Meet Our Interns

2025-2026 Current Specialist-Level Interns

Cristina Palmer

Northern Arizona University

I began my career in education 20 years ago as a Title 1 elementary school teacher, where I later specialized in working with highly gifted students. That experience gave me a strong foundation for supporting diverse and unique learners and ultimately led me to pursue a career in school psychology. My professional interests include supporting twice-exceptional learners, practical and effective behavior intervention practices, and fostering family-school partnerships.

I am currently a student in Northern Arizona University's Ed.S. program and am completing my internship at Las Brisas Elementary School in Deer Valley. After completing my practicum in the district, I knew DVUSD was where I wanted to continue my training because of its long-standing reputation for excellence in supervision. The district's internship supervision model provides the right balance of guidance and independence, allowing me to grow both my skills and confidence in a safe and supported environment. I am grateful to be a part of such a collaborative and dedicated team of psychologists and educators. I would wholeheartedly recommend the Deer Valley district to all future school psychology interns. This professional community is truly an exceptional place to learn, work and grow!

Renee Gomez

New Mexico State University

Hello! 😊 I am currently a student at New Mexico State University and a school psychologist intern at Arrowhead Elementary School with DVUSD. I received my BA in Psychology in 2019 and immediately started working as a Registered Behavior Technician providing home-based ABA therapy. I first started working in the public schools in my hometown in 2022 as a Behavior Technician in a therapeutic learning classroom. I loved working with children in special education and decided that for my final year of my Ed.S. program, I wanted to branch out to bigger school districts to expand my horizons. Therefore, I did my research and found DVUSD. Upon joining DVUSD, my goal was to provide culturally responsive support while continuing to develop my school psychology skills and strengthen my professional confidence. I am overjoyed to be completing my internship with DVUSD and overwhelmed with gratitude to be a part of such an amazing, organized, and CARING team. I have already learned so much here and have been supported every step of the way thus far. Having a primary and secondary supervisor is the best, and my favorite is definitely group soup! I am so excited for what’s to come and for what I am going to learn this upcoming school year with DVUSD.

Former Specialist-Level Interns 2018-2025

Sydney Snyder, Ed.S.

Northern Arizona University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

I am a current school psychologist intern at Las Brisas Elementary and a student in Northern Arizona University’s School Psychology Education Specialist program. I earned my BA in Secondary Education from ASU in 2022 before pursuing a career in school psychology.

I completed my practicum in DVUSD and chose to stay for my internship! The DVUSD supervision model provides a great balance between independence and support, allowing me to gain confidence as I learn the job! While DVUSD supervision encourages independence throughout internship, DVUSD's experienced school psychologists and great resources ensure that I always feel supported.

I am super grateful to be part of the DVUSD school psychology community as I continue to grow my skills and confidence!

Joscelyn Santos-Kenda, Ed.S.

Northern Arizona University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

Hi! I am a current school psychologist intern this year at Stetson Hills K-8th School in DVUSD and in my final year at Northern Arizona University in the School Psychology Ed.S program. I started in DVUSD during my practicum year and chose to continue working in DVUSD because of how much I enjoyed my practicum experience. I am grateful for the support DVUSD offers as an intern as well as how well organized the program is from having a primary supervisor, secondary and intern group supervision. I chose to stay in DVUSD to have a more hands-on experience, their collaborative environment, and diverse school settings. Internship year comes with new experiences and challenges and in each one I am certain that school psychology is still for me! I love the collaboration aspect with teachers, admin, related services and other psych’s when working on a student’s case. As a school psychologist intern, each day looks different for me. This ever-changing environment keeps me engaged and motivated, allowing me to continually adapt and grow in my practice!

If you are looking for a school psychologist group that is SO supportive and open for support when needed DVUSD is the right place.

Andrew Horvath, Ed.S.

