Our Mission
Story Autism Center believes that every child, regardless of ability, has the right to an individualized and effective education in a setting where their dignity is upheld, and their unique strengths and interests are encouraged.
What we do
We provide individualized, research-based education and behavioral support in a warm, structured environment where every child’s dignity, strengths, and potential are honored.
Through collaboration with families and a dedicated team of educators and clinicians, we help students develop academic abilities, communication skills, and life skills that support meaningful progress at school, at home, and in the community.
What started as St. Dominic Savio Academy, a nonprofit day school, has evolved into Story Autism Center — a place where every child’s journey is respected as a unique story still being written.
The name Story reflects a belief that an autism diagnosis is not the end of possibility — it is the beginning of a new chapter filled with growth, discovery, and potential.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Our Story
Meet the Team
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Executive Director and Founder
Corinna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Low Incidence Special Education from Northern Arizona University, where she also completed her post-graduate ABA coursework. She has a graduate certificate in Positive Behavior Support and has worked with children with autism since 2001. After several years of teaching children with autism, Corinna decided to pursue her dream of opening a non-profit day school.
For years, Corinna saw a need in the community for a program that would meet the complex needs of students with autism, while giving them the skills they need to be independent, in a traditional school environment. Three years later, St. Dominic Savio Academy was born. When not at school, she enjoys reading, gardening, home projects, and spending time with her husband and five children.
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Office Manager
Cami spent the majority of her career in the wine and spirits industry in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After relocating to Arizona in 2024, she felt it was the right time to take a new direction and lean into what she’s always enjoyed most - building meaningful relationships. When Cami’s not at work, she’s most likely watching a soccer or baseball game……or driving one of her kids to practice.
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Clinic Administrator
Ryan was raised in New Mexico and graduated from college there in 2016. He moved to Arizona in 2018 to pursue a job billing Applied Behavior Analysis services - something he has done ever since. Ryan is committed to helping the clinic run as effectively as possible, and to providing assistance in any way needed. In his free time, Ryan enjoys watching and playing golf, bowling, and listening to music.
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Development Director
Sarah joined the team in 2016 as an executive assistant to Corinna, and a few years later, transitioned into her role as Development Director. She enjoys finding the organization support through grant writing and fundraising, and capturing our programs in action by managing the social media accounts. Over the years, her favorite part of her job has been getting to know the incredible families at Story Autism Center. She values the unique, small, family feel at Story and loves the role she gets to play in advancing its mission. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her young family.
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Director of Special Education
Heather was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from Greenway High School in 2007. After high school she attended Arizona State University, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2011. A couple of short years later she received her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis. She has now been with St. Dominic’s since 2012, starting off as an instructional assistant, then becoming a lead teacher for several years to then the Director of Special Education. Outside of SDSA her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family, in her garden or in a good book.
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Director of Behavior Services
Samantha holds her Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton. During her final year of college, she took a class on Autism that sparked a deep interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This was the start of her path toward a career supporting individuals with diverse learning needs.
After graduating, Samantha began working for an ABA company providing in-home services to adolescents and teenagers. She later moved to Arizona and joined Story Autism Center (formerly St. Dominic Savio Academy) as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). Samantha started in the high school classroom and soon became the lead therapist. Her dedication, compassion and love for helping students grow inspired her to further her career in Behavior Analysis, becoming a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysis (BCaBA).
Samantha now serves as the Director of Behavior Analytic Services, where she is passionate about supporting positive and meaningful change for the students and families she works with.
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending quality time with her family.
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Upper School Lead Teacher
Michelle grew up just a few miles from SDSA and graduated from Corona Del Sol High School. After graduation, She moved to Flagstaff to attend NAU, where She received a BA in music and a double minor in psychology and studio art. She and her husband Travis moved back down to the valley for her growing family to be closer to grandparents and they had her 5th baby in 2025.
Michelle started working at SDSA in 2020 and quickly fell in love. After being a therapist and lead therapist in the classroom for two years, she started training to transition to teacher and went back to school to get her teaching certificate from Rio Salado. She always finds so much joy in singing with the kids and doing art projects because of her background in the arts.
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Navi is an early elementary educator originally from Illinois, where she began her career teaching kindergarten and quickly fell in love with helping young learners grow. She now brings that same passion into her classroom every day, creating a warm, structured space where kids feel supported, celebrated, and excited to learn. Navi is all about those full-circle moments—watching her students gain confidence, build skills, and truly come into their own over the year. Outside of school, she loves soaking up the sun and exploring new places.
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Behavioral Support Specialist
Mychelle has been in the field of ABA for about 10 years and has 20 years of experience in the field of autism. She received her RBT certification a few short years after starting with us here. Most of her experience comes from her younger brother who was diagnosed at the age of 2 and is 21 currently. Mychelle graduated high school in 2015 and attended ASU for two years. She is the Behavioral Support Specialist here at Story Autism and has been with us since 2019. She enjoys helping her students further their independent skills and finding new and engaging things that bring happiness and meaning to their lives, as well as new and enjoyable coping strategies that fit their specific needs. Her favorite part of being with us is seeing the joy on her clients faces when they learn something new!
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Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Emma Maas is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst at Story Autism Center who is passionate about building meaningful relationships with children and families. She is dedicated to supporting each child in creative, compassionate, and impactful ways, with a focus on helping them develop communication, school readiness, and social-emotional skills. Emma takes a holistic, collaborative approach to care—considering each child’s unique strengths, environment, and support system while partnering closely with families and providers. She began her career as an RBT in home and community settings and has since focused on clinic-based services and clinical program development. Emma has called Arizona home since 2018 and previously lived in various parts of the country including Southern California, Colorado, and the Washington, D.C. area. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, working on home design projects, traveling, and finding simple ways to make everyday life feel meaningful.
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Clinical Coordinator
Gracie was raised in Wyoming and moved to Arizona in 2021 after graduating high school. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently in her final semester of her Master’s in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. As Clinical Coordinator at Story Autism Center, Gracie is passionate about supporting learners to become the best versions of themselves. She believes in empowering individuals through naturalistic teaching, focusing on improving their confidence and self-advocacy for applicability in their future settings to promote independence and growth. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and going to the lake to paddleboard.
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Director of Childcare and Preschool
Michelle has spent over 25 years working with young children and believes deeply in the value of early learning. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has completed more than 200 hours of specialized training. In Wyoming, she operated a thriving in home childcare program for over ten years before relocating to Arizona for her husband’s career.
After relocating to Arizona in 2021, Michelle joined St. Dominic Savio Academy as a Toddler Teacher, became Lead Preschool Teacher in 2022, and was named Director of Childcare and Preschool in 2023. She is passionate about creating a nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to explore and grow. Outside of school, Michelle enjoys reading, going to the movies, and spending time with her family.
Board of Directors
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Angelika Doebler
Attorney - Davis Miles McGuire Gardner
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Corinna Ndolo, M.Ed., BCBA-LBA
Chief Executive Officer
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Helen Hayes
Formerly Vice President of Headmaster Development - Great Hearts America
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Julia Gillingham
Senior Director of Professional Development - Great Hearts Academies
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Thomas Doebler
Senior National Director of Exceptional Student Services - Great Hearts Academies
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Willard E. White, PhD
Of Counsel - Marts&Lundy