Lindsay R. Perez, Ph.D.
Special Education Compliance and Industrial/Organizational Psychologist
Dr. Lindsay Perez is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist and Special Education Services Specialist. Dr. Perez’s Special Education experience includes everything from classroom teacher to School Director. She has designed programs and services for students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities, building these programs from the ground up. She has created and implemented educator training programs, which have been reviewed and requested by outside agencies for use in their programs. Dr. Perez’s services include generating accommodations/modifications, ADE compliance, IEP documentation, staff training, IEP facilitation, direct services, and program development.
While in the School Director position, Dr. Perez facilitated the introduction of values to the organization and designed activities/provided employee rewards to assist with buy-in and implementation. She led a culture change initiative, working to improve both the staff morale and the interactions between educational staff and students.
Her I/O experience includes leadership and team development and coaching, driving organizational culture change initiatives, training and curriculum development, project planning and implementation, and constructing employee selection and training procedures. With a background in research, Dr. Perez uses data and analysis to examine work environments and organizational structures in order to assess and improve organizational functioning and services.
In addition to her Special Education and I/O consultative work, Dr. Perez currently teaches Masters students at Purdue Global in the Psychology department. She has also received designation as an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist by the Society of Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Samuel L. Wright, Jr., M.Ed.
Special Education Compliance
Former School Director, Operations Director and co-founder of Desert Heights Academy, Mr. Samuel L. Wright, Jr. career in education began in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he worked as a self-contained special education teacher. In 1998, he relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where he obtained a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and continued his work in special education. His passion for students with special needs drove him to focus on the improvement of private schools, specializing in positive behavior management models and clinical support. Samuel has promoted a collaborative culture and connects the school to its wider environment. He has been instrumental in equitably structuring the organization for success. Samuel fosters genuine trusting relationships with students, staff, families, and communities guided by mutual respect. He empowers others to work in the best interests of all students.
Jasmine Cardenas M.Ed., SLT
Bilingual Speech and Language Technician / Special Education Compliance
Ms. Jasmine Cardenas is a professional special educator with diverse experience and a strong track record for fostering student centered curriculum, diversity and creativity .
Ms. Cardenas’ career began in Las Vegas, Nevada as a certified teacher while pursuing her degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Jasmine moved to Phoenix, AZ where she then pursued her master’s degree in Special Education at Grand Canyon University. Upon completion, Jasmine has worked with schools across the valley to service their students under an Individualized Education Plan and consults with educators across a variety of settings.
Ms. Cardenas’ experience includes serving as a Special Education Director, an administrator and special education teacher. Ms. Cardenas has also served a Program Coordinator for students with Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, Emotional Disabilities, Speech and Language Impairments and Other Health Impairments. Her duties consisted of ensuring IEP compliance and implementation, consulting with the general education teachers and coordinating professional developments school wide.
As a bilingual Speech and Language Technician, Jasmine performed evaluations and serviced students who qualified for Speech and Language Services. She was also responsible for screening ELL students using formalized bilingual assessments.
