The mission of LISA is to enrich the educational experience of low-income, public-school students in the Verde Valley by providing aid directly to students, and indirectly to schools. LISA works to bridge the gap between traditionally available forms of aid and a variety of student needs which impact educational success, holistic student health, inclusion, and self-esteem.
Our Values
Student-Centric
Students are at the core of the decisions we make and the actions we take.
Inclusion
We provide students, who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, with equal access to opportunities and resources.
Community
We collaborate and build community through partnerships founded on integrity and trust.
Transparency
We value being open and honest in our relationships and interactions.
Empathy
We strive to recognize and understand the perspectives, feelings and lived experiences of others and to give one another grace.
Student-Centered Giving
We work closely with schools, teachers and community leaders to understand the needs of children in our community.
We then act quickly and efficiently to fill gaps for students, aiming to give them the same opportunities as their peers.
Impactful relations
Our solid relationship with our schools allow LISA to provide funding for after-school programs and clubs. The Arizona Community Foundation, SingleTrack Futures Foundation along with the Burton Family Foundation are valued funding partners who help LISA provide opportunities to many families.
Years of experience
LISA filled our first aid request in April of 2018. Since that time, we have dramatically expanded our reach and impact for students.
An integral part of our growth can be directly attributed to our expanding team of board members and community volunteers. This group of educators and community leaders bring a collective knowledge and experience level that we believe is second to none. OK…we might be a little partial!
Rapid and responsive action
LISA provides prompt and sensitive action to fill direct aid to students. Within 3-4 days of receiving an aid request, our team will have begun the process of qualifying the request and completing fulfillment.
Passionate – Dedicated – Professional
Meet Our Team
Kelcy Lyons B.Ed.
President
Kelcy Lyons B.Ed.
LISA President, MUHS and OCS Aid Committee Member, and Founding Board Member
Mrs. Lyons grew up in the Verde Valley and attended Oak Creek School and Mingus Union High School. After high school, she attended Yavapai Community College and then went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Education from University of Phoenix. Mrs. Lyons has been teaching Mathematics for 12 years, the last 6 years at MUHS. She is the Student Council Advisor and Leadership teacher. Mrs. Lyons was named the 2023 Yavapai County Champion of Education from Mingus Union High School. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and they have three children. Kelcy Lyons and her husband Travis are also founders of the Yavapai County Junior Rodeo Association (YCJRA), a local nonprofit that promotes rodeo and the preservation of the western way of life by providing opportunities for rodeo youth in Yavapai County.
Lyndsay Ludden NBCT, M.A.
Vice President
Lyndsay Ludden NBCT, M.A.
LISA Vice President, OCS Aid Committee, and Founding Board Member
Mrs. Ludden has been an educator for 18 years. She started her career in the Washington Elementary School District and now teaches Agriculture at Oak Creek School in Cornville. She holds a National Boards Certification in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Education. Mrs. Ludden is the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Agriculture Coordinator and owns a small farm in Cornville. In her spare time she enjoys growing her own food, being outside, cooking, reading, and bowling.
Chelsea Araujo, B.A.
Secretary
Chelsea Araujo, B.A.
Mrs. Araujo was born in Flagstaff and raised in Cornville, Arizona, where she resides today. She attended Oak Creek School, Mingus Union High School, and went on to get her bachelors degree at Arizona State University. She has worked in the accounting/payables field for over 15 years. She was an escrow officer before working as secretary at Oak Creek School for the last 3 years. She has an amazing family, including her husband, two sons, and a daughter. Mrs. Araujo enjoys spending time at the lake, camping, 4-wheeling, and spending time with her extended family, friends and pets. She feels particularly close to LISA, as her roots run deep in this area. She is honored to be able to sit on the board and try to make a difference in our community.
Jeanna Mandeville B.S.
Program Manager
Jeanna Mandeville B.S.
Eric Wyles
Founder, Treasurer
Eric Wyles
Board Members
Board Member and Founding Board Member/Original Incorporator
Mr. Alvey is a 4th generation resident of the Verde Valley. He has been a local business owner since 1975. Mr. Alvey is also the Director of the Cornville Community Association.
