From Intern to Program Director: Joselin Ortiz

A Future Program Director Starts as a Student Intern

Joselin Ortiz began her career in education before even earning her high school diploma.
During her senior year at Sunrise Mountain High School, she chose a teaching career pathway that required 10 hours of classroom observation. After seeing a video highlighting Sierra School of Peoria, she decided to complete her hours there.

“I thought I’d try it and see what it was like,” Ortiz said.

College, Special Education, and Returning to Sierra

The experience planted a seed, even after early challenges made her question whether education was the right path. She graduated from high school and later attended Grand Canyon University, where she received a full-ride scholarship to pursue a teaching degree. While in college, Ortiz leaned toward special education and returned to Sierra School of Peoria during her sophomore and junior years to complete observation hours. Working closely with students during that time solidified her career choice.

“I fell in love with the kids and the relationships,” she said.

From Student Teacher to Lead Roles in Peoria

Ortiz completed her student teaching at the Peoria campus in a K–3 classroom and was hired as a teacher just three weeks into her placement when a vacancy opened. She remained at the Peoria program for nearly nine years, serving in multiple roles, including lead teacher and assessment coordinator.

Stepping Into the Program Director Role

In 2023, Ortiz took on a new challenge as associate director at Sierra School at Liberty, where she helped open a new IDC program. Six months later, leadership asked her to step into the program director role at Sierra School at Pendergast. In her role, Ortiz oversees an in-district classroom (IDC) program serving students across the Pendergast Elementary School District. Based at Sonoran Sky Elementary School, the K–8 program supports students with significant behavioral and social-emotional needs, with the goal of helping them successfully transition back into general education.

Supporting Students With Behavioral and Social-Emotional Needs

The program serves 27 students and can support up to 36. Most of her students are referred to Sierra due to physical or verbal aggression and social-emotional challenges. Ortiz and her team work to reduce behaviors and support students as they prepare to return to general education classrooms. Several eighth graders, including some who have been in the program since kindergarten, are now transitioning back to general education.

Ortiz defines success by growth rather than grades.

“When a student comes out of their shell or says they’re going to try their best, that’s success,” she said. “It means they feel safe and supported.”

Building Staff Strength and Family Trust

She points to students who once refused to attend school but now arrive engaged and eager to learn. Hands-on activities and schoolwide events have helped increase student investment and confidence.

Ortiz credits much of the program’s progress to her staff. She said watching teachers grow and handle challenging situations independently has been one of the most rewarding parts of her role. She maintains regular communication with parents and encourages staff to participate in campus and community events.

Parents often tell her they are relieved to see their children excited about school again.

Mentorship, Leadership, and Long-Term Growth

After more than a decade with Sierra Schools, Ortiz remains committed to mentoring others. Several staff members followed her into leadership roles, including a former teaching assistant who now serves as her lead teacher. Ortiz uses her own path to show new educators that long-term growth is possible.

“You have to pay attention to every lesson along the way,” she said. “It’s a roller coaster, but it’s worth it.”

A Full-Circle Moment

At 18-years-old, Ortiz told the school director at Sierra School of Peoria she hoped to be like her one day. Today, she is doing just that, supporting students and helping shape a school culture built on relationships and steady growth.