Staff - Open Doors Center

Open Doors Center's staff are highly qualified adults with various teaching backgrounds. These adults see the potential in each child and reach out to assist the children in reaching their highest potential. We see the value of learning the traditional subjects, but also know that education reaches far beyond math, history, and reading. Education encompasses the whole child. It is the staff's goal to assist each child as an individual, honoring each student's uniqueness and process.

Terry Damlos

Greetings. I am very excited to have our doors opening January 19, 2010. I would like to share some information about myself with you. I have 20 years of experience in the educational field as both a counselor and a teacher. My bachelor degree is in Social Work, I am a certified teacher, and my Master's is in Education and Curriculum. I have four wonderful children, each with their own gifts and challenges. Through my experience I have observed a need to create an educational environment that focuses on the childrens' passions, hands-on experiential opportunities, nature, and service oriented experiences. Children need to be involved in the process. Through discovery, with the teacher as a guide, knowledge is acquired. I look forward to working with your children and offering this opportunity to put the "JOY AND WONDER" back into learning.

Enrichment Teachers

Karen Coulter was born in Hawaii and attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado as a Fine Arts major. Karen enjoys photography and nature crafts, incorporating the outdoors and bringing it together so other people can make their own interpretations of her work. Karen will be guiding art class on Tuesday mornings.

Chad Robins joins us as our Wednesday afternoon martial arts instructor. Chad holds a third degree black belt in Taekwando, has a unique approach to teaching martial arts and fitness activities, and works with the special needs of each child. As well as general fitness training, Chad counsels on nutrition, physical and mental awareness, and offers classes in relaxation techniques, yoga, self-defense and mental discipline. Chad believes in including all children no matter what their ability level and helps them feel successful.

Ashley Faulkner is an Arizona native with a strong passion for acting and music. Working in many mediums, Ashley will always find her way to a film set or a stage. Ashley is currently a student at Arizona State University and Glendale Community College combining a study of Sociology with Theatre Performance. Ashley will be guiding theatre class on Friday mornings.