Mission:
AZSA presumes competence in nonspeaking, minimally and unreliably speaking individuals, providing access to age appropriate academics with a focus on spelling methods. We will provide a safe and fun environment for students to build social connections.
Vision:
Spellers at AZSA will have a well-rounded education and the opportunities they deserve.
Administration and Staff
Daniel Stone, B.A., M.S.
CEO and Executive Director of AZSA
Daniel is a father of four children, one of whom is a speller. He has a B.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language and an MS in Biostatistics. He spent 18 years as an educator in various roles including teacher, mentor and lead teacher, middle school manager, and instructional coach. He has completed the practitioner training for Spelling to Communicate through I-ASC and is a Spellers Method trained practitioner. Daniel is dedicated to building a school where spellers can learn appropriate and challenging curriculum in an environment where neurodiversity and motor challenges are understood and embraced.
Matthew A. Thorne, B.A.
Operations Director
Matthew has been in the financial sector with real estate for the last 25 years. As a father of a nonspeaking child, his experiences over the last several years have helped him come to understand the great importance for a school of this nature. A driving goal for him is to help develop opporunities for more nonspeaking children in our community. He is committed to leveraging his expertise to support and advance the mission of AZSA, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate community for individuals and their families.
Brianna Esparza, Spelling Coordinator Assistant
Brianna Esparza brings over 10 years of experience working with a non-speaker who is now a Speller, an experience that inspired her to support his journey and the journeys of others—ultimately leading her to Arizona Spellers’ Academy. She has partnered with homeschool teachers as a provider, collaborating to create an individualized learning plan. Brianna finds AZSA unique in its commitment to presuming competence and dedicating itself to supporting each student’s individual needs with openness. She is excited to witness students’ voices emerge and feels honored to be a part of an environment that embraces and supports every student.
Rachel Brooks, Middle and High School Science and English Teacher
Rachel brings over 23 years of experience in education to her role at Arizona Speller’s Academy, where she serves as our middle and high school Science and English teacher. Throughout her career, Rachel has been dedicated to working with differently abled and non-speaking individuals, always guided by her belief in meeting students exactly where they are and presuming competence in every learner. Rachel is passionate about creating inclusive and engaging learning environments where each student is respected and valued.
Tori Chance, Middle and High School Social Studies and Math Teacher
Tori began her experience working with students with special needs while in high school, and during her college years, she began working closely with non-speaking individuals. Tori earned her Bachelor’s degree in History, followed by a Master’s degree in Secondary Education for grades 6–12. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong passion for supporting individuals with special needs and helping them discover their strengths and abilities. She especially enjoys creating meaningful learning experiences and encouraging students to grow toward their fullest potential. Tori is very grateful for the opportunity to continue working in a field that she truly cares about and making a positive difference in the lives of her students.
Marisa Millette, Elementary Teacher
Marisa’s passion for working with non-speakers began in a daycare setting, where she worked closely with a child who was non-speaking. That experience opened her eyes to the many ways children communicate beyond spoken language and inspired her to continue working with children of all abilities. Over the years, Marisa has gained experience in a variety of childcare and educational settings, building strong connections with the children she supports. Marisa graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in addiction and substance use. She is now an elementary teacher at Arizona Spellers Academy, where she works with non-speaking students who communicate through spelling. Since joining AZSA, she has loved getting to know her students as individuals and seeing their personalities, abilities, and ideas come through in the classroom. She especially values creating an environment where her students feel understood, supported, and encouraged to express themselves. Marisa is excited to continue growing as an educator while helping her students build confidence, independence, and a strong sense of their own voice.
Emily Saijas, TA
Though new to working with AZSA and children that are non-speaking, Emily has experience in positions like Daycare Counselor and a CNA where student or patient care is primary. Upon landing a position that was so new to her she ended up falling in love with the school and the kids and is forever grateful because she feels she has found where her career path begins. Emily is excited to see spellers grow and to grow with AZSA, and she cannot wait to see all spellers succeed.
Aubri Knight, TA
Aubri has four years of experience as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), working in a variety of settings with non-speaking individuals. Through these experiences, she has developed a deep appreciation for the many ways people communicate, learn, and express themselves, and her work with spellers at AZSA has further strengthened her passion for supporting meaningful communication and connection. At the heart of Aubri’s work is the belief that every individual deserves to feel understood, valued, and included. She is excited to continue to grow professionally at AZSA while making a positive difference in the lives of spellers and families she works alongside.
Natalya Rodriguez, TA
Natalya Rodriguez’s passion for working with children inspired her to join Arizona Spellers’ Academy. With previous daycare experience and currently pursuing a degree in elementary education, she brings enthusiasm and compassion to her role. Although new to working with spellers, Natalya is excited to witness their progress, celebrate their achievements, and create a positive, supportive environment where every student feels valued and empowered.
Blue Hernandez, TA
Blue Hernandez began working with non-speakers and children with special needs in 2024, at a private school for students with special needs and emotional disabilities. Working with and forming close bonds with non-speakers helped Blue realize how important it is to strive to understand them, give non-speakers a voice and to listen to them. Blue worked as a TSS, and as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) before joining Arizona Spellers’ Academy.
Board Members
Melissa Stone, B.A., AT-ACP
Melissa works with Daniel to raise 4 amazing kids, one being a speller. She has been working with students who spell to communicate since 2020. She has a B.A. in Bible Exposition, worked as a disability ministry coordinator and is the current founder and owner of a spelling clinic in Mesa, AZ. She completed her practitioner training through I-ASC in 2022. She currently teaches and works as a practitioner with the national spelling organization, Spellers, to get families started on their spelling journey. She is passionate to see students gain an age appropriate academic experience in AZ where everyone fits!
Michele Thorne, M.S. C.A.S.
Chief Financial Officer
Michele is an autistic woman, the mother of two autistic children, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Care 4 the Caregivers, and Founder of Know It All Books. Michele's non-speaking son is a speller and the lack of support for spellers in the public school system motivated her to get involved with the Arizona Spellers' Academy. Michele is a Certified Autism Specialist, a Protective Factors Training, a Flourishing Families Practitioner, and a Stepping Stones Triple P Practitioner. She has participated in the Arizona Foundation for Women SHE Leads! and the Pilot Parents AZ Partner in Leadership Advocacy Training Programs.
Angela Rico, B.A.
Angela is a mother of two creative children, one of whom is a speller. She has a B.A. in Psychology; she focused the first few years of her career serving the public, holding positions at the Department of Economic Security and Maricopa County Department of Public Health, eventually transitioning to the sales in the bank industry. Angela aims to create a place where Spellers feel welcome, understood and appreciated for who they truly are. Her goal is to create more acceptance in our community while creating opportunities and securing a bright future for our kids. Angela’s interest in supporting this community stems from the perseverance and kindness she has observed among the young Spellers at the school.