Board Member and Founding Board Member/Original Incorporator
Ms. Valenzuela has lived in Cornville, Arizona since 1970. She holds bachelors and masters degrees in education from Northern Arizona University and also Education Leadership. She has worked for the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District as a first grade teacher and Assistant Principal until her retirement. Ms. Valenzuela serves on the school board and understands the role of the governing board and works hard to balance the needs of students, parents, staff, and the taxpayer.
Volunteer Fundraising Chair, Board Member
Mrs. Pefanis was born and raised in North Dakota. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Business Administration degree from the University of Minnesota, she moved to Alaska to work for a family-owned car dealership. There she became the first female Toyota service manager in the United States. Mrs. Pefanis moved with her family to Arizona where she earned her post baccalaureate teaching certificate to become a substitute in the Chandler school district. She has volunteered to help several non-profits set up online bookkeeping systems over the years, including LISA. She and her husband, Dean, are active in the Verde Valley, supporting and serving their church as well as a variety of charitable organizations. They currently have a home in Cornville where they love to spend time with friends and family.
Board Member
Mrs. Clemson is an Arizona native with 30 years of teaching experience. She has taught in both private and public schools in 2nd through 8th grade, as an adjunct instructor for Grand Canyon University, and an 8th grade Math Teacher for Arizona Virtual Academy. She earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary and Special Educations with an emphasis in learning disabilities. She also holds both a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in teacher leadership and a Master of Science in Psychology from Grand Canyon University. Mrs. Clemson especially enjoys teaching math and science while focusing on inquiry, problem solving, and reasoning. Her strengths are creating a collaborative community of learners and using questioning and classroom discourse to develop student’s conceptual understanding and fluency. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family. She especially enjoys walks in the mountains or on the beach.
Principal, Special Advisor – Oak Creek School (OCS)
Mrs. Tatum was born in Phoenix, Arizona and moved to the Verde Valley when she was 8 years old. She attended West Sedona School and Sedona Red Rock High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Education at the University of Arizona and her masters degree in Administration at Grand Canyon University. Mrs. Tatum has been in education for 13 years and LOVES what she does. She has taught 1st and 2nd grades and took on the role of principal last year. Mrs. Tatum enjoys the relationships formed with students and families and loves that she is making an impact in our community. She has 3 beautiful daughters and loves cooking, reading, traveling, and hanging out with her family.
Volunteers
Principal, Special Advisor – Cottonwood Community School (CCS)
Mrs. Wacker has taught in the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District for 21 years. She has taught kindergarten, 8th grade science, 7th grade social studies and 6th-8th grade Positive Adolescent Choices and was the College and Career Readiness Coach for COCSD. Before becoming principal, she was the assistant principal and athletic director for CCS. Mrs. Wacker was born in Cottonwood, Arizona and attended Oak Creek School and Mingus Union High School. She has an associates degree from Arizona Western College, a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northern Arizona University and a masters degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University. She has coached sports like softball and volleyball for the past 20 years at all levels. She enjoys watching and refereeing basketball, hiking and spending time with her family.
Mr. Swenson has been teaching in the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District since the fall of 2001. Mr. Swenson currently teaches 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies at CCS. He is a graduate of Mingus Union High School and Northern Arizona University. In addition to teaching, he serves as the CCS Student Council advisor while coaching boy’s Basketball and co-ed Soccer. Mr. Swenson loves writing short stories about his childhood and is a big fan of the outdoors, Minnesota Twins baseball, and Gonzaga basketball.
Mrs. Zale graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She then continued taking classes at NAU and earned her Masters degree. She has been teaching for 32 years and holds endorsements for Early Childhood and Structured English Immersion as well as a Reading Specialist Certificate. Mrs. Zale has taught 2nd, 3rd and 5th grades, K-5 reading intervention and has served as a district instructional coach. She earned the Yapavai County Teacher of the Year Cross Grades Category in 2018. Her current position is K-8 Reading Specialist at Cottonwood Community School. Mrs. Zale loves all things outdoors and spending time with her husband and their grown children.
Mrs. Valdez was born and raised in Cottonwood, Arizona. She has been working at CCS for 6 years now. Mrs. Valdez started working as a Paraprofessional and her current position is Attendance Secretary & Athletic Director. She has her hands full with a 10 month baby boy that keeps her and her husband on their toes.
Nicole Barrier, M. Ed., M.Ed.