Northern Arizona University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

I began my teaching career in 2011 and have worked in a diverse range of classrooms, supporting numerous students and families along the way. Now in my final year of graduate school, I am thrilled to be completing my internship at Deer Valley High School in DVUSD. My professional goals include providing culturally responsive support to all families in the community. In addition to earning my Ed.S degree, I am also working towards a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) certification to ensure a comprehensive approach to my work. DVUSD has an incredible and dynamic team of psychologists and leaders, and I am confident that I am working with the best!

Justine Villarin, Ed.S.

Northern Arizona University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

As an international student, being a school psychologist intern at Inspiration Mountain School and working with K-8 students has been an enriching opportunity. I chose Deer Valley Unified School District for my internship because of its exceptional training model, where my journey has been supported by insightful supervisors who are always just a call or text away and ready to offer guidance whenever needed. The administrators and Special Education team at my school have been nurturing, allowing me to grow in my role as I work toward completing my degree at Northern Arizona University.

The DVUSD training model has been key in preparing me for a career in school psychology. The collaborative support of my cohort has been valuable as we share experiences and learn together. This internship continues to increase my confidence while developing the independence necessary to excel in this field. I am very excited to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the students and families I serve!

Cassandra Craig, Ed.S., NCSP

Northern Arizona University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

Hi! I am a current school psychologist intern this year at Desert Mountain School in DVUSD and a student in North Arizona University’s Ed.S. program. I earned my M.S. in General Psychology from GCU in 2019 before pursuing a career in school psychology. I have an interest in promoting trauma-informed practices in schools along with effective family-school collaboration in order to prioritize student well-being and help campuses feel safe for all. My current campus services developmental preschool students through the 8th grade. I chose DVUSD for my internship because of the well-rounded experience the district provides with a cohort of other interns along with various levels of supervision. I have really enjoyed working with both my primary and secondary supervisors so far this year along with group supervision to learn from the other interns. The supervision model at DVUSD has really helped me gain confidence and allow me the independence and autonomy that I need to develop my skills as a future psychologist, while providing all of the support, connectedness, and guidance that I need along the way. The school psychologist team here is truly so supportive, welcoming, and collaborative. I am very excited to be a part of the Deer Valley family and continue to grow my skills in internship this year.

Katie Caravantes, Ed.S.

Ottawa University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

I'm a school psychologist intern at Sunset Ridge School in Deer Valley Unified School District. I started as a dual-certified teacher in Arizona and now I’m furthering my passion for Special Education by achieving my specialist’s at Ottawa University. I strive to challenge myself daily and provide out-of-the-box support for students. School Psychology allows me to assess and evaluate individual students while providing teachers with intervention strategies. I’m able to work with teachers and parents to support a student's success. This degree is not just for me but for my family and those students who have given up on education. I choose DVUSD for the multiple learning opportunities and the hands-on experience. My supervisors and campus staff have been beyond supportive and knowledgeable.

Megan Olson, Ed.S.

Northern Arizona University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

I am a graduate student in my final year at Northern Arizona University in the School Psychology Education Specialist program. Currently, I am completing my internship at Mirage Elementary School, which services developmental preschool students through grade six. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as a School Psychology Intern at DVUSD. I choose DVUSD because of the wealth of opportunities and hands-on experience you can receive in the district.

DVUSD is a family. All of the school psychologists in this district are happy and willing to assist you with any problems or questions you may have. One of the best parts of my internship so far is my intern cohort. Having this cohort creates a system in which we are all able to support and collaborate with one another.

Overall, my school psychology internship has been an enriching experience and has provided me with a strong foundation for a career in education. I am excited to continue learning and growing in school psychology and look forward to positively impacting the lives of the students I serve.

