Our team

Meet our dedicated professionals.

Experienced educators and support staff committed to student success, working with your child one to one and in small groups.

Who teaches at Goodwin Learning Academy?

Goodwin Learning Academy students are supported by a highly qualified team of special education professionals, including experienced educators and specialized paraprofessionals. Through individualized one-to-one instruction and intentionally small group settings, our team provides the specialized support, structure, and personalized instruction each student needs to thrive. All GLA staff maintain current teaching certs, IVP Fingerprint Clearance Cards, and CPR and First Aid certifications.

K–12 with Job Readiness & Life Skills
Support for older students
IVP fingerprint clearance cards
Every staff member
CPR and First Aid, current
Every staff member

Leadership team.

Aidan Goodwin
CEO & Founder
Aidan founded Goodwin Learning Academy to reimagine what's possible in special education. Inspired by both personal experience and professional dedication, his vision was to create a school where students with autism and other disabilities are seen, understood, and given the individualized support they deserve. His leadership is driven by heart and innovation, ensuring GLA remains a place where every learner is empowered to grow beyond limits and discover their full potential.
Kristin Ortega
Executive Director
Kristin serves as Executive Director at GLA, functioning at the COO level across all company operations. She is the compliance, operational, and instructional force behind GLA, with authority spanning special education programming, student services, staff development and accountability, instructional quality, organizational systems, and accreditation, across GLA's three delivery modalities and educational pathways, and she leads the school's continued strategic growth. Her commitment runs deeper than credentials. As a special needs mom, she has sat on both sides of the IEP table, and that lived experience drives the systems she builds, the standards she holds, and the unshakable belief that every child, when truly seen and properly supported, is capable of growth beyond what anyone expected.

Our teaching team.

Dedicated special education professionals committed to individualized student success.

Jessica Jones
Special Education Teacher
Ms. Jessica is a creative, flexible, and relationship-focused educator who uses student data to guide instruction. She enjoys helping learners build confidence while growing both academically and personally, and is passionate about supporting students as whole people. Ms. Jessica especially enjoys ELA and is committed to continually strengthening her reading and 2E teaching practices. She brings highly individualized, relationship-focused, and data-informed instruction to the classroom, balancing structure and flexibility with a focus on early reading and math development through visual, multisensory, and hands-on learning.
Emily Gosselink
Special Education Teacher
Ms. Emily has always had a deep love for learning and a natural connection to the school environment. Her path into special education began in ABA settings and as a youth care worker, where she saw firsthand the impact caring adults can have on a child's life. That passion grew as a teaching assistant supporting students with IEPs, leading her to pursue her certification as a special education teacher. Ms. Emily is a structured yet flexible educator passionate about ELA, science, and social-emotional learning, and she brings compassion and dedication to every student and family she works with.
Tania Jaramillo
Special Education Teacher
Ms. Tania is passionate about helping students discover their strengths and reach their full potential. She has taught in inclusion, self-contained, and resource classrooms across both charter and public schools, experiences that have strengthened her ability to meet the unique needs of every learner. Ms. Tania builds strong relationships with her students and uses structured, hands-on instruction tailored to each learner's needs, with a particular love for teaching reading to K–5 students. Her goal is to help every student grow with confidence and success.
Beth Dillon
Teacher
Ms. Beth is entering her seventh year of virtual teaching, with years of experience in Arizona classrooms and early learning programs before that. She also served as a Quality First Coach supporting preschool programs across Pinal County, and her work with Play ABA and SARC deepened her passion for supporting students with exceptional learning needs.
Daniel Pfitzner
Teacher
Mr. Daniel has worked with children on the autism spectrum since 2020, both in and out of the classroom, and found his passion for teaching students with diverse needs through a patient, creative, student-centered approach. He brings clear expectations and visually supported instruction to his teaching, with a particular love for math, history, and physical education. Outside the classroom, Mr. Daniel runs a chess club where he enjoys helping students build critical thinking skills, and he's committed to weaving physical education into daily routines to help every learner succeed.
Mark Olvera
Teacher
Mr. Mark is an energetic and dedicated educator with experience supporting students in both educational and therapeutic settings. With a background in after-school education and three years of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, he brings a strong foundation in individualized support, relationship-building, and diverse learning needs. His high-energy, humorous personality helps create engaging and positive learning experiences for students.
Alexandra Olvera
Teacher
Ms. Alex, known to many of her students as Ms. O, is passionate about advocating for students with diverse learning needs and creating a supportive environment where every child can thrive. She brings a structured, flexible, and relationship-focused approach to teaching, using data to guide instruction and meet each student's individual needs. Ms. Alex is committed to making special education accessible and equitable for families, and to continually learning, researching, and growing alongside her students.
Abagail Thomas
Teacher
Ms. Abagail is a creative, compassionate, and patient educator committed to meeting each child exactly where they are in their learning journey. Her background in after-school education and high-needs care coordination has given her a strong foundation in trauma-informed care and individualized student support. She brings a flexible, calm, and supportive approach to the classroom, creating a safe environment where students feel valued and encouraged. Ms. Abagail incorporates art, reading, and creativity to build curiosity and confidence, empowering students to grow at their own pace and build skills for success in and beyond the classroom.
Kristen Phare
Paraprofessional
Ms. Kristen Phare brings over seven years of experience in education to Goodwin Learning Academy, including four years teaching high school math. Prior to her career in education, she proudly served eight years in the U.S. Army, completing two tours in Iraq. Math is her area of expertise, and she is passionate about making it engaging and approachable while helping students build confidence and reach their full potential. Ms. Phare is a structured, hands-on educator committed to continuous growth as both an educator and a leader.
Riley Brunia
Paraprofessional
Ms. Riley is an outgoing, patient, and dedicated paraprofessional. She believes that encouragement and consistency make a meaningful difference for every learner, and she brings a flexible, student-led, relationship-focused approach to her work. Ms. Riley enjoys supporting students of all ages, with a special fondness for younger learners, and finds the most rewarding part of her role to be building relationships with students, encouraging them, and watching them grow.
Brooke Conway
Paraprofessional
Ms. Brooke is a kind-hearted paraprofessional who values structure, positive rapport, and fun, hands-on learning experiences. She especially enjoys working with younger learners and supporting students who need consistency, encouragement, and individualized assistance, helping every student build confidence and reach their full potential.

Patient, flexible, and adaptable, Brooke spends her free time with her Australian Shepherd puppy or relaxing by the pool.
Ana Alcantar
K-8 Coordinator