Travis Harris
Director of Special Education
Travis Harris joined Gompers Private School (GPS) in December 2016. As an administrator, he supervises teachers, oversees curriculum and meets with representatives of all the public-school districts GPS supports.
Travis is a native to Arizona. He received dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education from Arizona State University in 2008.
He has over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with special needs as a paraprofessional, special education teacher, Special Olympics coach, caregiver and certified crisis prevention/intervention instructor. He believes education is one of the most important tools a person can have in life and works with each person to reach their full potential.
Ms. Jasmyn Gonzalez
Special Education Teacher
Jasmyn Gonzalez joined Gompers Private School (GPS) in July 2019. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in both elementary and special education from Grand Canyon University. She is certified to teach grades K-12, mid to moderate and moderate.
Ms. Jasmyn Gonzalez is extremely passionate in working with individuals with disabilities. She focuses on seeing their ability. Jasmyn hopes to empower individuals with disabilities and set them up for success.
Jasmyn was born and raised in Arizona, has three dogs, enjoys going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends.
Ms. Taylor Blascak
Special Education Teacher
Taylor Blascak joined Gompers Private School (GPS) in July 2019. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science from Ashland University in Ohio in 2016. She is certified to teach K-12, mild to moderate & moderate to intensive classrooms.
Prior to teaching Gompers’ high school classroom, Ms. Taylor taught in Ohio at a school for students with severe developmental disabilities. She has extreme passion and dedication for her career.
Ms. Taylor is married and has one dog, Bruno. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing board and card games, and shopping.
Mrs. Candice Steel
Assistive Technology Specialist
Candice M. Steel received her Bachelor of Science in Speech/Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University in 2003. She began her studies in Music and Speech/Hearing Sciences at The University of Arizona and has taken graduate level course work through Northern Arizona University’s Interdisciplinary Program for Assistive Technology.
Mrs. Steel brings 11 years of experience in Speech-Language Pathology plus four years of field work with mild to severe/profound developmental disabilities in private, charter and public schools. Her expertise has afforded Mrs. Steel opportunities to collaborate on developing and implementing inclusive service delivery models focusing on the importance of life skills curriculum for K-8 self-contained students. Mrs. Steel has received training in various aspects of assistive technology, speech/language techniques, behavior analysis/management and leadership. Assistive Technology has been an integral part of her approach to learning and using functional communication since the start of her career; “it’s the key that unlocks the smallest of possibilities for someone.”
Mrs. Steel is married, has a son, 2 dogs, a cat and a fish. She enjoys getting outdoors, nutrition and spending time with family and friends.