Staff of Native American Student Services

Roxanne Begay-James
Director

I am Diné and grew up on the Navajo reservation. I am of the Zuni Edgewater clan, born for the Folded Arms People. My maternal grandparents are the Manygoats clan, and my paternal grandparents are the Bitterwater clan. I love to read! I enjoy reading to my daughter and read the newspaper every day. I have always known that I was going to work in education. I love my job and serving our students, parents and community members.

Felicia León
Program Coordinator
 

Felicia León is a 7th generation Tucsonan, mother, and 30+ year educator with a passion for diversity and inclusion in our schools. Felicia
has always worked in diverse communities in Arizona, Texas, and California. Her daughter, Nizhóní (Diné), and her experiences over the years in Native American Studies has been central to her work. Felicia is certified in Elementary Education (K-8) and endorsed in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Ages 8/grade 3) and Spanish Bilingual (PreK – 12). Felicia graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in Bilingual Elementary Education and minor in Spanish. In her free time, Felicia serves her community on the Barrio Anita Taskforce. Her interests include: Mariachi Music, Southwest Literature, Native American Poetry, Star Wars and Civil Rights history.

Sydney Holiday
MTSS Facilitator

My name is Sydney Holiday. I am the Multi-Tiered System Support (MTSS) Facilitator for Native American Student Services. I am Diné originally from Tuba City, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. I have resided in Tucson for many years. I obtained my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at the University of Arizona. I previously taught 3rd grade for 4 years on the Tohono O'odham Nation. My passion in my educational career has always been to serve our Native students and families. In my current position, I do my best to ensure our Native students are receiving support academically, social emotionally and behaviorally through the MTSS process. 

Erica Romero
MTSS Facilitator

Erica Romero is an MTSS facilitator with TUSD, with experience working for the Department of Child Safety since 2015 and most recently was a community counselor with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Erica holds a bachelor's in psychology, a Master of Human Services and is currently working on a Doctorate of Human Services and Board Certification Behavioral Analyst. Her passions include helping children succeed to the best of their ability and ensuring that families get the services and assistance they need to make the needed behavioral changes to raise
the next generation to be kind, loving and functioning members of society. In her work with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, she has learned many cultural aspects that have enhanced preventive factors in keeping the native families intact. When not working she enjoys traveling with her nine children and her husband to beaches and taking camping trips.

Jean Luke Pereira
Behavioral Specialist

Hello, My Name is Jean Luke Pereira. I am originally from Nogales AZ. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Human Services from the University of Arizona. My work experience has been in Behavioral Health providing services to support individuals in accomplishing their physical, mental health goals and most importantly improve their quality of life. I am currently working as a Behavior Specialist with Native American Student Services for Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) where I work as a team in supporting students and finding ways to improve behavior concerns to improve academic goals. I look forward in continuing to work with TUSD staff and find solutions for the students we serve.

Brianna Camacho
Student Success Specialist

Greetings, my name is Brianna Camacho and I work with Native American Student Services within the Tucson Unified School District. I am a Student Success Specialist and I serve Miller Elementary school. I work with Native American students who need extra academic, and behavioral support. I also support students with improving their school attendance. In addition, I also work collaboratively with principals and MTSS facilitators/coordinators at my sites as well as NASS to ensure the academic success of my Native students. I am Pascua Yaqui; I graduated from The University of Arizona and enjoy working within the educational field. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and 2 young daughters. I look forward to working with my families and students for the remainder of the 2023-2024 academic school year.
 

Anita Cuellar
Student Success Specialist

My name is Anita Cuellar, and I am a Student Success Specialist for the Native American Student Services Department. I graduated from the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s in Business Administration and a master’s in Educational Leadership. I provide academic, behavior, attendance, and mentor support. I collaborate with the administrators, teachers, and staff to ensure student success. I look forward to working with my students and families.

Jolene Jose
Student Success Specialist

S-keg Tas! Good Day! I am currently serving, Safford K-8, and Mansfeld Middle School, Pueblo high school, and anywhere as needed. I am a co-sponsor for the Tribal Images Youth Council. I am Tohono O’odham and a native Tucsonan. I love spending time with friends and family, as well as traveling. I enjoy what I do and am always excited to meet new students and help the Native American population achieve their goals.

Feliciana Martinez
Instructional Specialist

Lios Enchim Ania. Greetings! My name is Feliciana Martinez, and I am a member of the Pascua Yaqui Nation from the Old Pascua community. I live with my family. I have worked for Tucson Unified for 30 years, and I am the Instructional Specialist for the Native American Student Services (NASS) department. I currently work at the Southwest Education Center. I serve elementary schools upon teacher request, providing Yaqui and other Arizonan Native art lessons for students in grades Kindergarten through 5th. I am also responsible for creating the NASS high school graduation gift – a Yaqui Deer Dancer sculpture with the Tohono O’odham Nation “Man in the Maze” background that represents the NASS logo. I enjoy working with your children. Lios em Chokui. Thank you. 

Juanita Mesquita
Student Success Specialist

My name is Juanita B. Mesquita. I have the pleasure of being a Student Success Specialist with Native American Student Services. I have been working with the Tucson Unified School District for 34 years. As a Student Success Specialist, I support our Native American students and families through their educational journey. I work in collaboration with our families, schools, district, community, and tribes. I am an enrolled member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and reside on the Pascua Yaqui Reservation. I am the proud mother of Richard 38 years old, Julian 30 years old and Thomas 18 years old. I also have six grandchildren, Hailo, Rainen, Serene, Zafrina, Eufemia and Yaritza. I look forward to an amazing school year!

Denice Tsinajinie
Student Success Specialist

Yá'át'ééh (Hello in Navajo), My name is Denice Tsinajinie. I come from the Navajo Nation I grew up in Saint Michaels, Arizona. My clans are Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People), To’tsohnii (Big Water), Kinyaa’aanii (Towering House), and Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Studies with a minor in Psychology from the University of Arizona. I am currently employed with Native American Student Services (NASS) as Student Success Specialist for Tucson Unified School District (TUSD).
My family has been a huge impact on my education path especially after high school. I understand the challenges and hardships of pursuing an education at a university level, but with the right support system anything is possible.
I am very excited to work with indigenous students across TUSD. I enjoy motivating, empowering, collaborating, and guiding indigenous students to higher education or careers they will be successful in. I look forward to a great school year with the students and their families!

Denia White
Student Success Specialist

Greetings, my name is Mrs. Dénia White. I am part of Native American Student Services in Tucson Unified School District.
I am very excited to work as a Student Success Specialist, supporting American Indians/Alaska Native Students across TUSD who need extra academic and behavioral support within the classroom. 
Passion, being humble, having patience and resilience are traits that I believe most reflect me as an individual. I believe this is the key to being successful in any endeavor, especially in education. I enjoy collaborating with faculty, staff, and student leaders to brainstorm new ideas and discover ways to better serve our students. I strongly believe, “It’s about strengthening student success”.
I look forward to a wonderful school year with our students and their families! I’m really excited about it.