding, and previously through running a K-8 drama club.
My Favorite activities outside of school include community theater, camping with my sweet cat, and I am a huge Disney lover! I am passionate about the environment, and I am constantly educating myself on best teaching practices. I moved to Arizona for new experiences, adventures, and perspectives, and I am so happy that it led me to Phoenix Modern!
Paris Weldy
Elementary Guide
My name is Ms. Paris, and I’m originally from Washington State! My passion for working with children began during my eight years as a nanny, which ultimately led me to discover my love for teaching. I moved to Arizona during the pandemic to complete my bachelor’s degree at Grand Canyon University, where I was part of the honor roll program. While in college, I began my teaching journey.
My first year of teaching was at a Title 1 school, a deeply impactful experience that shaped much of my early growth as an educator. After that, I spent three years as a substitute teacher, working with students from kindergarten through eighth grade at more than 50 schools across the Valley. That experience eventually brought me to Phoenix Modern, a place I quickly fell in love with. Now in my third year here, I truly consider it my second home.
Outside the studio, I enjoy spending time outdoors, sewing, and hanging out with my poodle, Pierre. I’m also a passionate traveler who loves exploring new places and trying new experiences. One of my biggest personal passions is sustainable fashion. I spend much of my free time upcycling thrifted clothes and turning them into something new and beautiful, all while working toward a more sustainable future. I’m so excited to share my passions and experiences with our learners, and even more excited to be inspired by theirs.
Demytria Bennett
Health & Wellness Specialist
I hope to inspire and encourage the kids I work with and help them gain the confidence that they can to achieve anything that they set their mind to.
In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my daughter Emery. We enjoy our smoothie Saturdays, hiking and painting. We love watching spooky movies and our favorite nightmare before Christmas.
JOIN OUR TEAM
We’re seeking talented individuals who are ready to eagerly support children on their journey.
WHAT IS A GUIDE?
BENEFITS
– Health Insurance
– Central Location
– Flexible Schedule + Time Off
CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS
Hiring New Guides!
At Phoenix Modern, we’re redefining learning for 5-14-year-olds.
Are you ready to drive innovative learning for our next generation? We’re looking for a Socratic Learning Guides who embody passion, creativity, and a commitment to a learner-driven community.
PHOENIX MODERN’S BOARD MEMBERS
Cara Curran
Board Chair
Aaron Harris
Interim Board Vice Chair
Shannon Gallagher
Interim Board Secretary
Larry Curran
Board Member—Finance
Jessica Taylor
Board Member—Academic Liaison
Governing Board Meetings
Notices for the meetings are posted on the front office door of the school (200 E. Mitchell Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85012) as well as on our website homepage at least 24 hours prior to each meeting.
Contact Us
discover@phoenixmodern.org
Student Academic Records
Contact our Registrar
records@phoenixmodern.org
Our Campus
200 E. Mitchell Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Contact Us
Email Us