About

Carole’s work has focused on supporting children with a variety of speech and language needs throughout her professional career in both public schools and outpatient clinical settings.

A clinical faculty member in the Department of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of AZ since 2007, she has served as the Center’s Director since 2017.

“I am privileged to lead this team of professionals, who know that every child has something important to say and are committed, every day, to helping them say it.”

At Wings on Words since 2010, Amy is currently the Lead Teacher in the Toddler classroom, where she demonstrates an extraordinary connection with our youngest children every day.

She has previously worked in public-school special education classrooms as a mentor for charter schoolteachers PreK- 2nd grade, and currently participates in two ECE Communities of Practice, Inspire Inclusion and Project Best

“Teaching toddlers is like seeing the world through fresh eyes – every day is new and magical.”

At Wings on Words since 2011, Naomi is dedicated to instilling in children a love for learning through environmental and explorative play. She began her work at Wings on Words as a parent volunteer, so knows, first-hand, the value that a foundation of language and literacy-based learning can bring to a child’s life.

She is working to finish a degree in early childhood education and participates in the early childhood communities of practice, Inspire & Inclusion and Great Expectations. She is also participating in the Story Project at Make Way for Books.

“When you lovingly guide children through play, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Amber is a natural communication facilitator who instills a love of learning through explorative play with our youngest children in the toddler room.

She brings experience from exceptional education classrooms, along with her experience as an enrichment instructor for 21st Century Community Learners.

Amber is completing coursework in early childhood education, and communication disorders to obtain certification as Speech Language Pathology Assistant.

She also participates in the early childhood community of practice, Inspire Inclusion.

“I believe that relationships are the container in which we create growth and change.”

Since 2016, Adriana has served as an Instructional Aide and Instructional Specialist at Wings on Words. Formerly, she worked for Child Parent Centers, Head Start. She now proudly leads our team of early childhood educators and is passionately committed to supporting WOW’s bilingual community.

She earned her BA in Spanish with a minor in education at The University of Arizona and participates in the early childhood community of practice, Project Best.

“Embrace your culture and speak your language proudly with your children!”

Michele has been a dedicated teacher and team leader at WOW for 18 amazing years.

An expert preschool teacher, she generously supports learning for children and families by modeling, mentoring, and practicing effective communication and behavior strategies with kindness and humor.

Michele has completed over a thousand hours of continuing education in early childhood development and teaching practices and participates in the early childhood community of practice, Raising Resilience.

“Look for children’s progress not perfection.”

Bessie began work at WOW in 2018, bringing 8 years of solid experience in early childhood education with her. Using good humor and grace, she is dedicated to the consistent and reliable practice of sound learning principles for young children.

Bessie began working in the field of early childhood after working as a Systems Analyst for 15 years. She earned her undergraduate degree and MBA from Drexel University. She currently participates in the early childhood community of practice, Raising Resilience.

“At the end of the day, when your child arrives home with a smile on his face and dirt all over his clothes, you know learning happened.”

Our outstanding pediatric SLP, Kristin, began working at WOW in 2019. She brings extensive experience with a wide variety of childhood speech and language disorders from distinguished programs in New York and Arizona. These include St. Francis Hospital Preschool Program, Carriage House Preschool Program, Arlington Central School District and AZ State School for the Deaf and Blind.

Kristin attended State University of New York College at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz), where she received a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, and a Master of Science in Communication Disorders. A licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in AZ and NY, she earned ASHA’s ACE Award for Continuing Education in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020 & twice in 2021.

“Relationships provide the foundation for engagement, communication, and learning.”

Originally from Los Angeles, Miguel joined the Wings on Words team in 2021. He began his work in early childhood education as an Instructional Aide at a Waldorf preschool in California.

Miguel studied early childhood education at Los Angeles City College, then earned a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders at California State University Fullerton. He will soon be certified as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.

“The best way to do great work is to love what you do.”

One of WOW’s newest teachers, Sarah, brings many years of teaching experience from her work at Child-Parent Centers, Headstart and a private parochial school. She has a true passion for working with young learners and strives to create a classroom community that nurtures growth in a positive, fun environment.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and Prescott College. She currently participates in the early childhood community of practice, Raising Resilience.

“A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart.”

Cassie began working at WOW as a parent volunteer, and quickly became an invaluable member of our school team. As Admin Asst, she has served at the school’s hub for the past 4 years. Her amazing organizational skills and positive attitude help keep the WOW community – staff and families – connected and moving forward.

Cassie formerly worked in independent restaurants and with Marriott, Inc. cooking and traveling within the US. She has a degree in Restaurant Management from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland, Oregon (formerly known as Western Culinary Institute-Le Cordon Bleu).

“The beauty in seeing the world through children’s eyes is they show us who we should be.”

Originally from Mesa, AZ, Octavio is one of our newest team members. His passion for language and helping people communicate began at an early age when he frequently served as a translator and interpreter for his immigrant parents.

He has earned two undergraduate degrees from the University of AZ (Linguistics & Communication) and has been a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant since 2017.

“I always strive to meet children, all people, where they are at and help them towards success.”

Candy has been an outstanding teacher at WOW for over 18 extraordinary years! She has made significant and valuable contributions to early childhood education not just at WOW, but in Southern AZ and across the globe: she co-produced a wellness education instructional video in 2011 viewed throughout the world, and, has been recognized and honored numerous times for her work in early childhood education by the Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children, the University of AZ College of Science (Staff Excellence Award), and the UA Department of Speech Language and Hearing Sciences (service award).

Candy holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Northern Arizona University.

“Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning.”

Erika is working at Wings on Words while completing a bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) at The University of Arizona.

She brings excellent experience from the Easterseals Blake Foundation’s Children’s Achievement Center, where she earned a center-based Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate credential. She has also served as an undergraduate research assistant at UA SLHS focusing on working memory skills in young children and speech sound disorders in Spanish-English speaking preschoolers.

“It takes a big heart to shape little minds”

Alejandra is one of our new team members. Her passion for helping young children develop speech and language skills was propelled at Wings on Words as an independent study student during her senior year of college, and, later as a substitute in our classrooms. She also acquired excellent work experience at St. Thomas Preschool while simultaneously completing her sophomore and junior years.

Alejandra recently earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences at The University of Arizona and will soon be a certified Speech Language Pathology Assistant.