Special Education

Ms. Troi Rhodes

My name is Troi Rhodes and I am the school psychologist at Desert Sage Elementary. I grew up in the Deer Valley Unified School District and completed my undergrad and graduate programs with the district. I enjoy working with our students and their families, our staff, and the overall community. Desert Sage is like a second home!

Fun fact about me, I love my dogs, sushi, movies, and Target!

Go Geckos!

Ms. Ashley Branson

Hello!

My name is Ms. Branson and I am so excited to welcome you to my classroom! I am a special education teacher here at Desert Sage. I attended Arizona State University, and I was lucky enough to do my student teaching here at Desert Sage. After spending a year with our amazing students, I knew I wanted to stay at Desert Sage, and have been here ever since! I was born in Canada and grew up in Southern California, so I have only been in the Phoenix area for a few years. The heat has definitely taken some getting used to, but I enjoy living here with my cat, Eleanor.

I love finding ways to help students engage and connect with their materials and curriculum, and enjoy getting to see my students grow and thrive as the year goes on!

Mrs. Tonya Flores

Hi!  I’m Tonya Flores!  I’ve been working in education since 2019 when I started substitute teaching.  I have since transitioned into full time teaching working in Special Education.  I have three children that attend DVUSD Schools.  I’m a native to Arizona and enjoy living in the Valley of the Sun.  I love working with students of all abilities and helping everyone achieve their very best.

Ms. Sara Fridley

Greetings and Salutations! My name is Sara Fridley, and I am a Special Education Teacher here at Desert Sage. Please let me introduce myself. 

I moved from Sioux City, Iowa, to Arizona over 30 years ago. I have one daughter who lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her three cats: Elly, Theo, and Mango. I also have three adorable cats - Lily, Poppy, and Tori. I live in Phoenix, Arizona.

I have been a Special Education Teacher for over 28 years, and I have been at Desert Sage for over 22 years. I love working with kids and teaching them to read and write. The looks on their faces when they learn new skills are priceless. 

I believe that all children can learn, and we, as teachers, simply need to determine the most effective way to teach them. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Holman, “Every person is gifted in some area. We just have to find out what.”

Mrs. Teresa Kasher

Hello, 

I am so happy to be part of the Desert Sage Community. I have been a teacher at Desert Sage Elementary for 23 years. I have been an educator for over 30 years. I began my career in Texas and moved to Arizona with my husband and daughter. Our two daughters attended Desert Sage K-6 and we feel it has given them a great educational foundation.

I enjoy working with several grade levels and strive to provide opportunities for my students to be successful. Providing opportunities to make real-life connections is a basis for teaching students how to write effectively. When students progress academically, they begin to view themselves in a positive way.

Mrs. Kayla LaBarr

Hello! 

My name is Kayla LaBarr and I am so excited to be part of the Desert Sage special education team! I am a special education teacher here at Desert Sage, and I graduated from Northern Arizona University in December 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education. 

I have been an Arizona resident my whole life and even spent some of my educational career attending schools in DVUSD. I am a second-generation teacher in my family, as teaching was my mom’s passion, she also taught in DVUSD for 20+ years! I live in North Phoenix with my husband, my son, and my 3 dogs Zoe, Vader, and Weasley! 

I love being a special education teacher and I love to find ways to get students to engage in their learning, however that may look like! I look forward to seeing your child grow and reach their goals throughout the school year!

Ms. Holly Waterman

Ms. Holly has been teaching for 10 years in Developmental Preschool with Deer Valley!  She earned her bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education from Arizona State University, Sun Devils! Ms. Holly was a student within the Deer Valley School District throughout her earlier education, attending Greenbriar Elementary, Legend Springs Elementary, Hillcrest Middle School, and Mountain Ridge High School.

Ms. Holly believes that learning should be hands-on, full of content and rigor, creative, and memorable. She is eager for the school year and all the learning that will take place! Your child will make great strides this year as they enter this classroom. 

Preschool- where the love of learning begins! 

Ms. Michelle Wark

Hello Preschool Families,   

My name is Michelle Wark, and I am so excited to be your child's preschool teacher this year! This is my 5th year at Desert Sage. I have 2 children who went through preschool here in the Peer Model program. We also have 2 dogs, Bash and Sookie. My husband and I have lived locally in the community for about 8 years, and I love working at my neighborhood school! In my free time, I love to cook, garden, and spend time outdoors with my family. 

We have an amazing team here in Developmental Pre-K! Ms. Diana and Ms. Gabbie are the paraprofessionals in my classroom, Mrs. Ronda Horton is our Occupational Therapist, Ms. Lauren Cerza is our Speech and Language Pathologist and Ms. Erin Harper is our Physical Therapist. You can reach them via email if you have specific OT, PT, or Speech questions. The best way to contact me is by email. My phone will not ring during school hours. If you have an emergency or need to pick up your child early, please call the Desert Sage front office at (623) 445-4700. I am looking forward to what I know will be a fantastic school year!

Sincerely, 

Ms. Michelle

Mrs. Lauren Velazquez

Hi! My name is Lauren Velazquez and I am so excited to be your child’s speech therapist this year! It is going to be a great year! I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and moved to the Arizona sunshine four years ago. I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In 2018, I graduated from St. Ambrose University with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I love to golf, cook, spend time with friends and family, and go to Orange Theory Fitness. I have been with DVUSD since 2021.  

Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns via email or phone.  I look forward to working with you and your child on their communicative success!

Mrs. Micaela Watmore

Hi! My name is Micaela Watmore and I am so excited to be your child's speech therapist this year! I graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2020 with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In May of 2025, I graduated with my Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I love to spend time with my friends and family, go hiking, and watch movies. This will be my first year working in the Deer Valley School District. Please reach out if you have any questions!

Mrs. Lisa Liljenquist

My name is Lisa Liljenquist and I am the occupational therapist that primarily works with kindergarten through sixth grade.  In 2008, I  graduated from Midwestern University with a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy. I have been an occupational therapist for Deer Valley Unified School District since 2010.

When I'm not at school, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, cheering on my kids at their dance and sports events, and exploring the great outdoors, especially on hiking trails.  I also have an obsession with finding the best cookies wherever I go, and I particularly love sugar cookies.  

I love being a therapist and helping students find creative ways to accomplish new things.

Mrs. Ronda Horton