Admin
Nicole Barrier comes from a long line of educators and attended Cottonwood Oak Creek Schools for her elementary and Jr. High education. She holds dual majors in Elementary Education and Special Education, a Master’s in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Educational Administration, and endorsements in Reading and Early Childhood Education. Over the last 22 years, Nicole has had the privilege of working in three of the five schools within the Cottonwood Oak Creek School District. Her experience includes 8 years teaching special needs students, 5 years teaching 3rd grade, and 6 years as a Reading Specialist. After serving as Vice Principal for 3 years, she is now embarking on her first year as Principal, dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive school culture.
Mrs. Moran was born in Flagstaff, Arizona, but has lived in Cottonwood for most of her life. She grew up playing softball and even received a scholarship to play at Yavapai College. She was lucky enough to win a National Championship. After Yavapai she attended Northern Arizona University, where she graduated with honors and received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Family Studies. This was just a stepping-stone to her teaching career. After NAU she moved on to the University of Phoenix where she earned her master’s degree in Elementary Education. She recently just earned her second master’s in Reading Instruction from Grand Canyon University. She has been teaching at Cottonwood Oak Creek School District for 9 years as a third/fourth grade teacher. Mrs. Moran is married and has two children.
Ms. Francis attended COCSD, as did her children and now grandchildren.She graduated from Northern Arizona with a Bachelors in Elementary Education degree and a minor in Social Sciences. Her continued education includes a master’s degree in Reading Instruction from Grand Canyon University. She has taught at DDB for 15 years. She feels very lucky to loop with her students from first grade to second grade to provide extra support and stability to those students who may need it the most. Ms. Francis enjoys being outside, gardening and raising her new chicken flock.
Ms. Campbell moved to the Verde Valley in 2008 after falling in love with Sedona and the surrounding wilderness. Ms. Campbell has a Bachelor of Social Work from Northern Arizona University and a Masters of Social Work from Arizona State University. She has been in the field of social service and mental health since 2007, working in a variety of settings from outpatient, non profit, residential, child welfare, hospice and education services. In addition to being passionate about helping others she also enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with family and friends, and going on adventures. She has an enormous love for animals and nature with her newest love of chickery. Ms. Campbell is currently working at DDB as the Prevention Specialist and Mckinney Vento Liaison.
Mrs. Ortega grew up in Mexico and moved to Sedona in the late 80’s and has been a part of the Sedona community for over 30 years. She has been with the SOCUSD for over 20 years. She serves as the EL Liaison and Spanish Translator for the SOCUSD, with an additional role as an Administrative Assistant at West Sedona School. When not working, Mrs. Ortega loves spending time with her family, working in the garden and hiking.
Ms. Gonzalez has worked in education for the past 15 years in Arizona and Southern California. She earned her BAE in Special Education from ASU and completed rigorous graduate work in language and communication disorders at CSULA. She is a certified reading teacher and special educator. Before her current role as Title 1 Reading Specialist at WSS, she was a learning specialist for children with language-based learning disabilities for over a decade at an independent school in Los Angeles. There, she found her true calling as a reading specialist and extensively trained in multiple structured literacy programs and research-based methods. She feels grateful to bring her passion for the power of effective literacy instruction to at-risk students, emerging bilinguals, and students with reading disorders in the Title 1 setting. Ms. Gonzalez believes all students learn differently and need an environment of support, empathy, and encouragement to thrive, especially struggling readers. When not doing all things literacy, she enjoys the arts, outdoor adventures, travel, cooking at home, yoga, and fitness classes. She lives in Cornville with her husband and two rescued fur babies.
Mrs. Beinfest was raised in a military family and grew up primarily in
California. In 2007 she moved to Arizona, along with her husband, son and daughter. She holds a Master of Science in Education as well as a Degree of Educational Specialist in curriculum, instruction and professional development. 2024 marks her 25th year of teaching! She is proud to now be a part of the West Sedona School team as the ELL teacher.
Thank you LISA for the curriculum purchase for Title 1 that will support 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students to grow our nonfiction text comprehension skills. Your purchase will help not just students during the current year, but for years to come as these materials are reusable.
Our cooking club wants to thank you for the funding that you provided for our club. Thanks to your generous donations, our students have created some delicious and amazing looking food. We greatly appreciate all you do.
Thank you LISA for buying my son a bed and bedding. I couldn’t stop crying watching him sleep last night. He is so happy. You really did an amazing thing.
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