A mother and son’s journey as a part of the Sierra School of South Mountain

Damien, a 12-year-old middle schooler, joined Sierra School of South Mountain after facing significant challenges in the public school system. For his mother, Tairy, finding a safe and supportive educational environment for Damien was crucial.

Tairy’s Personal and Professional Growth

Since enrolling at the school four years ago, Damien has flourished both academically and socially. His progress is deeply personal for Tairy, who now works as a teaching assistant at Sierra School of South Mountain. “I wanted to learn more about special needs and how to help children in meaningful ways,” she said. “Taking a job with the school empowered me to support my son but also do important work.”

Damien’s Creative Spirit and Social Growth

A creative spirit, Damien has a passion for drawing cartoon characters, often inspired by animations and game characters like Cameraman from Roblox. His love for art is matched by his improving social skills. He enjoys playing tag with friends at recess and always takes the time to warmly greet his teachers. One teacher, Ms. Groves, has become a particularly important figure for him. “He gravitates towards her because she’s so welcoming,” Tairy explained, highlighting the supportive relationships that define the Sierra School of South Mountain experience. “It’s not just about teaching; it’s about being there for each child and making them feel included in everything.”

For families like Tairy and Damien, Sierra School of South Mountain is a place where they can thrive and grow. “I think it’s hard being a special needs parent, especially when your child can’t communicate properly,” she said. “You have to trust that they’re in good hands. And I know here that he is in good hands, even if he was to have a behavior incident. They’re compassionate about what they do and they do it for the right reasons. He is well taken care of at Sierra School of South Mountain, and it puts my mind at ease.”

She encourages other parents to trust the Sierra School of South Mountain staff. “I want other parents to know that they know what they’re doing here,” Tairy said. “The way we’re trained and how we’re told to handle and teach the kids is incredible. We’re taught not only to teach but how to be there for each child, because every child has different needs.”

Thinking about enrolling your child?

At Sierra School of South Mountain, families like Tairy and Damien’s find a supportive, inclusive environment where students can truly thrive. Since enrolling, Damien has flourished academically and socially, and his mother, Tairy, now works at the school to give back to the community that helped her son. If you’re looking for a school that offers compassion, individualized care, and a commitment to student success, Sierra School of South Mountain is a place where your child can grow and succeed.