Special Education

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year @ Copper Creek Elementary.  Thank you for choosing such a wonderful school for you and your family.  We are glad you are here!

My name is David Landis.  This will be my 20th year teaching special education.  I take pride in having open communication with my students and their parents/guardians.  I believe in a "team" approach when working with families.  Together, we can have a successful school year! My personal mission statement has always been, "you can't help everyone everywhere, but can help someone somewhere."  I look forward to working with you and your family for years to come!   

**Background Information:

I have worked with Special Education students in grades 6th, 7th, 8th for 8 years in the Kyrene School District.

I have worked with Special Education students in grades K-6 for 11 years in the Deer Valley Unified School District.

In 2013-2014, I received the "Above & Beyond", Teacher of Excellence award in the Kyrene School District.

In 2018-2019, I was nominated for a "Teacher of the Year" award by a parent in the Deer Valley Unified School District.

In 2018-2024, I was a (SES) Special Education Strategist for 6 years in the Deer Valley Unified School District.  I was able to help lead, mentor, guide and oversee all of the day to day operations for our wonderful special education team @ Copper Creek!

**Training Certificates:

STEM Integration

Structured English Immersion (SEI)

Learning Engineering through Design (@ ASU)

Behavior Education Research and Technology (BERT)

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) 

Systems 44/Read 180 Reading Intervention Program

95% Reading Intervention Program

Sanford Harmony Social/Emotional Program

Do the Math

Math 180

Welcome to Copper Creek!  I am glad that you have chosen a school where your children are loved, embraced, and challenged. 

I look forward to working and learning with you.

My name is Ashley Roush.  I received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University.  I received my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Autism from Arizona State University as well.  I am going into my 19th year here at Copper Creek. I have taught 4th graders in the general education setting for thirteen years. After 13 years, I switched gears to work with special needs chidren.  I have called Copper Creek my teaching home my entire career.  Both of my children attended Copper Creek since preschool.  It is a school that I am proud to be a part of due to the collaboration, expectations of success, and relationships that have been cultivated.  Copper Creek is truly an amazing place to be!

  I believe that children bring a unique and special gifts to the world. They will give back to the world what was put into them.  My hope is that they will see learning as a journey, not a destination.

I am a 28 year veteran special education teacher.

I have been a teacher  in all areas of the continuum in special education.

My students are my children.

I also have my Early Childhood endorsement.

I am also a mother of two older boys   and I am also a grandmother.

Hello! My name is Karlie Stylinski and I am a special education teacher here at Copper Creek. This year I will be working in 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 6th grade. 

I received my bachelors degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Northern Arizona University. This is my fourth year as a teacher at Copper Creek! I am excited to be working with all the amazing students and staff this year. I look forward to having a fun and successful school year!

DVUSD Rookie of the Year 2021-2022

Hi everyone! My name is Laura Ahlin, and I am so excited about going into my fourth year of teaching and my fourth year here at Copper Creek as a special education teacher!  

I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Special and Elementary Education in 2022. My last three years at Copper Creek, I have worked with students in grades K-5. I believe that all students should be given the opportunity to learn in a safe, loving, and nurturing environment.  In addition, students should be given the tools they need to help them grow to the greatest extent possible. I want to help them by building confidence and strategies they can utilize for years to come. During my first year of teaching (2022-2023), I was nominated for the Deer Valley Educational Foundation Rookie of the Year award. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Grand Canyon University and will graduate in Winter 2025. 

 A little bit more about me! I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but I was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, until I came to Arizona for college. Lions are my favorite animal, but dogs are my favorite pet. I have my own dog, an Australian Cattle Dog Mix/Mutt, named Jessie. We love going on long walks! My all-time favorite movie is Toy Story 2. In my free time, I love to read or go shopping. I love all the colors, but if I had to pick three, they would be pink, green, and yellow. My favorite subject in school was Social Studies, and I even got a minor in History when I was in college. Spring is my favorite season for the flowers and rain (even though too much rain doesn’t happen in Phoenix). I have played the clarinet since I was in middle school, and was even in the marching band at NAU. 

I cannot wait for a fun and successful year of learning with the students at Copper Creek! Go Bobcats!

Hi! My name is Kéli (Kaylee) Janzen and I am one of the special education resource teachers that works with K-3rd grade.  This is my 3rd year at Copper Creek and I love being here!  I graduated from GCU with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. My past experience includes interning and substitute teaching at charter, private, and public schools across the Phoenix area, as well as in-home respite and habilitation services for clients with autism through Arion Care Solutions.  

A little about me….I am originally from Templeton, CA, but came over to AZ to go to Grand Canyon University.  Although I miss the family in CA, I love the people and outdoors activities that I have found here. Some of my favorite activities are taking people to the lake with paddleboards, traveling with friends/family, reading, and doing Bible study. My favorite animal is a Panda and my favorite place I visited this summer was Boston. 

I am so looking forward to seeing my returning students, as well as meeting new students and their families. Parent/teacher communication is highly important to me and I appreciate you reaching out to me with any questions or concerns about your student’s education. Email is the best way to get a hold of me and I look forward to hearing from you!