Renee’ Rios, EdS, NCSP (back)
Northern Arizona University
Current DVUSD Psychologist
About Me: I am originally from California and went to Northern Arizona University for my bachelor’s in psychology. At the time I interviewed as an prospective intern, the way the internship program was structured was side-by-side and we could participate on different teams (ex: preschool). I wanted as much exposure as I could get so I thought this sounded great. My interview went well and I really clicked with one of the psychologists who interviewed me; she ended up becoming my mentor. I stayed with Deer Valley past my internship because the psychologist group is supportive, we have a lot of professional development opportunities, there is a stipend for your NCSP, and the pay is one of the higher in the valley. There’s a wide range of opportunities here to try different settings and teams so you can really find your groove while knowing you’re supported.
Bailey Hansen, PsyS, NCSP (front)
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
About Me: I love working in the Deer Valley Unified District because of all the opportunities there are to grow professionally. If you have a special interest, there is always an opportunity to work and grow in that area. For example, I love working with preschoolers, so I am able to be on the preschool evaluation team.

Kim Levesque, M.Ed.

Eastern Washington University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

I am a former school psychologist intern at Norterra Canyon School in the Deer Valley Unified School District and a student in Eastern Washington University’s Ed.S. program. I could not have made a better choice than DVUSD for my internship year. My supervisors and colleagues are both supportive mentors and exceptional practitioners. The entire team of psychologists is warm, welcoming, and always ready to share their experience and expertise. I appreciate the PreK-8th grade setting, where I can work with students at various developmental levels. DVUSD’s supervision and training model has provided me with many opportunities to develop my professional knowledge and practical skills; I feel confident that I will be well-prepared at the end of this experience.

Isabella Dasilva-Vivancos, Ed.S.

Ottawa University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

I am a student at Ottawa University completing my internship at a K-8 school in DVUSD. I started in DVUSD during my practicum and chose to continue working in DVUSD because of how much I enjoyed my practicum experience. I felt supported by my supervisor and received hands-on experiences that I would not have received elsewhere. Working as an intern in the district has granted me a good balance of support and independence to grow my skills as a psychologist so I can be prepared for my post-grad experience. DVUSD is a large district, but the support you receive from your supervisor and other psychologists in the district makes it feel personable and allows you to gain experience in all areas of the school psychology practice.

Troi Rhodes, Ed.S. Northern Arizona University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

I am currently a former intern for DVUSD and current psychologist. I was a part of Northern Arizona University's Ed.S. program for school psychology. I am a born and raised Phoenician, and grew up in the Deer Valley Unified School District. As a K-12 student in DVUSD, I had great teachers who had been a part of the DVUSD family since the 80's and 90's and teachers who were also once DVUSD students themselves! In starting my undergrad in teaching at Northern Arizona University, I knew I wanted to be a part of and continue the DVUSD family! The Deer Valley internship program offers an array of training you can partake in, excellent supervision, and opportunities to challenge you that will help develop your practice as you transition from being a practicum student to an intern.

Ruthie Millett, Ed.S. Northern Arizona University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

I am in my final year at NAU in their School Psychology, Educational Specialist Master’s Degree program, looking forward to graduating in May 2021. I completed my practicum primarily at Desert Sky Middle School sharing time at Mountain Shadows Elementary School, which are both in the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD). I had very knowledgeable supervisors during my practicum whom I felt provided me with a great insight to the field, expectations, demands, and helped build my confidence entering into my internship. I am currently completing my internship at Greenbrier Elementary School, which services developmental preschool students through the sixth grade. I am grateful to work with one of my prior practicum supervisors during my internship. I feel the knowledge, support, guidance, and continued learning opportunities are immeasurable! In addition to the support of my supervisor, the school psychologist team in DVUSD have been AMAZING and available to help when called upon. To make matters even better, the internship cohort I am on this journey with are just fantastic, and we are able to consult with one another and share experiences and gain additional insight from one another.

Jaime Lavit, Ed.S. Ottawa University

Current DVUSD Psychologist

Hi! I am recent graduate of Ottawa University (May, 2020). I graduated with a Specialist's Degree in School Psychology. I am married to my husband, Scott and we have three wonderful children.I completed my practicum, internship, and now I am a full time employee with Deer Valley Unified School District.The 2020-2021 school year has brought on some challenges; however, my passion to provide support to both my campuses for students, teachers, parents, and staff has not waivered. It is with the continued support from DVUSD, and my colleagues that have allowed me to continue to make a difference!Together we are #Extraordinary!

