Sierra Schools of Arizona Educators Advance Through Certifications

Across Sierra Schools of Arizona, educators are taking the next step in their careers by earning teaching certifications while continuing to serve students each day.

For Danielle Simpson, Becky King and DeLonté Murray, those certifications have opened doors to new roles, strengthened their skills, and reinforced their commitment to special education. With support from SESI’s tuition reimbursement program and flexible certification options, each took a different path to reaching that milestone.

Educator Certifications Support Career Growth

Danielle Simpson, Associate Director, Sierra School of Scottsdale

Named 2026 Regional Staff of the Year, Simpson began her career in education after working in retail and banking. In August 2021, she took a position as a high school paraprofessional despite having no prior college experience.

After serving as a high school teacher and curriculum specialist at Sierra School of Gateway, Simpson began considering teaching certification. Regional Director Jessica Gilmore encouraged her to take that next step.

Through Western Governors University and SESI’s tuition reimbursement program, Simpson earned her bachelor’s degree in educational studies in just 15 months. Her degree included a concentration in mild to moderate exceptionalities, and she completed it while working full time.

She earned her Arizona teaching certification in June 2026 and was named associate director of Sierra School of Scottsdale the following month. Simpson plans to pursue a master’s degree in educational leadership as she continues building her career in special education.

As an educator and school leader, Simpson focuses on creating an environment where students feel known and supported. She also challenges them to reach their potential and works closely with staff and families to help students succeed.

As the first person in her family to graduate from college, Simpson sees the accomplishment as an example for her daughters.

“Completing this is one of those ‘it’s never too late’ moments. I’ve shown my girls that it does not matter where we come from, we are the only people capable of achieving our goals,” Simpson said. “I am not the things I went through, and changing my life through this education has been life-changing.”

Becky King, Special Education Teacher, Sierra School of Gilbert

King worked in the medical field and later as a resource teacher at a California charter school before joining Sierra School of Gilbert in 2024. She already held a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in organizational management, but her work at Sierra prompted her to pursue additional special education certification.

When the school needed specialized support for a nonverbal student with complex needs, King enrolled in the iTeach program. With tuition reimbursement support, she earned her moderate-to-severe certification while continuing to work and spend time with her family.

“I love that it allowed me to do my best as a teacher and still have time with my family,” King said, emphasizing how self-paced certification helped her balance her career and home life.

“It is rewarding sitting in meetings with parents who cry because they’ve never had anyone say positive things about their child, and to be able to tell them that we love that he comes to our school every day.”

King’s experience has also encouraged others around her to pursue certification. One of her teaching assistants is now enrolled in the iTeach program and working toward a teaching degree.

“I like to be that cheerleader for others, straighten the crown,” King said.

DeLonté Murray, Associate Director of Academics, Sierra School of Gateway

Murray’s path to education began after an injury changed the direction he expected his life to take. A student-athlete, Murray earned a Division I football scholarship to the University of Cincinnati, but his plans changed after he suffered a back injury.

He eventually found his way to special education, starting as a teaching assistant at High Road Academy in Maryland. After relocating to Arizona in 2023, Murray joined Sierra School of Scottsdale as a teacher.

Through the iTeach program, he earned his mild-to-moderate certification, which helped prepare him for his next professional step. In July 2026, he was named associate director of academics at Sierra School of Gateway.

In the classroom and now as a school leader, Murray draws on his own experiences with setbacks and perseverance to connect with students. His approach includes differentiated instruction, culturally responsive practices and helping students build confidence to work through challenges.

He has also taken a leadership role in behavior support efforts aimed at increasing student engagement and classroom participation.

“Plans B and C became my plan A, and I started at the bottom and climbed up the ladder,” Murray said. “This is a testimony to everything that I was worried about not being noticed, and it has given me all the motivation to see how far hard work and staying humble can take me.”

Continued Learning Across Sierra Schools of Arizona

Simpson, King, and Murray have each used their certification experience to strengthen their work with students and colleagues. SESI resources, including tuition reimbursement and professional development, have supported their continued learning and career advancement.