HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRAR
VISUAL ARTS DIRECTOR
PERFORMING ARTS DIRECTOR
FRONT OFFICE MANAGER
ACADEMIC COORDINATOR
Jaimie Moldt
ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR
LIBRARIAN
KATY FERRELL-CARDENAS - Executive Dean | MEd
On Faculty Since: 2003
Office Hours: By appointment
Katy Ferrell-Cárdenas graduated in Health Education in 1993 from U of A, and joined the Peace Corp for a tour to Sana'a, Yemen. Upon returning, she worked as a community educator for the County Health Dept. In 1996, Mrs. Cárdenas moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where she also worked for five years in private instruction. Mrs. Cárdenas earned three Master's Degrees; Curriculum and Instruction, Education Leadership and Applied Behavior Analysis from ASU and holds Principal Certificate and has passed the State Superintendent exam. Dean Cárdenas has written charters and been a consultant on curriculum development for many Arizona public charter schools and is a passionate supporter of Charter Schools. In 2003, Mrs. Cardenas joined the NSAA organization as Principal for the Middle School, and a full time teaching position. Dean Cárdenas accepted the position of Executive Dean for NSAA in 2006, upon the retirement of its Founder, Dean Caya. Katy teaches high school Algebra 1-2 and is the OCR 504 Accommodation Plan Coordinator.
AMY ABBRUSCATO - Performing Arts Director | BFA
On Faculty Since: 2014
Office Hours: Monday & Thursday 9:00am- 3:00pm
Amy graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Production with an emphasis in Acting. While attending the U of A she completed the rigorous Actor’s Training Program where she focused on American Realism, Chekhov, Shakespeare, Commedia Dell’Arte, Moliere and Restoration acting styles. She is also a certified actor-combatant in rapier and dagger, broadsword, and unarmed by The Society of American Fight Directors. As the Musical Theatre & Acting teacher at NSAA, Amy has directed over 20 productions including Hair, Moon Over Buffalo, A Chorus Line, The Crucible, Chicago, Rumors, Sense & Sensibility, Legally Blonde and many more!
Amy has had over 20 years of dance training in styles such as Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop and more! She performed for several years with the Tucson Regional Ballet Company as a member of their Senior Company. Amy has also trained in voice for over 17 years both privately and as a member of numerous vocal ensembles. As a vocalist, she has more than 20 musicals under her belt and has played such roles as Velma in Chicago, Marta in Company, Cassie in A Chorus Line and Nancy in Oliver.
In addition serving as Performing Arts Coordinator, Amy teaches Musical Theatre and Acting at NSAA. She currently lives in South Tempe with her husband, son & daughter, and adorable pug, Lucy. In her free time she enjoys crafting, cooking, and binging True Crime series.
JO ANNE CRAIG - Faculty & Instructional Director | JD, MEd, BA
On Faculty Since: 2005
Office Hours: Monday & Thursday 3:15-4:00 pm, Lunch by appointment
The 2023-24 school year will mark Jo Anne Craig's eighteenth year with NSAA, teaching both Social Studies and English Language Arts at both the High School and Middle School. This year, she will teach High School World Literature and High School Dual Enrollment Government and APUSH and Dual Enrollment U.S. History. In addition to teaching, she serves as the NSAA Director of Faculty and Instruction. She received her J.D. degree from Wayne State University Law School and a secondary education post-baccalaureate teacher certification from Arizona State University. She graduated in December 2016 with a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University. Mrs. Craig's philosophy for teaching is that every student can learn and reach successful learning outcomes. She provides numerous opportunities for students to succeed through discussion, collaborative group work, Socratic Seminars, critical reading and writing exercises, and art integration. She is also a big proponent of experience-based learning. Mrs. Craig loves to have her students think critically and challenge existing viewpoints. Outside of school, she spends time with her husband, children, and three adorable dogs.
VALERIE CRAIG - Librarian | MLIS
On Faculty Since: 2023
Courses: Librarian, MS Civics
Valerie will serve as the School Librarian and also teach Middle School Civics for the 2023-24 school year. She is an alumni as well as former teacher at the Middle School. She is passionate about lifelong learning and providing equitable access to information. With a strong background in both teaching and librarianship, Valerie brings a unique blend of expertise to create enriching learning environments for students.Valerie obtained a Master's degree in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University, in May 2023. Throughout her masters program she served as the President of the Library and Information Science Student Association. During this time she also participated in the development of a Holocaust Library for the Syracuse Jewish Community Center. Prior to pursuing her Master's degree, Valerie earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and taught Middle School English at NSAA. Combining her knowledge in library and information science with their expertise in education, Valerie hopes to empower students to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers. Her passion for promoting literacy, facilitating research, and cultivating a love for reading makes her an invaluable asset as a school librarian and teacher.
BARBARA DEGRUCCIO - Business Manager
On Faculty Since: 1995
Barbara DeGruccio, Business Manager, has over 20 years experience in budgeting and accounting. She majored in business at Queens College in New York. Ms. DeGruccio's responsibilities include overseeing NSAA's annual budget, teacher & classroom supplies, and building maintenance. Barbara is a parent of an NSAA graduate.
