Sierra School at Wylie
Predicated on strong collaboration and communication between Wylie ISD, Region 10 and our in-district staff, our district programs are designed to achieve their greatest potential. The academic, social emotional, and behavioral needs of each student are met through such means as a high student-to-staff ratio, individualization and small-group teaching approaches and comprehensive behavior management system. Our staff works in unison with district special education and general education teachers to ensure that our students receive the maximum benefits from both district resources and those of our programs.
Contact Us
- (P) 480.234.8542
- 400 Pirate Drive, Wylie, TX 75098
Meet the Team
Rachel Bohnhoff, Director
Rachel grew up in Williamsburg, VA where she later attended the College of William and Mary, earning her degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. In her early years out of college, she worked as a Mental Health Residential Counselor II for post-hospitalized adolescents. After moving to VA beach, VA in 2002, she temporarily took a job in Special Education as a substitute teacher and realized her calling to work with students. She then obtained an M. Ed in cross-categorical special education enabling her later career specializations in the areas of Autism, Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disturbances.
Rachel landed in Texas after a lengthy long-distance relationship with her Garland, TX born and raised sweetheart, Phillip. In 2007, the enamored couple married, then resided in Rowlett, TX. That is where they continue to live with their 2 young boys (ages 8 and 11) who are actively involved in the sports of football and water polo. Rachel’s eldest child, her only daughter is a graduate of UTD and continues in her mom’s footsteps as a Kindergarten elementary school teacher. Her favorite activities include quiet time reading, swimming, vacations to any beach, estate sale shopping, backyard barbecues and refinishing wood furniture. Other hobbies include perusing local real estate. Rachel earned her real estate license in the State of Texas last year.
Throughout the last 15 years, Rachel has taught all levels of Education from Elementary through High School. During her educational career, she has taught in the areas of adaptive behavior, social skills, all Core subjects K-5, Middle school Math and Science, HS Math Models, Algebra II and Geometry, Economics, Physics, Aquatic Science, Spanish level I and II and 9-12th grade English Language Arts and Reading.
Former leadership roles include her positions as Master Trainer of Technology for South Garland HS, ARD auditor, In-home & parent trainer, Campus Leadership teams, and internships/substituting as an Assistant Principal for Garland ISD. Other roles include being a Senior Rehabilitation Specialist- Director of the Total Re-integration Program for Students with Brain Injuries (TRI) at Richland College, Lead Teacher for Sierra Schools Wylie, and a part of the Sierra Schools Texas Leadership Team.
Rachel is thrilled to be a part of the growth and development of Sierra Schools in Texas and looks forward to the integration of full bloom’s operations in Texas while maintaining the state’s motto of bigger and better…. Bigger improvements and better data from Sierra Schools in (Wylie) Texas.
We serve students in grades K–4. Our classroom is a highly structured, therapeutic environment with a classroom-based behavior management level system to assess student needs and map out the best way to benefit them. Our staff provides a positive and welcoming environment to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of each student.
The Sierra School at Wylie HOPE Program is a specialized, non-traditional classroom designed as a short term (minimum nine weeks and maximum 18 weeks) placement for students in grades K-2.
The HOPE Program focus is on utilizing supports, social and emotional learning (SEL) and positive behavioral interventions. Students receive direct teaching in social skills, appropriate classroom and school behaviors, and self-regulation skills in a structured, therapeutic setting.
Achieve Program (Grades 2-4)
Our Achieve program offers a specialized, non-traditional, therapeutic placement option for eligible students in Grades 2 through 4. The focus is on utilizing academic supports, social and emotional learning (SEL), and positive behavioral interventions to assist students in learning, generalizing, and maintaining positive social, emotional, and behavioral skills across multiple learning environments.
Students in Sierra School at Wylie’s Achieve program receive specialized, direct instruction in pro-social skills so they can learn to effectively identify and self-regulate their behavior in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Target skills may include, but not be limited to, being considerate, appropriate, safe, and engaged (CASE). Students will learn, and practice mindfulness techniques, self-regulation strategies, thought stopping/thought changing strategies, and motivational techniques that will allow them to gain more self-control, improve problem-solving skills.
Our Students
Students are referred by their school district to attend Sierra School at Wylie, and are generally in grades K–4 facing social and emotional disabilities.
Our Staff
The Sierra School at Wylie has an experienced, certified Special Education teacher, social worker, and two teaching assistants. For students requiring additional related services, Sierra School partners with Wylie Independent School District (ISD).