TEAM
Our team is dedicated to designing for what humans need for growth and flourishing.
Andrew Collins
Founding School Director
Jessica Taylor
Founding Lead Guide/Middle School Guide
Charlie Kaplan
Founding Operations Director
Brianna Spadafora
Co-School Director
Alison Stevenson
Co-School Director
kiara Johansen
Special Education Director
Allison Wear
Lead Foundations Guide
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.
McKaela Christensen
Art Specialist
Jameg Campbell
Movement, Health & Wellness Specialist
I’m originally from New York City (the big apple) a place where the winters are cold and the summer are pretty hot and humid. I have always had a love for coaching and mentoring the youth. Playing team sports as a youth taught me discipline, structure, and accountability on and off the court, which enhanced my passionate to teach. While in NYC, I had the opportunity to work with the Harlem Children’s Zone for over 15 years. This organization helped members of the community with after-school studies, free dinners, teams sports and above all a healthy environment. I recently moved to Phoenix in search of hot blistering summers, scorpions, and mild winters (HA, HA, HA,). My quirkiness might be a little corny but I hope to bring a sense of energy, excitement, and awareness of the health world.
Lola Colón Vargas
Lead Elementary Guide
I am originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico but have been fortunate enough to travel and live all over Europe and the United States. This constant movement has shaped my perspective on education and what the path to a well-rounded education looks like, a path that has led me to join the Phoenix Modern team. I received my bachelor’s from Portland State University in Oregon and recently completed my Masters in Elementary Education. As a lifelong learner, I aspire to travel to every corner of the world and learn from as many people as possible. When I am not in the classroom you can find me enjoying time with my English Bull Terrier named Zeus, traveling, or at a concert. I also enjoy going to art museums and trying new restaurants.
Dionne Snively
Elementary Guide
Sydney mcnally
Elementary Guide
Suryea Leal
Learning Interventionist Guide
As a kid, my favorite game to play with my younger sister was “school”. I always had to be the teacher! It would be several years before I became an actual teacher with many job experiences between. In every position that I’ve held, there is an element of service. I have a heart for helping others and it is where I find my greatest joy. About 15 years ago, I began my journey as an educator. Since then, I’ve earned a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in Reading, and an SEI endorsement. I’ve taught K-6, I was a curriculum coach for K-12, a Title I coordinator, and a reading interventionist. Outside of school, you’ll find me traveling with my husband and dog as often as possible. We love to explore new places together and stay physically active.
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.
Andrew Collins
Founding School Director
Jessica Taylor
Founding Lead Guide/Middle School Guide
Charlie Kaplan
Founding Operations Director
Brianna Spadafora
Co-School Director
Allison Wear
Lead Foundations Guide
Jameg Campbell
Movement, Health & Wellness Specialist
I’m originally from New York City (the big apple) a place where the winters are cold and the summer are pretty hot and humid. I have always had a love for coaching and mentoring the youth. Playing team sports as a youth taught me discipline, structure, and accountability on and off the court, which enhanced my passionate to teach. While in NYC, I had the opportunity to work with the Harlem Children’s Zone for over 15 years. This organization helped members of the community with after-school studies, free dinners, teams sports and above all a healthy environment. I recently moved to Phoenix in search of hot blistering summers, scorpions, and mild winters (HA, HA, HA,). My quirkiness might be a little corny but I hope to bring a sense of energy, excitement, and awareness of the health world.
Lola COLÓN Vargas
Lead Elementary Guide
Kiara Johansen
Special Education Director
McKaela Christensen
Art Specialist
Having grown up living in various places across the globe, I’ve embraced the wonders of diverse cultures and nurtured an insatiable passion for learning. College brought me to Arizona, where I explored subjects ranging from architecture to astrobiology to ornithology. The jobs I took leading up to graduating fueled my passion for teaching and sharing knowledge. I believe in creating magical learning environments, inspired by joy and motivated by the desire to see dreams become reality. Every child is an artist whether they believe it or not, and my goal is to help as many as possible realize the potential they have within themselves. Art remains my constant companion since childhood, with sketching and creative pursuits filling my free time. After all, I come from a family of artists and have been learning how to draw, paint, knit, and the like since before I could even say the words. Reading, writing, and wildlife photography are my weekend joys, but I love to challenge myself to learn new art styles and techniques whenever I can.
Dionne Snively
Elementary Guide
Sydney Mcnally
Elementary Guide
Allison Wear
Lead Foundations 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.
Suryea Leal
Learning Intervention Guide
As a kid, my favorite game to play with my younger sister was “school”. I always had to be the teacher! It would be several years before I became an actual teacher with many job experiences between. In every position that I’ve held, there is an element of service. I have a heart for helping others and it is where I find my greatest joy. About 15 years ago, I began my journey as an educator. Since then, I’ve earned a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in Reading, and an SEI endorsement. I’ve taught K-6, I was a curriculum coach for K-12, a Title I coordinator, and a reading interventionist. Outside of school, you’ll find me traveling with my husband and dog as often as possible. We love to explore new places together and stay physically active.
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
PHOENIX MODERN’S BOARD MEMBERS
- Andrew Collins, Co-Founder/CEO, New Learning Ventures, Inc; Founding Director, Phoenix Modern
- Eva Shivers, Founder/Director, Indigo Cultural Center, Inc.; Director, Institute for Child Development Research & Social Change
- Kevin Kemper, CEO/Co-Owner of Bird Dog Produce and Fresh Produce Logistics
- Hope Parker; Founder, Giving Hope
- Tina Sweis, Founder, Overachieving Women Association; Consultant, Social Impact Investing Consultant
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.
Our Campus
200 E. Mitchell Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Our Campus
200 E. Mitchell Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85012