JANE DOWELL - Middle School Parent/Teacher Liaison | BS
On Faculty Since: 2003
Office Hours: Monday & Thursday 3:45-4:30 pm, By appointment
Jane Dowell has been with the middle school since 2003. However, she has been teaching for longer than that. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and a teaching certificate. She has taken the examination required to make her "Highly Qualified" to teach middle school science. She is a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother and grandmother; all roles in which she is all proud to claim, but being a teacher, especially a teacher of science, explains the core of her being. Ever inquisitive she searches to find the unknown and make it known to her students. She is a lover of learning, penguins and space, especially planet Neptune.
KIM LANDINO - Front Office Manager | BS
On Faculty Since: 2023
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Kimberly attended Southern Connecticut State University and received her Bachelor's of Science with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry with Pre-Med studies and then received her Master's of Science in Biology two years later. in 1994, she moved to Arizona and began Naturopathic Medical School in Tempe, Arizona and graduated with a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. She had a wholistic family practice for over 20 years throughout Arizona in: South Phoenix, Tempe, Flagstaff, Sun City and Tuba City on the Navajo Nation. She is retired from her practie and is now focusing on being the Front Office Manager of NSAA. Kimberly has taught anatomy, physiology and pathology at the post high school level. She is a mother of three adult children who graduated from a charter school in Phoenix.
KYLLAN MANEY - Visual Arts Director | BFA
On Faculty Since: 2002
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 12:05-12:35 pm, By appointment
Kyllan Maney works with aspects of nature that draw upon feelings of tranquility, discovery, spirituality and awe when looking closely at plants and objects. This is the visual foundation of Kyllan’s work… rooted in radial patterns, maps, biomorphic shapes, human relationships and inspirations from past and current artists. Kyllan enjoys the inventive, creative process of large- scale murals, mixed media work and drawing.
Kyllan has also been teaching Painting and Mixed Media for over eighteen years at New School for the Arts and Academics in Tempe, Arizona. She has been the Visual Arts Department Director for the past eleven years. She finds that teaching is an ever-evolving process which inspires her artwork. Her education includes an internship at the National Museum of Natural History along with a BFA with a specialization in Painting and Post Baccalaureate classes from Arizona State University.
Throughout the year, Kyllan creates commercial and residential interactive murals and collaborative community art projects and workshops around the valley, including Intel, Paypal, City of Tempe, Danelle Plaza, Downtown Tempe, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Phoenix Art Museum. In 2014, she was recognized as one of 100 Creatives by the New Times publication. Her work can also be seen at Art One Gallery in Scottsdale and Practical Art in Phoenix. Please visit her website- www.kyllanmaney.com for more images.
ALEXANDER MUTSAERS- Assessment Coordinator | BS
On Faculty Since: 2019
Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy
Mr. Mutsaers (Mr. M) has been at NSAA since 2019 and has taught Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy/Physiology, and Environmental Science. He holds a bachelors in biochemistry and has done quality control work in both the beverage and pharmaceutical industries before beginning his teaching career. When not in the classroom, he enjoys writing, tennis, playing music, and being a patron of the arts.
MARTHA PENA - High School Registrar | BA
On Faculty Since: 2007
Office Hours: Daily 12:00-12:30 pm & 2:15-3:00 pm
Martha Terzis teaches Fashion Design I-III. She graduated from the Art Institute of Phoenix with a BA in Fashion Marketing. Before attending the Art Institute of Phoenix she attended Phoenix Community College. Her interests are Art, Photography, Researching current trends, Sewing, and Design. Some her work experience include Visual Merchandising, Photography, and Fashion Design.
JASON SILVA - Exceptional Student Services Director | MEd (Special Education), MEd (Educational Administration)
On Faculty Since: 2017
Office Hours: Daily 10:30-11:30 am
Mr. Silva works in administration as the school Exceptional Student Services Director. Mr. Silva holds a Master’s degree from Arizona State University in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University. In addition to his administrative duties, Mr. Silva also teaches the film workshop class studying great films in the history of cinema, filmmaking techniques, and film analysis. Mr. Silva lives in Tempe with his family and in his free time works as a freelance photographer. Jason also works as an adjunct professor at Northern Arizona University. He teaches courses through the Institute of Human Development in the areas of Exceptional Children in Regular Programs and Methods and Materials in Special Education
LUKE YOUNG - Instructional Coach | MEd, BFA
On Faculty Since: 2012
Office Hours: Tuesday 3:15 - 4:00pm, Wednesday 12:10 - 12:45pm
Luke Young earned his BFA in Theatre Production from the University of Arizona, and his MEd in Instructional leadership from Northcentral University. He completed Rio Salado College's Teacher Preparation Program in 2013 and he is currently finishing a certificate in creative writing from Phoenix College. He has worked for NSAA since 2012. His duties as Instructional Coach include gradebook and report card configuration, mentoring teachers, Commonapp applications and college and career readiness.