Classroom Teacher Profiles

Janet Bicknese, Kindergarten
Janet Bicknese, B.A. in Dance and Arts for Children, Arizona Teacher Certification, has been involved in public education for the past 25 years. As a California Arts Council grant recipient, early in her career, she served as an Artist in Residence, teaching in numerous schools as an integrated arts dance educator. She also worked as a consultant for the San Diego County Department of Education training teachers and administrators in dance education. As the founder and director of “Literature Alive,” a performing arts troupe bringing books to life, Janet performed regionally in California and then, upon relocating to Arizona, brought “Literature Alive” to Prescott.

Janet was one of the founders of Skyview School and has served in a variety of roles during her affiliation with the school including, Board Member, Integrated Arts Coordinator, and Director. Janet has been married for 28 years and has two teenage children, both of whom attended Skyview’s full K-8 program.

Emeline Phipps, Kindergarten
Emeline Phipps, B.A. in Elementary Education and Visual Arts, Arizona K-8 Teacher Certification and Art Endorsement, has worked with children in a variety of capacities and settings including teaching at an international school in Japan and facilitating outdoor leadership programs across the United States. Emeline is passionate about education and proudly brings her experience and enthusiasm to our youngest Skyview School learners. Emma’s young son attends Skyview School as well.

David McNelly, Primary
At the center of David's teaching is the belief that being compassionate with others and ourselves is a gateway to genuine learning. His teaching draws from his experiences as a father, a musician and avid outdoorsman. Prior to teaching at Skyview, David
received his B.A. in Elementary Education from Prescott College, where he obtained foundational knowledge in Expeditionary Learning and experiential education.

Mary Layman, Primary
At the core of Mary’s being is a scientist, an investigator of the natural world. Mary holds a B.S. in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Environmental Science. Prior to her association with Skyview School, Mary served as the Director of Willow Bend Environmental Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. In this capacity she designed and taught science curriculum to children, young adults, and teachers throughout the Northern Arizona.

Kathryn Miedema, Intermediate
Kathryn Miedema received her BA from Long Island University in Interdisciplinary Studies. Later, she completed her MA in Education and teacher certification through Prescott College. Her interests lie in an interdisciplinary approach to agricultural education. Kathryn served as a teacher’s aid in various classrooms in California before she came to Skyview as a student teacher. She has a love for learning and teaching through the multiple intelligences as well as projects-based instruction.

Alexys Roberts, Intermediate 5-6

Pam Robbins, Middle School
Pam holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, M.A. in Elementary Education and holds dual endorsements in Gifted Education and Reading. She is a member and mathematics teacher trainer for the North Central Arizona Math and Science Consortium. She is also part of the Teachers Developmental Group and consults as a teacher trainer for the Northern Arizona Writers Project.

Michelle Jennings, Dance and Math
Michelle Jennings has a BA in Community Studies with a minor in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She received her K-8 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Chapman University in Monterey, California. She has been a dancer most of her life starting with ballet at age 4. Throughout college she studied dance with an emphasis on creative movement and improvisation, and also gained experience in Tap, Martial Arts, Modern, Jazz/Lyrical, African, Latin, and Hip-Hop. Throughout her teaching career she has worked in the public and private school sectors, teaching Physical Education with an emphasis on cooperative learning and movement/dance. In the public school in California she also taught 4th-8th grade, and most recently was the Program Coordinator at a private school for the gifted in Santa Cruz, California, which included coordinating the after school, summer and break programs, special events and celebrations, and Co-Directing the end of the year Drama Performances for K-6th grade. She brings with her a great love of children and a love for movement and the arts.

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