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.
Rachel Ruder
Program Coordinator
I was born and raised in Tucson, AZ and am a TUSD Legacy – Catalina High School class of 2000! I attended the University of Arizona during my undergraduate career, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History. I started my teaching career in a high school World History class. Next, I completed my Master of Education degree in Elementary Education at the Northern Arizona University campus in Yuma, AZ. I continued my teaching career at elementary and middle schools in Yuma and San Luis, AZ. Then, I returned to graduate school and earned a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership at the Northern Arizona University Tucson campus. After 11 years, I transitioned from being a classroom teacher to a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Facilitator. I served as an MTSS Facilitator at Cragin Elementary, Safford K-8, Roberts-Naylor K-8, and Utterback Middle. I’m excited to be a part of the Native American Student Services department, and I look forward to serving our students and their families!
Callista Radloff
MTSS Facilitator
As an elementary teacher and high school guidance counselor, I have always been driven by a passion for supporting students and families while helping students develop self-confidence and reach their potential. I am very excited to be part of the Native American Student Services department and look forward to supporting Native American student success as the Multi-Tiered System of Support Facilitator.
I hold undergraduate degrees from Pima Community College and Eastern Oregon University, as well as a graduate degree from Northern Arizona University. My husband and I travel the world at every opportunity and love experiencing and appreciating other cultures around the globe.
Cheryl Morales
MTSS Facilitator
I am originally from Michigan but came to Tucson in order to teach. My experience has been mainly in 1st and 2nd grades at Title 1 schools. My heart called for me to go where I was needed the most. That is why I am beyond excited to be part of the Native American Student Services department. I hope to be instrumental in helping our Native American succeed as a Multi-Tiered System of Support Facilitator.
I graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a minor in Social Studies. Learning about history and other cultures has always been a passion of mine. More recently I have been spending a great deal of time traveling around Peru since my son moved there over 5 years ago.
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.
Angelyssa Figueroa
Student Success Specialist
My name is Angelyssa Figueroa, and this is my first year as a TUSD employee! I am a Student Success Specialist for the department of Native American Student Services and hope to serve the Native American youth at Alice Vail middle school and Doolen middle school. I was born and raised in Tucson but received my Bachelor’s in Psychology from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. My experience is with elementary aged children, and I have also worked at an autism therapy center. My goal is to help students feel supported, appreciated, and cared for. I am very excited to work with students and their families!
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.
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 Johnson Primary, Maldonado Elementary, and White Elementary schools. I work with Native American students who need extra academic and behavioral support within the classroom. In addition, I also work collaboratively with principals and MTSS facilitators/coordinators at my sites 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, little daughter, and we are awaiting the arrival of another baby girl. I look forward to working with my families and students this academic 2021-2022 school year.
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.
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!
Feliciana Martinez
Student Success 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.
John Rossman
Student Success Specialist
Hello, my name is John Rossman, and I am a Student Success Specialist for the NASS here at TUSD. I am a world-travelling Tucson Native, and a former TUSD student, as well.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Global & Intercultural Understanding and a Master of Education degree in Teaching and Techer Education. I taught science to sixth graders for several years at Gridley Middle School but am extremely excited to move over to Native American Student Services.
The NASS department is incredibly family oriented and extremely helpful to TUSD students and their families. I feel very privileged to be an integral part of the NASS team!
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.
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 32 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 35 years old, Julian 28 years old and Thomas 15 years old. I also have six grandchildren, Hailo, Rainen, Serene, Zafrina, Eufemia and Yaritza.
I look forward to an amazing school year!
Priscilla Flores
Student Success Specialist
Lios enchim aniavu. Greetings! My name is Priscilla Flores. I am part of the Native American Student Department and currently serve middle schools, (Dodge, Morgan Maxwell, Pistor and Valencia). I am a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona and was born and raised in the community of Old Pascua. I have served Tucson Unified for the better part of my life, teaching at Johnson Primary, and serving the Department in various capacities. I graduated from the University of Arizona and completed my master's degree in Educational Leadership at Northern Arizona University's extended campus. I am an alum of Tucson Unified along with my grown children and many nieces and nephews. My younger children and grandchildren attend Tucson Unified schools as well. I look forward to working with our students and their families as I have had the pleasure of watching many of them grow over the years and become parents. It has been an honor to see so many of them become successful adults. I am excited to see what good our children will do next!