At Autism Journey Academy, our strength lies in the passion, expertise, and heart of our team. Each member of our team brings unique experience and dedication to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
Get to know the people who make our mission possible.
With over five years of experience working in special education schools, Chalani is deeply committed to supporting children with autism and celebrating every milestone along their journey.
She is completing her degree in Psychology with a focus on Child and Adolescent Development and brings both academic knowledge and personal insight as a mother of a young daughter. Her experience as a parent has only strengthened her passion for helping children with autism grow, learn, and thrive in environments tailored to their needs.
Shari’s path in education began with a mother’s desire to create the best opportunities for her own two children. Six years ago, she and her husband opened a private school that served both their children and community. While the experience was meaningful, she realized the model didn’t meet the needs of neurodivergent learners.
That realization deepened her commitment to creating environments where all children can succeed. Partnering with Donna to open Autism Journey Academy was a natural next step, and today, Shari is proud to be part of a mission that empowers children to learn, grow, and thrive in their own unique way.
Thalia is a dedicated special education teacher passionate about creating inclusive, engaging learning experiences for neurodivergent learners. With expertise in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiated instruction, and multisensory strategies, she designs classrooms that honor every child’s strengths while supporting their growth.
Her background includes leading multi-age moderate-to-severe high school classrooms, working as a behavioral technician supporting non-verbal students with assistive technology, and serving as a 1:1 interventionist helping children build confidence and life skills in real-world settings.
As a former Site Director of BLAST (Building Lasting Success Together), she developed experiential social skills programs for youth ages 5–24, incorporating parent partnerships, staff training, and community collaboration.
Grounded in empathy, evidence-based practice, and a strong belief in every child’s potential, Thalia brings clarity, compassion, and dedication to the Autism Journey Academy team.
At Autism Journey Academy, we believe every child deserves an education that respects their individuality, nurtures their strengths, and empowers them to achieve their full potential. Our team is here to support your child every step of the way.
Enrollment is now open!
We accept Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds. Our team is happy to assist families with the ESA application process to make tuition more accessible.
To get started, please call us today or schedule a pre-enrollment discussion.