Erin Vaughn, Ed.S., NCSPNorthern Arizona University
Current DVUSD Psychologist

I completed the Ed.S program through University of Arizona. For my internship year I was placed at Bellair Elementary School. This campus served grades preschool to 6th grade. I had an experienced supervisor that was knowledgeable, supportive, and provided me with multiple learning opportunities. My supervisor also helped me gain the confidence to become independent when I was ready. The best part of my internship year was developing a close bond with my fellow interns. We were able to collaborate with one another and develop a support system outside of supervision.

Laura Rodi, Ed.S., NCSPNorthern Arizona University
Current DVUSD Psychologist
Hello. I am a former DVUSD teacher who is now a psychologist in the district. I began teaching in DVUSD in 2010, and continued this path until I completed my internship in Deer Valley at a K-8 school (Stetson Hills School) during the 2019-2020 school year. In 2017, I earned my Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, and then in 2020, I earned my Ed.S. from NAU. My internship year was amazing! I learned more that year, than I had in all of my previous years of school. Not to mention, I formed some amazing bonds with the other interns and supervisors.. I can't say enough good things about the district or the psych intern program. It has prepared me beyond belief even in these difficult times. I am committed to our DVUSD students and the field of psychology, and I feel like I could have never gotten to where I am today, without my DVUSD family supporting me all the way.

Jose Sainz-Cortez, Ed.S. Ottawa University

I initially chose DVUSD for my practicum because I wanted to get out of my zone. I wanted to experience a different culture and work with a different population. With my practicum experience I felt welcomed and supported by the school psychologist group. They were willing to help me expand my experiences and my knowledge. I then decided to continue with the DVUSD family for my intern program. I continued to feel supported and kept being reassured that I was doing the right thing. This is why I continue to choose DVUSD because of the support I continue to receive in hopes of helping me become a one of a kind School Psychologist.

Bryan Putzke, Ed.S. University of Arizona

Hello! I am a former intern who attended the University of Arizona's School Psychology Ed.S program. I completed my second year practicum experiences at Paradise Valley and Dysart, and attended my final internship year with DVUSD. Despite the unique challenges of starting an internship in 2020, I am well supported to ensure my success during this year of training. Specifically, the training program and community within DVUSD is extremely welcoming and eager to help support me throughout my learning. I truly feel apart of a team when working alongside my supervisors, fellow interns, and employed school psychologists within the district.

Sara Eley, Ed.S. Northern Arizona University

Hi Y’all! I am a former school psychologist intern at Deer Valley Unified School District and absolutely love my experience thus far. My journey to become a school psychologist started during my undergrad in Nebraska, which is where I am from originally. After moving to Arizona in 2016, I knew I wanted to pursue my graduate career in school psychology. I enrolled in the Ed.S program at Northern Arizona University and currently attend classes at the North Valley campus in Phoenix. I completed my practicum in DVUSD and really enjoyed the community and close relationships that the school psychologists had with one another. I was able to get a wide variety of experiences and always felt supported. My supervisors are simply AMAZING and they do everything they can to ensure we have the right tools, information, and assistance when needed. You will find a whole team of school psychologists, supervisors, interns, and DVUSD staff that encourage your success every step of the way. Even though COVID-19 has brought many uncertainties and challenges during my 20-21 internship year, I know I could not be doing this without my DVUSD family and their unending support!

Crystal Macias, Ed.S.

Northern Arizona University

I am a graduate student in the EdS School Psychology program. Formerly, I was an elementary/middle school teacher, in Arizona, for eight years. For three of those eight years, I worked at a Native-serving school that taught culturally responsive practices. So when I was searching for internship programs, I was intentional with my research. I chose Deer Valley Unified School District because of their amazing child-centered programs, inclusion, and PBIS programs. I also chose DVUSD because of its wonderful reputation of quality supervision. Since my time here, I know I made the right decision. Not only is the district well established but the internship program exceeds my expectations. All of the psychologists are wonderful, graceful, and have strong integrity.

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